August 10, 2018

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Today kicks off Tax Free Weekend! Today through Sunday, some clothing, certain school supplies, and other various items are eligible for a sales tax exemption. You can find a comprehensive list of what is included on the Texas Comptroller's Website.

Wednesday of this week marked the beginning of early voting for the Harris County Flood Control District Bond election. In the newsletter that follows, you will find information from the Harris County Clerk, Stan Stanart, about polling locations, proposed projects, and much more. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the bond language ( which can be found here), so that when you go to the polls, you are well versed in what the bond could accomplish. Early voting ends today at 4:30pm and resumes again on Monday, August 13. Election Day is August 25, so be sure you take advantage of the opportunity over the next week to skip the lines and vote early.

Finally, I want to announce that my Legislative Director, Molly Spratt, is leaving our office to pursue another opportunity in the Texas Senate. I've given her some space below to share her thoughts about the nearly six years she's spent in our office. I am excited for her as she takes advantage of this great opportunity and I look forward to working with her in her new capacity.

In Molly's absence, our Capitol office will be on a skeleton crew for the foreseeable future. This may cause delays in any correspondence or response if you contact my Austin office. Accordingly, I encourage you to contact the District Office with any immediate questions or concerns.

As always, you can contact me directly at the bottom of the newsletter.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely, 

Click Here to View and Download This Month's Calendar!

Early voting for the Harris County Flood Control District Bond Election gets underway Wednesday, August 8, and ends Friday, August 21. Forty-five locations will be available to Harris County registered voters during the twelve day early voting period which includes two weekends. 

“This is the easiest type of election in which voters may participate because there is only one item on the ballot,” said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, the chief election officer of the County. “Voters may view the proposed project list to make Harris County more resilient from flooding at https://www.hcfcd.org/bond-program/.” 

Voters are strongly advised to review the detailed early voting schedule at www.HarrisVotes.com before heading to a polling location to cast their ballot.  

Currently, there are approximately 2.3 million registered voters in Harris County. Mail ballots have been sent to 68,000 voters who are eligible to vote by mail. A third, 23,000, of those voters have already returned their mail ballot to the election office. 

“This is an important election. All voters are encouraged to participate,” concluded Stanart. 

For more information about the early voting sites, hours of operation, to view a sample ballot, or review a list of acceptable forms of identification to vote at the polls, voters may visit www.HarrisVotes.com or call the Harris County Clerk’s office at 713.755.6965. 

Hi There!

My name is Molly Spratt, and serve as the Legislative Director for State Representative Dan Huberty. I began working for Chairman Huberty during the 83rd session, beginning in January of 2013, as a part-time intern while I was a student at the University of Texas. Upon my graduation, I was offered a full-time position, and I have been in the office ever since.

Today, I come to you to announce my departure from this office, in order to pursue an opportunity in the Texas Senate, and to share with you some thoughts about my time in this office.

After nearly six years of working with Chairman Huberty, I want to truly thank him for all he has taught me. The immense policy knowledge that I have acquired for him spans topics from municipal annexation to public school finance (and everything in between). I know that this will be invaluable, practical experience for me moving forward.

Aside from the practical, I have also learned other lessons from "Boss" over the years. I've learned to never give up on my principles, and to stand for what's right even in the face of adversity. I've learned to never back down, but know how to compromise to accomplish your goal. I've learned that no fight is too big and that no student is too small. Not to mention, I've learned to dress impeccably well. I've grown up in this office, and I couldn't ask for a better mentor.

I also wanted to be sure to take the time to highlight our fearless leader, Casey Christman, who serves as Chairman Huberty's Chief of Staff. If you're reading this, you have probably met her, either at a district event around HD 127 or at the Capitol in Austin. Through all these years, she's been the glue that keeps us together. She's led us through thick and thin, session after session, and I am grateful for her friendship and leadership.

To our committee director, Amy Peterson, I'm glad to have gotten to know you over Rep. Huberty's tenure as chairman of the House Committee on Public Education, and I am certain that you will help this office thrive!

And to you, the constituents of HD 127 and our other avid readers, I have appreciated getting to know you all and I look forward to our paths crossing again soon.

See you on the other side of the rotunda!

Best regards, 

Molly Spratt

Legislative Director

State Representative Dan Huberty

Governor Greg Abbot, Chairman Dan Huberty, his Legislative Director, Molly Spratt, and Senator Donna Campbell and her staff, at the signing of Senate Bill 6, relating to municipal annexation reform in 2017.

The 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 22 (authored by Chairman Huberty), establishing three domains for measuring the academic performance of districts and campuses: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Districts will receive a rating of A, B, C, D, or F for overall performance, as well as for performance in each domain, beginning in August 2018. Campuses will receive A–F ratings beginning in August 2019.  

Have questions? TEA has Answers...In About A Minute. Below you will find the first video in a series of short videos explaining the new system and how it could affect you.

Our office is always ready to assist you. Call or email us and we will do our best to help. Many State Agencies also have hotlines or citizen assistance offices to assist you. That contact information is available at this link, in alphabetical order: 

http://www.lrl.texas.gov/genInfo/stateAgencies.cfm

All of the relevant information our office has gathered during the week will be posted to our Facebook page. By "liking" us, you will stay up-to-date about important matters across the state that affect you and your family. Click below to find our page.

This newsletter was not sent by State expense.

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