KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

LUBBOCK, TX (KAMC NEWS) – Are you a fan of South Plains politics? Here are your Talking Points for this week.

With all the talk in Washington about wiretapping and Russian agents who knew all it was take to figure out the mystery was a little testimony about Texas Tech football.

The process of building Lubbock’s outer loop (Loop 88) is now underway but with budget problems in Austin, is it the best time to be asking the state for a loan?

Also this week, why the speaker of the Texas House says the Senate is ‘cooking the books” on it’s budget. Plus we’ll spend five good minutes with Representative Dustin Burrows on why he thinks your gun license should be free.

Talking Points with Bryan Mudd airs each Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday evenings at 11:05 p.m.

Watch the full interview here: http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/talking-points-with-bryan-mudd-32617/680937553

Friday on The Chad Hasty Show, Texas House District 83 Representative Dustin Burrows joined the program broadcasting from Burrows’ office in Austin to talk about current issues in the ongoing 85th Texas Legislature.

Hasty, while opening the show, said: “We are broadcasting today of course from the beautiful Sanctuary City of Austin Texas where, if you light up a cigar, oh no, the SWAT team will arrive, however, if you’re a criminal illegal alien, you can run free all you want.”

Beginning the discussion was the subject of federal overreach, and the recent letter to Washington D.C. upon which Burrows was a signatory.

“We decided that it was time for Washington D.C. to hear from the states, or at least some of us in the state, what we think is best for health care, which is, ‘Give us back the power,’” Burrows said, describing the premise of the letter.

Burrows continued, saying:

If we look at these last elections, where people, forty five percent of the country wakes up depressed and feeling the world is falling apart, well maybe it’s because D.C. has too much power. Maybe it’s because the presidency has too much going on in it. And so my idea how we actually get back to all living together, if California wants to do their thing culturally, un-conservative, and bad economic policy, let them. But at the same time let Texas have as much control over it’s destiny as possible. We welcome that opportunity, we welcome that responsibility, so myself and sixty four of my colleagues, members of the Texas Conservative Coalition sent a letter to the entire delegation including the President and said, ‘Look, just repeal the thing being Obamacare. It’s been a disaster, it’s hurt Texas’ budget, it’s hurt our individual budgets. Let us have the power, and we’ll chart our own course and destiny.

You can watch the first part of Hasty’s interview with Representative Dustin Burrows in the video above, and the other part below.

Read More: Rep. Burrows on Killing License to Carry Fee & Texas School Choice | http://kfyo.com/dustin-burrows-interview-3-24-17/?trackback=tsmclip

KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – While the American Health Care Act awaits a vote on the House Floor, the state of Texas could have a big voice in whether or not this legislation ever hits the desk of President Trump.

District 19 Congressman Jodey Arrington voted for the legislation to go through last week during a hearing in the House Budget Committee.

Meanwhile, many conservatives are still voicing concern that the current legislation doesn’t go far enough.

That is why 65 Texas House and Senate members have signed off on a letter, urging the entire Texas Congressional Delegation in Washington to fully repeal the entire law.

The letter was written by our district’s House Representative, Dustin Burrows, and was just released to the public today.

All signatures are from members of the Texas Conservative Coalition, including our district’s senator, Charles Perry.

The letter asks our state’s representatives at the Federal level to fully repeal Obamacare and to let the states have control back in setting their own health insurance regulations.

“We sent it to all of the Texas senators and all of the Texas congressmen and just stated that the solutions are best left up to the state to come up with. We’ve got great ideas here in Texas and we welcome the responsibility and the opportunity to come up with them,” Representative Burrows said.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jodey Arrington, voted last week to pass the Republican health care legislation forward, despite the current bill not fully repealing Obamacare.

That committee was nearly split, with a tight vote of 19-17 in favor of moving the bill forward.

“I don’t want to overlook, and I don’t think the American people who are conservatives, like those who live primarily in West Texas, should overlook the fact that this is one of three phases or one step in a three-step process to full repeal and fully replace Obamacare,” Congressman Arrington said.

But Burrows and his colleagues who signed on to the letter say they still hope for more control to come back to the states.

“I’m not up there in the debates and I would never tell our congressman how to do his job, but certainly as somebody who is representing the state of Texas who is responsible for the Texas budget, who wants to see more money invested in our schools, our roads and property tax relief I felt compelled to write the letter to urge all of the congressmen to fully repeal it. And give us the opportunity back,” Representative Burrows said.

The legislation will have to receive 218 votes in the House to make its way to the Senate.

Congressman Arrington says he will continue to push for certain provisions, such as creating a work requirement for able-bodied adults who apply for Medicaid.

“I’m not stopping, I’m not slowing down until we get this thing into the best position it can be in for my constituents,” Congressman Arrington said.

When asked if he had read the American Health Care Act in full, Congressman Arrington said he did.

