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We officially concluded the 89th Legislative Session this week at your Texas Capitol, and it was a busy, productive session delivering real results for House District 16 and all of Texas. The final day of session, known as sine die, marks the end of the regular legislative session. Out of nearly 10,000 bills filed, a little over 1,200 bills passed, and I’m proud to report that I passed the second highest number of bills out of the House this session, with 38 bills sent to the Governor’s desk. These bills reflect a wide range of priorities for our district, from public safety legislation that I worked on closely with our District Attorney Brett Ligon and Constable Philip Cash, to water infrastructure, protecting children, strengthening our electric grid and border security, just to name a few. It was a long, productive session with many late nights and early mornings, but it was also filled with significant conservative victories that I look forward to sharing with you in the coming weeks. I want to take a moment to highlight a few major wins for our community that I was proud to champion.

Last spring, I was made aware of growing concerns surrounding the City of Conroe’s aging water infrastructure and its limited number of operational water wells—an issue made more urgent by the city’s rapid growth over the past decade. A safe and reliable water supply is essential to our community’s future. Drawing on years of experience, trusted relationships, and a strong track record of advocacy, my team and I went to work on behalf of our community. I am proud to share that the final state budget includes $20 million for our community that I was able to secure—$15 million for the City of Conroe dedicated to constructing water infrastructure, which will relieve strain on the city’s aging system and help secure a stable water supply for years to come.

In addition, I secured $5 million for the continued expansion of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, an important project that has been close to my heart since 2015. In 2021, I secured $7 million to fund construction of the Education and Visitors Center, now nearly complete, as well as the upcoming Gold Star Families Memorial Dome. This new round of funding will enhance the park’s standing as a regional and national destination.

These wins are the result of sustained leadership, strategic relationships, and a deep commitment to the community I was raised in and that I proudly call home. As a Committee Chair in the legislature, I will always fight to deliver real, lasting results. I also want to thank Senator Creighton for working to ensure the funding I fought for was protected in the final conference committee version of the budget. I am proud to deliver these critical investments for our community, and I remain committed to working with each of you to secure a strong, sustainable future for our community. As a native son of Conroe, it’s my sincere goal to help our community overcome its current challenges, and I believe these state resources will go a long way toward easing the burden.

As a proud alumnus of Sam Houston State University, I am always honored to champion this outstanding and innovative public institution in the Texas Legislature. As Texas continues to grow, so does the need for a highly skilled workforce. To remain a leader in job creation and economic opportunity, we must expand access to practical, career-focused education. That’s why I authored and passed House Bill 3204, which created the Polytechnic College at SHSU as a public state college. This will allow the Polytechnic College to offer training for Texans over the age of 18, whether they’re entering the workforce, changing careers, or advancing their skills. The college will provide fast-track programs leading to occupational skills awards and workforce certificates, and will launch new programs in Computer Information Systems and
Security, Computer Support, Paralegal Studies, and Practical AI. It will also qualify for critical state programs like the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant and the TRUE Program, making workforce education more affordable and accessible. Finally, House Bill 3204 provides a pathway for formula funding and financial aid for students served by SHSU’s new Polytechnic College, with $2 million in the state budget appropriated to help launch this exciting new initiative. HB 3204 is a smart investment in Texas’ future, giving students real opportunity and helping employers meet today’s workforce demands.

Another major budget win I was proud to help deliver for my alma mater was securing significant support for the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, located right here in Conroe. I’m especially pleased with the investment we secured for SHSU and its expanding role in higher education and healthcare across our region. This session’s state budget resulted in an $11 million increase in formula funding for the SHSU
College of Osteopathic Medicine—a 10% gain over the biennium. This formula funding will keep SHSU medical students in Conroe cost-competitive with other medical schools all across Texas. These are significant funding wins that will positively impact SHSU and our region, and I look forward to continuing to support the university’s efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce and produce much-needed medical providers for rural Texas through its College of Osteopathic Medicine.