Latest news with #Capriglione
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas lawmaker abruptly spiked his bill to punish cities that don't deal with homeless encampments
A proposal in the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature to enhance a statewide ban on homeless encampments met a spectacular demise late Monday when the bill's sponsor effectively ended debate on the bill. After several attempts by Democrats to weaken the bill and challenge its legitimacy through other procedural tactics, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, asked for debate on the bill to end and resume on June 3, one day after the session ends. Senate Bill 241, which had already passed the state Senate, would have forced Texas cities and counties to beef up their enforcement of a statewide ban on homeless encampments. Critics had argued the legislation won't help reduce homelessness. Capriglione, who carried the proposal in the House, told The Texas Tribune he withdrew the bill to avoid a protracted procedural process that would have ultimately killed it. Capriglione, who authored the state's ban on homeless encampments, said he plans to work on similar legislation when the Texas Legislature convenes again in two years. State lawmakers have shown exasperation with visible homelessness four years after Abbott signed the state's ban on homeless encampments into law. 'Whether it's in my area, in Fort Worth, or in Dallas, or here we're in Austin, everybody knows that these camping restrictions on homeless camping restrictions have not been enforced,' Capriglione said. The number of unhoused Texans has grown in recent years as the state's housing costs have ballooned. Almost 28,000 Texans experienced homelessness last year, federal estimates show — about 8% more than before the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 12,000 people experienced unsheltered homelessness, meaning they slept outdoors, in their cars or in other places where people aren't supposed to live. The bill from state Sen. Pete Flores, a Pleasanton Republican, would require cities and counties to allow residents to make formal complaints if they suspect a violation of the camping ban. The Texas attorney general could declare that city or county a 'violating local entity' if local officials don't resolve that complaint within 90 days. The state could then step in to clear encampments and recoup the costs from that city or county's sales taxes. House lawmakers made some tweaks to the bill Monday, requiring the attorney general's office to give cities and counties a 45-day heads-up that they're at risk of becoming a 'violating local entity.' They shot down other amendments, like a Democratic proposal to make it clear that cities and counties could resolve complaints about homeless encampments by finding ways to rehouse people camping there. Texas lawmakers enacted the statewide camping ban after Austin officials in 2019 relaxed restrictions on public encampments. The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness grew in following years, and Austin voters restored the city's camping ban through a public referendum. Shortly after, state lawmakers enacted the statewide camping ban — making sleeping outside or camping on public property a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. Austin has issued more than 1,300 citations since 2021 for violations of the camping ban and related violations, according to city data. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld bans on homeless encampments last year. Homeless service providers and advocates have long argued that ticketing people experiencing homelessness only makes it harder for them to get back on their feet. Compelling local governments to do so, some have worried, might sap resources from strategies that focus on finding new housing for people experiencing street homelessness. They say those initiatives have helped Houston and Dallas reduce unsheltered homelessness by more than 25% since before the pandemic. Texas lawmakers also advanced legislation requiring cities to give neighbors a heads-up if it wants to convert a property to house homeless people. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KXAN testifies on crime victim data during House open government hearing
Austin (KXAN) — On Wednesday, KXAN Senior Investigative Producer David Barer spoke to members of the Texas House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency about obtaining data while investigating the state's crime victim compensation delays. 'An important issue we found is victims were telling us they were waiting up to eight months or more to get a first payment on a claim,' Barer said of KXAN's three years of reporting on the Texas Attorney General's CVC division, noting the use of budget-related data obtained from the state agency. KXAN's analysis of that data revealed recent victim claims were being averaged with sexual assault exam reimbursements, the latter of which are actually handled directly with medical providers in just days. So the attorney general's combining of the two types of claims presented a skewed narrative that payments were happening faster than reality. 'The AG's office has now acknowledged that, and they're addressing it now through the appropriations process,' Barer explained. 'But that is one example of many that I could give you of reporting that relied on searchable-sortable records that we obtained through the Public Information Act, and I know from experience that not all government bodies provide this even when they're able to and explicitly asked to do so.' Barer shared his account with lawmakers at the encouragement of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, which advocates for greater access to public information. It was among testimony surrounding House Bill 4218, which aims to codify the ability to obtain searchable-sortable records if such a format is available. 'If government information is maintained in a searchable-sortable format, it needs to be provided in that format in a public information request,' said Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, who authored the bill. Capriglione told committee members some agencies deliberately turn searchable-sortable data — like an Excel spreadsheet — into a PDF, which 'is not as useful to a requestor who is trying to sort and analyze a large amount of information.' 