“After the criticism I levied on the Democrats under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi for not reading the bill, passing it to find out what was in it, I wasn’t gonna make that mistake and not read the bill.”

The legislation moves to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, and Arrington says the bill could see a vote on the House floor as soon as this week.

Read more here: http://www.kcbd.com/story/34957715/representative-dustin-burrows-writes-letter-urging-full-repeal-of-obamacare

Sixty-five Texas Legislators sign letter supporting State’s Constitutional right to solve health insurance question

AUSTIN, TX – On Friday, March 17, 65 members of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) signed the attached letter. While the letter speaks for itself, the following comments were made with its release:

TCC President, Representative James Frank (HD-69): “I am proud to stand as one of 65 members of the Texas Legislature and send this letter to our Congressional Delegation and President Trump. Obamacare has caused insurance premiums to historic highs, leaving less revenue in the Texas budget for priorities such as schools, roads and property tax relief. It has also forced Texans to make impossible choices with their household budgets in order to absorbed these huge spikes. This is why I signed the letter calling for its full repeal.”

TCC Vice President, Representative Jason Isaac (HD-45): “If the past seven years have shown us anything, it’s that top-down, one-size-fits-none government mandates don’t work for our health care system. It’s long past time to do away with Obamacare, and I join TCC’s members in looking forward to health care reform that truly reduces costs for hard-working Texans and returns power to the states.”

Representative Dustin Burrows (HD-83): “Conservatives campaign on the need to decentralize Federal power to the States and limited government; and, today is the opportunity for that to happen. I signed this letter because I believe that the solutions are best left up to the States; and, we welcome the opportunity and responsibility to implement market-based reforms.”

For further comments, please contact John Colyandro with the TCC at (512) 474-1798; or, Rep. James Frank at (512) 463-0534; Rep. Jason Issac at (512) 463-0674; or, Rep. Dustin Burrows at (512) 463-0542.

END

Town Talk Radio
March 14, 2017

On Thursday’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show, Texas District 83 Representative Dustin Burrows joined the show to discuss the bill he has introduced into the 85th Texas Legislature, that will require transparency in health care and health care insurance costs.

HB-307 encourages price shopping by health care consumers, and incentivizes competition between providers as well as insurers.

Burrows said of his bill,

I think this is the key to success and bringing down the costs of of health care and health insurance, with something that’s reasonable and affordable.

Burrows also gave a quick run-down on other issues, including progress on CPS, property tax and weapons carry licensing reform.

Listen to the entire interview with Dustin Burrows in the video above.

The Chad Hasty Show airs weekday mornings live, from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM on News/Talk 95.1 FM and 790 AM KFYO, online at KFYO.com, and on the free RadioPup app. Follow Chad on Twitter via @ChadHastyRadio & KFYO Radio at @KFYO!

Read More: Dustin Burrows Pursuing Transparency In Health Care Costs | http://kfyo.com/representative-dustin-burrows-pursuing-transparency-in-health-care-costs-interview/?trackback=tsmclip

 85TH SESSION OF THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE

The 85th Session of the Texas Legislature is well underway. During the first week of February, Governor Abbott delivered his “State of the State Address”, in which he outlined his four emergency legislative priorities: reform of the State’s Child Protective Services (CPS) system; an end to “Sanctuary Cities” that harbor and protect illegal immigrants; support of a Convention of the States to address the strengthening of the 10th Amendment to combat Federal overreach; and ethics reform among state agencies, employee unions and members of the Legislature. I am completely supportive of the Governor’s priorities and I look forward to working on each of these important issues.

Committee and Caucus Assignments

Committee assignments were announced in mid-February, and Speaker Joe Straus has asked that I serve on the Agriculture and Livestock Committee and the Investments and Financial Services Committee. I am honored to serve on these committees on behalf of House District 83, where agriculture and our rural banks and financial institutions are of critical importance. Additionally, my House colleagues have chosen me to serve as a member of the Texas House Republican Caucus Policy Committee. The Caucus Policy Committee is tasked with making sound policy recommendations throughout the session to assist my colleagues as they consider their votes.

Legislative Spotlight

I’m excited to begin work on the Ag and Financial Services Committees, and also ready to push for support of my legislative bills. Of particular note is House Bill 2082 , focusing on our First Responders and their difficulties contending with a complex and unwieldy bureaucracy when they seek help after being injured on the job. Texas First responders put their lives on the line every day and many are injured — some quite severely. These men and women are then left to their own devices as they navigate a complex and confusing workers compensation process. Bill 2082 will create an ombudsman position within the worker’s compensation agency to help these injured police and fireman as they file their claims.

Stay Up to Date

As Session progresses, please visit both my Official House of Representatives web site to learn more about the bills I have filed (and their progress through the Senate and the House) as well as Burrows4Texas.com, where you can keep up with the latest news releases, district news, and events in the District. “Like” my Facebook page and also follow me on Twitter for the latest breaking news from your state capitol. I’m grateful for your support and input, and encourage you to contact my office with your views and concerns. You can email me at [email protected] or call my office at (512) 463-0542.

