State Rep. Trent Ashby gave a little preview of what’s going on at the state capitol when he spoke to the Livingston Lions Club Wednesday. Ashby is the representative for House District 9 which includes Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler counties.
Lion Andy Evans introduced Ashby.
“We’re excited to have him with us today. He is a fellow Lion in Lufkin. He grew up in Henderson and is an A&M grad. He and his wife, Nikki, have two sons – one is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the other is a student at Texas A&M University,” Evans said.
“In January, we go into the 89th session of the Texas Legislature and there’s a lot going on in the State of Texas. When I spoke to you last year, I told you that Texas was the ninth largest economy in the world. Now, it is the eighth largest economy on this planet. The Texas economy continues to outperform.
“This summer, we’ve been meeting with different committees in Austin working on interim charges,” he said, adding that he chairs the culture, recreation and tourism committee, and sits on the educational opportunity and enrichment committee and the transportation committee.
Using the transportation committee as an example, Ashby shared some of the challenges the lawmakers face.
“Technology continues to make strides in the direction of autonomous and semi-autonomous and AI vehicles. We have to provide some vision to how we handle this without creating a hazard on our highways,” he said.
“The only bill we’re required to pass every two years is the budget. That really sets the tone – from where we have a surplus, how do we prudently and wisely invest the money for the state of Texas, or if we have a deficit, how we’re going to cut things. Since I’ve been in the legislature, we don’t even spend all the money. We like to leave some.
“The budget is controlled by how much the state comptroller of public accounts tells us we have to spend. So far, we’ve been told there will be at least a $20-plus billion surplus over what we’ve spent this session,” Ashby said.
“Probably the biggest disappointment for me last year was pulling down on our commitment to adequately fund our public schools. If we don’t get education right in the State of Texas, nothing else matters. Our children are our seed stock. We have not increased school finance since 2019 and it’s high time we take some of this money and make a reasonable difference for our public schools,” he said.
“One of the things I hear is that property taxes are too high. We took $18 billion of that $32 billion surplus and put into property tax relief and you voted on it.
“Property tax relief and public education are my top priorities. We have got to have appraisal reform. It’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have to think outside the box,” he said
“Border security will continue to be a top priority next session. It’s a shame that we’re having to do the job of the federal government. Everybody wants to feel safe and secure,” he said.
Ashby said that electricity and the power grid will be a priority and that AI, bitcoin mining and a lot of new industry are putting a strain on the electric grid.
“We’ve been told we’re going to have a water session. We’re back in a drought, which is hard to believe because earlier this year, we were experiencing historical flooding.
“We’re all emotionally impacted by the tragedy of Audrii Cunningham. We have to do something to prevent this from ever happening again in the State of Texas. I do look forward to filing a bill this session called Audrii’s Law,” he said.
Ashby spoke of his good working relationship with Sen. Robert Nichols.
“Sen. Nichols makes my job easy. He and I have a great relationship. I love working with Sen. Robert Nichols. He does a great job for you in Austin.”
In other club business, Lion Sheila Neal made a presentation regarding the Peace Poster Contest.
For over three decades, Lions Clubs around the globe have been sponsoring the International Peace Poster Contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to make an impact on these kids and introduce others to Lions Club. The Peace Poster Contest is put on by Lions International and this year’s theme was ‘Peace Without Limits’ and it was open to children ages 11-13.
Jennifer Birdwell, Livingston ISD’s director of communications, and Kip Robins, Livingston ISD’s director of technology, were guests at the meeting and shared a video of Livingston ISD students that participated in the contest and their thoughts on peace. The contest was handled through Carol Cardona with Texas Ace, an afterschool program administered through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas.