'In that case what you're seeing is a government entity going above and beyond to make it difficult for the public to be able to access that information,' he said. HELD UP: KXAN uncovers backlog, turnover with Texas' Crime Victims' Compensation Division The measure falls under the topics tackled by the newly-created DOGE committee, which Capriglione also chairs. Its directive includes tackling inefficiencies in government services. Capriglione said reducing 'data in its native format also reduces the workload on government employees,' because it eliminates the need to create additional documents in separate formats. 'Clarifying this issue will save time and taxpayer money,' he added. HB 4218 was left pending in committee. Its Senate companion, SB 50 filed by Sen. Judith Zafirini, D-Laredo, awaits a hearing in that chamber's 'Business & Commerce' committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers and advocates call for accountability after insurance company hired investigators to look into patients
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Lawmakers and patient advocates are calling for accountability after a legislative hearing revealed emails indicating an insurance company's use of private investigators to gather information on customers and state lawmakers. Superior HealthPlan receives funding from the state to manage the care of sick and disabled children through programs like STAR Kids. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Superior HealthPlan, one day after a heated public hearing at the Capitol. In the March 26 hearing, lawmakers on the House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, grilled the company's CEO over surveillance practices, they say, that crossed a line. During the hearing, committee chairman Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, revealed emails indicating Superior hired private investigators to get information on lawmakers and customers. 'Why would you go and and run a background check, hire a private investigator to follow, to dig into the records of people who are your customers?' Capriglione asked CEO Mark Sanders. 'First of all, I will say we no longer use that practice, and haven't for several years,' Sanders answered. 'At the time, we really just wanted to have information on those individuals, and really nothing beyond that of what was publicly available to us.' One day after the hearing, Centene, the parent company to Superior HealthPlan, announced that Sanders was no longer with the company. Rep. Capriglione spoke with the State of Texas host the week after the hearing. Capriglione was joined by Hannah Mehta, founder of the advocacy group Protect TX Fragile Kids. Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: 'Let's start with the fact that Superior was funded almost entirely with taxpayer dollars, right? They used those taxpayer dollars to hire private investigators to surreptitiously follow journalists, customers, and lawmakers. I was made aware of these emails, which led to the discovery of additional information about who they were following and the intent behind them. And so in our committee hearing just a week ago, we revealed that to the public and made them answer.' Josh Hinkle: 'Hannah, what are some of the concerns you've heard from the families with medically fragile children who rely on the state's STAR Kids program?'Hannah Mehta: 'You know this is horrifying and alarming for families who literally are fighting for life, sustaining care for their children, trying to keep their kids alive. In this case, Linda Badawo was one of those who was fighting for her foster child who was actually awarded the state to be able to breathe and maintain his trach care that was ordered by his doctor, and so we have seen this pattern of behavior from Superior and it is alarming and horrifying that patients who are literally just trying to stay alive and follow their doctor's orders are being targeted for trying to access that care.'Josh Hinkle: 'So in last week's hearing, Sanders admitted he authorized hiring private investigators to get information on patients. Hannah, you knew about these emails for a while. What was it like for you to hear the admission in the hearing itself?'Hannah Mehta: 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant. There is, I think again, a pattern of behavior here that is really disturbing. Texans deserve better, and taxpayers deserve better. Patients deserve better. No family, no patient, should be targeted for trying to keep their child alive, for trying to access care for their loved one. And this could be anyone. This could be you. This could be any text, and we should all be horrified and concerned about what we're hearing here.' Josh Hinkle: 'One question I have is about the transparency surrounding this type of program. You know, it was even difficult for the media to get confirmation of rumors we've been hearing for months, and finally, it came out in this hearing, is there more transparency to be had in the future when it comes to this type of funding and these type of programs?'Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: We have several bills going right now in the legislature, several on contracting, of course, a few on transparency. HB 111 and a few other bills that we're working on that will require Absolutely, much more transparency, making sure that whether it's the press or patients or lawmakers get more access to what is going on with our dollars. I mean, we created the Speaker of the House, created the delivery of government efficiency [committee], and I think behind efficiency is transparency. The way that we need to make sure that we do this is that everyone has access. These are taxpayer dollars. I mean, and not just a few. This is the second biggest expense for the state. Okay, there's tens of billions of dollars of contracts that are going out to provide medical care to constituents of Texas. We deserve answers. We deserve responses as soon as possible.'Josh Hinkle: 'So I have a question for both of you. Sanders is obviously out. The company is under investigation from the AG, what do you hope changes after this?'Hannah Mehta: 'You know, I think the truth of the matter is, Josh, there are some massive changes that need to be made in this system, but let's take one step at a time, and let's start by addressing these issues and also ensuring that patients can access, incredibly vulnerable patients can access the life sustaining care that they need on a daily basis. And that starts with, as Gio said, some oversight, responsibility and some transparency for where those tax dollars are going. Are they being utilized in the way that the Legislature has allocated them, and are the patients, these vulnerable patients, who are often in life and death situations, able to access the care that they need to remain stable? That, that is really the intended purpose of these programs.'Josh Hinkle: 'You've touched on the transparency. What other changes are you hoping for?'Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: 'Well, first of all, I'm thankful that Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Superior. I'm expecting him, and I'm sure that he will do everything he can to make sure that he digs into what they're doing. Because I'll tell you, a company that has a culture of doing this probably has a culture of doing other things as well, whether it's double billing to the state unethical behavior, I think the state should consider dropping the contracts that it has with Superior and requiring all other providers to follow ethical guidelines. And that's what I'm hopeful will happen, not just here in Texas, because I think other states across the country now are going to start looking and asking these same tough questions to their providers.' After the hearing on March 26, Centene issued a statement in response: Centene recognizes that rebuilding trust requires more than words. Following the hearing, Centene immediately launched an internal investigation to examine the conduct in question and to ensure our current practices are fully aligned with our core values and ethical standards. In addition, Mark Sanders is no longer with the company. Our investigation to date indicates that all research in question was conducted through publicly or commercially available resources and limited to desk-based research. Background research has many business uses, including meeting preparation as well as helping to identify conflicts of interest and potential fraud, waste, and abuse, which is part of our duty as a government-sponsored healthcare organization. The research in question included irrelevant and unnecessary personal information. That was inappropriate and never should have happened. This occurred prior to 2019 and does not reflect the values or standards of our current leadership. For that, we offer our sincere and unequivocal apology. We have found no evidence of any legal violations, and no individual was ever followed or photographed. Suggestions that these materials were used for leverage or blackmail are completely false. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas' DOGE committee takes inspiration from Elon Musk's federal operation
A few weeks after Elon Musk waved a chainsaw at a conservative gathering touting the Department of Government Efficiency's federal cost cutting efforts, the Texas House kicked off the first meeting for its own version of DOGE. Leaders of the Delivery of Government Efficiency committee in the House are following in Musk's footsteps, promising sweeping changes and reductions to the size of state government. Committee Chair Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, told The Texas Tribune that DOGE in Texas share's goals with its federal namesake in trying to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government. 'We're going to make long-term changes in how we operate here for the state,' Capriglione said. 'This is about, 'How do we fundamentally change the way the state operates so you can do it in a much more efficient way?'' So far, Musk's operation in the nation's capital has fired more than 30,000 federal employees with more layoffs to come, drawing sharp pushback from Democrats and some concerns from Republicans. DOGE's website has claimed to cut about $105 billion as of Monday, though that amount is unverifiable and is expected to be much lower. Asked about statewide layoffs, Capriglione said the committee 'doesn't have the authority to go and terminate employees,' though members may recommend funding reductions to agencies that yield staffing cuts. Democrats on the committee say they're optimistic about the opportunity to find inefficiencies, but are wary of their colleagues trying to emulate the rapidfire layoffs and cuts happening at the federal level. What Musk's DOGE has done is 'completely terrifying,' and is putting the health and safety of millions of Americans at risk, said Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, one of the five Democrats on the committee. She doesn't want Texas to replicate what DOGE is doing in Washington, D.C. 'I would be the fiercest fighter against that, because what they're doing at the federal level is just outrageous and the consequences are going to be harmful for decades,' said Rodríguez Ramos, who is the chair of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus. DOGE committee Vice Chair Salman Bhojani, D-Euless, said during DOGE's first hearing Wednesday that the committee must avoid 'partisan rhetoric.' He said that unlike Congress, members of the Texas legislature work in a bipartisan manner and he expects that will be the case with the state's version of DOGE. 'Texas can lead the way with responsible and efficient government,' Bhojani said during the hearing. 'But let me be clear, my focus is not about cutting essential services or devaluing hardworking public servants. I'm here to work with you, not against you, to improve how we serve Texans.' Some of Musk's efforts with DOGE have sparked chaos in federal agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently fired some employees who were working to address bird flu, only to since request those employees come back. The Trump administration has also had to reverse the layoffs of hundreds of federal employees who work on the nation's nuclear weapons programs. As a legislative committee, there's a 'fundamental difference' between what the Texas and federal versions of DOGE are capable of doing, Capriglione said. Rather than focusing on public staffing cuts, in its early days, committee leaders will focus on finding areas to recommend for modernizing outdated state technology systems and auditing government agencies. According to the House resolution that created Texas' DOGE, the committee's jurisdiction includes topics like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and 'emerging technology.' The committee will also likely hear bills on similar topics, Capriglione said. So far, 27 bills have been referred to the committee, including proposals related to auditing state agencies and increasing government pay transparency. He added that Texas' DOGE aims to be a 'one-stop shop' for Texans to bring forward their grievances about state government services. In an op-ed in the Dallas Morning News published last week, Capriglione said that reducing government spending is a 'central part of [his] political career.' 