God bless you and your families, and God bless Texas.

Dustin

By: Natalie Martinez

ABILENE, Texas – Advocates for wounded officers are traveling across Texas to share their battles with workers’ compensation and lobby for two bills currently in the Texas Legislature.

House bills 1688 and 1689 were filed earlier this month by Texas Rep. Dustin Burrows—H.B. 1688 would provide law enforcement with a liaison within the Texas Department of Workers’ Compensation agency and H.B. 1689 would allow law enforcement to take legal action, if necessary, against TDWC.

Mary Duncan, a wife of a wounded officer, has had several meetings with Rep. Burrows and local law enforcement agencies to help get the bills off the ground. She said one of the difficulties with workers’ compensation is the wait.

Her husband, Tommy Duncan, was injured in the line of duty in 1977 while serving the Olney Police Department. She said he was shot in the face with a shotgun and nearly lost his vision.

She said officers need to wait till the agency gave them approval to see the doctor she said or whether or not they can have a procedure.

“It not only hurts that officer, it hurts the family, it hurts their children, it hurts everyone,” Duncan said.

For Jacob Flores, a medically retired Lubbock police officer, TDWC wouldn’t cover his medication. He was injured in the line of duty three years ago during what became his last foot chase.

“You just want to go out there and do what’s good for the community, and being injured is in the back of the mind,” Flores said.

His department was notified of an Amber Alert — Flores encountered the suspect’s vehicle when he got off work and started chasing. Flores broke his tibia after taking a wrong step while running.

Flores’ injury was so severe he almost lost his foot and his body began to form blood clots. He needed blood thinners, but workers’ compensation wouldn’t cover the expense of $800 per month.

“I kept thinking, why was this medication being denied?” he said. “Why was the cost of it of any importance to my health?”

Flores also had to undergo physical therapy, and he needed more than the amount of sessions covered by workers’ comp. So he paid out of pocket, and he still pays for items related to his injury out of pocket to this day. Flores said if it wasn’t for physicians helping walk him through the process of working with workers compensation, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Duncan said the Peace Officers Angels Foundation helps officers in situations like Flores’ but they are the only group in the state that does so.

Read more here: http://www.ktxs.com/news/first-responder-advocates-push-for-house-bill/366635897

LUBBOCK, TX (NEWS RELEASE) – A new campaign is set to launch at the South Plains Food Bank. The “Feed Our Kids. Fuel Our Future.” campaign will initiate a new strategy to combat childhood hunger across the South Plains.  Through fundraising for the campaign, the Food Bank hopes to establish 10 new Kids Cafe sites, distribute 500 more snack packs for school holidays, and prepare 500 more Kids Cafe meals each day. They hope to accomplish these goals over the next five years.

The campaign also seeks to raise $500,000  for Children’s Feeding Programs, and inspire 200 people across the area to commit to become “Child Hunger Advocates” through monthly donations of $30 or more.

According to Feeding America, almost 30,000 children are food-insecure across the South Plains Food Bank’s 20 county service area. That means 1 in 4 children across the South Plains are at risk of going to bed hungry, and that number moves up to 1 in 3 across their rural communities.

State Representative Dustin Burrows understands the need for children to receive adequate nutrition and hopes the community will rally to help the Food Bank achieve their goals with this campaign.
“Children are our most vulnerable population,” Burrows says. “If they don’t have proper and adequate nutrition, they cannot focus and learn and often act out and are disruptive. Children are our future, and while providing adequate nutrition won’t solve all of the world’s problems, it’s a great start to set our children up for success in society.”

Burrows will be advocating for the community to support the Food Bank to ensure children across his district receive proper nutrition.

Someone else who knows the importance of nutrition is Avery McDonald, a student at Kingdom Prep Academy who has raised funds for the Food Bank in the past. She is hoping to motivate students to become more involved in their community.

“I like to sell some of my extra toys and clothes and donate the money to the Food Bank to help kids who might be hungry,” Avery says. “I’m excited because we thought up this idea to get more kids involved by dedicating their birthdays to the Food Bank.”

Individuals can sign up online at spfb.org to dedicate their birthday to the Food Bank. Both money and food donations will be counted towards the goal of the campaign.

With help from the Food Bank’s supporters, like Dustin Burrows and Avery, CEO David Weaver hopes to generate greater awareness about the issue of childhood hunger across the South Plains.
“We are excited for the potential results the success of this campaign will yield,” Weaver says. “We are also thrilled to provide ways for children to take an active role to help their peers in need. Through this campaign, we are fueling the future by helping children realize they can make a difference in our community and by making sure more children receive the nutrition they need to succeed.”

Donations towards the “Feed Our Children. Fuel Our Future.” campaign can be made online at spfb.org.

(News release from the South Plains Food Bank)