Representatives discuss concerns for rural Texas ahead of 88th legislative session

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – West Texas lawmakers met at Texas Tech for the Texas Tribune Way forward for Rural Texas occasion to speak about their priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Subjects included training, healthcare, drought and Personal College Funds (PUF).

The panel included Lubbock consultant Dustin Burrows (R), Midland consultant Brooks Landgraf (R), and Eagle Cross consultant Eddie Morales (D).

There was broad settlement {that a} Republican majority in Austin is sweet for rural Texas, since Democrats principally symbolize city areas. Morales did point out that Democrats must suppose extra about what rural communities want.

“That, greater than something, ought to be a message to the Democrats so far as we can’t proceed to attempt to win races statewide and working like Democrats,” Morales mentioned. “We must be very conscious of the agricultural requirements in our constituents out in rural Texas.”

One of the vital mentioned matters was faculty vouchers, which might ship state subsidies to ship youngsters to personal colleges at a dad or mum’s request. Consultant Morales helps these vouchers. Consultant Burrows says the legislature wants to debate STAAR testing and college security first. Landgraf believes there must be an choice for youngsters with particular wants.

On the subject of upper training, all three agree it’s time for the legislature to regulate the PUF and embody Texas Tech.

“There does must be some recognition that the cash that goes into that fund comes from part of the state that doesn’t have that cash reinvested into that a part of the state – notably greater training,” Landgraf mentioned.

Landgraf mentioned a four-year college in his district, UT Permian Basin, is a department of the College of Texas however solely receives a small quantity of the PUF fund. Morales and Landgraf each mentioned they might be open to giving a few of the PUF fund to Texas Tech and different universities.

Landgraf says to vary the place the PUF fund goes, it might take a constitutional modification, which might require approval from voters.

In relation to rural healthcare, Burrows says COVID-19 taught us so much about alternative routes for sufferers to to obtain care.

“The native pharmacies which might be out right here in rural Texas, and so they’ve been allowed due to COVID waivers to check and deal with,” Burrows mentioned. “So, you bought to know most of my rural communities would not have a health care provider or nurse practitioner, however they’ve a pharmacy.”

Burrows says rural People not having to enter a bigger neighborhood to get examined may also help enhance their high quality of life. He additionally talked about telemedicine as a great software that Texas Tech has been utilizing for years – which will be an instance for the remainder of the state.

The 88th legislative session begins Jan. 10.

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