Springer's Capitol update

As we gather together this Easter weekend and celebrate the joy of life eternal, I wanted to give a quick update from Austin. Session is in full swing and it's been a busy week at the Capitol with some late nights. I laid out a few bills before Committees and we voted on a number of high priority bills this week ranging from protecting the right to life to expanding rural broadband access to strengthening election integrity. Read more for the full update on what we're working on for Senate District 30 and the State of Texas.

Taking Care of First Responders & Unifying TWU

Late Monday night, I laid out Senate Bill 22 the First Responders Pandemic Care Act before State Affairs. When the pandemic hit Texas last year, first responders didn't hesitate to step up to the plate to protect public health and they haven't slowed down. My bill would ensure that the brave first responders who contracted COVID-19 on the job or died from COVID receive the compensation and benefits they deserve. I'm proud to be working on this bill to ensure the protections are in place for those who have saved thousands of lives during the many risks of the pandemic.

Senate District 30 is home to Texas Woman's University Denton campus which has produced many great leaders and to strengthen TWU, I filed Senate Bill 1126 to unify all three campuses into one university system. I laid out SB 1126 this week before Higher Education and look forward to working with TWU in their efforts to bring the Denton, Houston and Dallas campuses into one system. This bill will strengthen existing programs and ensure TWU has the ability to continue preparing students to meet the needs of the workforce.

Securing the Grid & Expanding Broadband Access

February's winter storm showed that much-needed updates and reforms have to be made to safeguard our power production for both everyday use and in times of emergency. This week, I supported Senate Bill 3, the Power Grid Stability Act, which focuses on stabilizing and improving Texas' power grid and would protect ratepayers from future price-spikes. This bill includes my amendment which would ensure that during load shedding events, that it is fair and equitable so millions of Texans aren’t left without power for days on end. Ensuring we have a reliable power grid that can respond to the needs of Texans no matter the weather is crucial.

From economic development to telemedicine to remote learning, the need for broadband connectivity has never been more important. The price of getting Texans connected to reliable broadband has been a longstanding issue and I have heard from so many rural Texans that have paid the price. Closing the digital divide and prioritizing rural broadband access is the focus of Senate Bill 5, the Statewide Broadband Access Act, and as a co-author, I was proud to support this bill. SB 5 will create the State Broadband Development Office which will focus on identifying communities without broadband access and will create a State Broadband Plan within a year to get more Texans online. Expanding broadband access to rural Texas is a victory for the future of the state.

Strengthening Election Integrity & Protecting the Unborn

The right to free and fair elections has been under attack by bad actors for far too long as we’ve seen at the national level all the way down to local elections. After more than 10 hours of debate and 30 amendments, early this morning I voted to keep our elections secure and transparent. Senate Bill 7, the Elections & Ballot Security Act, will protect poll watchers, bring voting technology up-to-date and crack down on voter fraud. Keeping our ballots secure and ensuring eligible voters are participating in the electoral process are the foundation of our democracy and pivotal to preserving election integrity.

Ensuring that every unborn child has the right to life is one of the top priorities this session which is why I supported 7 pro-life bills this week in the Senate. As a Joint Author on Senate Bill 8, the Heartbeat Bill, and Senate Bill 9, the Abortion Ban Trigger, Senate Bill 394 and Senate Bill 1173 - I am glad to see these bills pass. All of these important measures help protect the rights of the unborn and ensure that every precious life is given the same opportunity. If there are any bills in the Legislature that you are interested in learning more about or watching where they go through the process, you can visit the Texas Legislature Online and learn more.

As always, my door is open to help and answer any questions for Senate District 30. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or want to share your thoughts on anything happening in the Texas Legislature.

It’s an honor and a privilege to represent North Texas in the Senate.