April 20, 2017 

Star Republican Women's Caring for America Committee asks that you bring stuffed animals to our February 21 meeting.  These cuddly animals will be given to Child Protective Services and The Phoenix Center for children who are facing difficult times.

So stop by your favorite store and pick up one, two, three or more to share with the children of Llano and Burnet Counties.

The 85th Texas Legislature convened on January 10, 2017 and will stay in session until May 29.  

To check on bills proposed by your representatives or bills of special interest to you, go to www.capitol.state.tx.us.  You can also send emails to members of the legislature via that website.

Following is a list of Texas Legislators representing Llano County and/or Burnet County:

State Rep. Andrew Murr, District 53

Capitol Office: EXT E1.306

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0536

State Rep. Terry Wilson, District 20

Capitol Office: EXT E2.702 C

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0309

State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, District 24

Capitol Office: CAP GE.5

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0124 

For additional information about legislation or the current session, please feel free to contact Tomi MacDonald, SRW Chairman of the Legislation Committee:   [email protected] or 830-220-0230.

The 85th meeting of the Texas Legislature began on January 10th.  Unlike the U.S. Congress which meets practically year round, our state legislature meets for just 140 days every two years, so we have to get down to business and focus on our primary task – passing another fiscally conservative, balanced budget.

The first two to three weeks of the session are largely ceremonial, however.  This is because the rules of the House of Representatives prohibit the debate of legislation on the House floor prior to the 60^th day of the session unless it is deemed an emergency by the governor.  This lull at the beginning of the session allows members and their staffs to work with the lawyers and drafters who turn ideas into actual bills ready for consideration.  As of this morning (Jan. 30), there were 1,989 bills already filed this session. 

Proposed bills also cannot proceed through the legislative process until the Speaker of the House appoints members to fill the thirty-eight standing committees.  Thus far, those assignments have not been made, and while there is no mandated deadline, historically the committees are filled around the first week of February.   In 2015, I was assigned to the Transportation Committee, the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee, the Rules and Resolutions Committee, and (following session, in the interim) the Select Committee on Mental Health.  I do not know if I will be returning to those committees at this time, or be named to one or more different committees, but once assignments are announced, I will be sure to update you further.

In addition to committee assignments, this week we are receiving two speeches from our state’s leaders.  On January 31^st, Governor Abbott will address a joint session of the Texas House and Senate for his state-of-the-state address.  During that time, he will likely inform us of any issues or legislation that he has decided rises to the level of an emergency item.  The next day, on February 1^st, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Nathan Hecht, will also address a joint session of the legislature to deliver his state-of-the-judiciary address. 

I am excited to get down to business and begin this important work, and I would like to ask all of you to keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and to contact me with your comments and opinions.  As always, it is an honor to represent you in the Texas House of Representatives.  Please visit my website at www.AndrewMurr.org or contact our District Office in Kerrville (715 Water St.) at (830) 257-0432 or our Capitol Office in Austin at (512) 463-0536 and let me hear from you. 

Rep. Andrew Murr is a rancher, attorney, small businessman and former Kimble County Judge who has represented District 53 in the Texas House since 2015.  House District 53 includes Bandera, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Menard, Real, Schleicher and Sutton Counties.  

The power of the Republican Federated Women at the federal, state and local level is the power of our volunteers.  Please consider volunteering and when you do, report your monthly volunteer hours by turning them in at each SRW General Meeting or by contacting Campaign Activities Committee Chairman Scarlett Reimer at [email protected]. 

A Campaign Activities report form can be obtained at www.starrw.org at the Club Documents tab.

Many types of activities can be included in your volunteer efforts.  Here is a short list of some of the ways to get involved helping our Republican Party and our Federation of Republican Women.

• Work on or at a special campaign event.
• Report your time spent working at club meetings, i.e. getting petitions signed and processing mailings.
• Travel to and from events.
• Preparation of food for our own SRW events or SRW-sponsored events.
• Collecting items to donate to SRW sponsored charities and organizations.

Thanks for volunteering and let's get those hours counted!

2017 SRW Officers

President                    Gennie Ward      [email protected]         325-247-4078

1st VP/Programs       Denise Rives          [email protected]        432-638-7808

2nd VP/Membership  Emily Tobin      [email protected]        214-578-5986

Secretary                     Kathy Hussey            [email protected]       825-423-0418

Treasurer                     Caron Drake     [email protected]     832-498-6002

2017 SRW Committee Chairmen