'This committee will operate with precision,' Capriglione said during Wednesday's hearing. 'At times, we will use a scalpel, carefully dissecting inefficiencies to make government work smarter. At other times, we will wield a sledgehammer, tearing down systemic waste and corruption that may have gone unchallenged.' The committee has 13 members, including Capriglione, with eight Republicans and five Democrats. Like other committees, DOGE will hear public testimony on proposed legislation and vote those bills out of committee so they can receive a vote on the House floor. Texas isn't the only state that has followed in the federal government's footsteps by creating its own DOGE. Some other Republican-led states, including Florida and Iowa, have created their own versions, with some in the form of legislative committees and others created as additional government divisions. Rep. David Cook, a Mansfield Republican, said the bipartisan nature of the committee and its inclusion of elected officials represent the biggest difference between the Texas DOGE and the Washington, D.C. operation. But he added that the 'goals will be similar' between the two. 'This is an example of where the federal government came up with a really good idea,' Cook said. '[Texans] want their government to be efficient and implement good, common sense policies.' Texas already has another legislative commission that is responsible for reviewing waste and inefficiency in state government. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission — made up of two members of the public, and five members of the House and Senate alike — has abolished 95 state agencies since its inception in 1977. According to the commission's website, it will review about 130 agencies over the next 12 years. Poncho Nevárez, a former Democratic state representative and past member of the commission, said since the Sunset Advisory Commission does not review each agency every legislative session, the DOGE committee could help fill that gap. If an agency is not scheduled to be reviewed by the commission during a particular session, then the DOGE committee might have the ability to look into that agency, he added. But Nevárez is still wary that the Texas DOGE will try to 'slash and burn' funding like Musk is doing in Washington. He noted the irony of Republicans railing about waste when they have had control of every statewide office and the Legislature for decades. The last time a Democrat won statewide office in Texas was 1994. 'Well shit, who's been running that government for almost 30 years?' Nevárez said. 'They act like all of these agencies have been running on their own. But all those are Republican appointees.' We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas version of DOGE got to work at Capitol
The Brief The Texas version of DOGE got to work on Wednesday The program is modeled after the controversial federal team led by Elon Musk AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas version of DOGE got to work on Wednesday. The Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency was created by House Speaker Dustin Burrows. It is modeled after the controversial federal team led by Elon Musk. What they're saying The House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency (DOGE) got underway Wednesday with a promise from Committee Chairman Giovanni Capriglione. "For too long, government inefficiency has been tolerated, accepted and ignored. That ends now," said Chairman Capriglione (R) Southlake. This Texas twist on the federal DOGE program is similar in name to the one led by Elon Musk. But the chairman denied it was a political copycat. "This is going to be different. This is, as I say, everything in Texas, a little bit bigger and a little bit better. And that's what we'll be doing here in this committee will be looking at using scalpels, and we'll also be able to look at sledgehammers," said Chairman Capriglione. Chairman Capriglione was asked if there is waste in the Texas government. Did he think the state has been mismanaged for the past 20 years by Republican leaders? "It hasn't, but we only meet every two years. So, this is an opportunity for us to go and look at what's been done over the last two years and possibly longer," said Chairman Capriglione. Dig deeper The committee's initial focus on Wednesday was on the state's IT department, the newly formed Space Commission, and even the Sunset Advisory Commission. Committee member Tony Tinderholt (R) Arlington asked the Executive Director of the Sunset Advisory Commission, Eric Beverly, how often the organization determines that an agency should be eliminated. "I can tell you that we have just, in the last 12 years, recommended abolishing eight different agencies," said Beverly. Most state agencies not only go through a Sunset review, all go through a review during the Legislative Budget process. Despite that, Chairman Capriglione does not believe his committee is redundant. "You always need an independent a third party, if you will, to go and look at what's been done and what's going on. And that's what this committee is going to do," said Chairman Capriglione. During the hearing, committee member Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos indicated House Democrats will embrace being part of the Texas DOGE. "I would love to learn more about exploring waste, fraud, and abuse under Operation Lonestar and I hope that, you know, our legislature would really be committed to transparency there, knowing how much we've spent billions and billions over the past few years," said Rep. Rodriguez Ramos (D) Richardson. The Texas DOGE committee will not issue pink slips. But members are expected to make recommendations about staffing and file legislative reforms that could reassign staff. "We're going to go and point out wherever we see inefficiencies. Right. And so, obviously, that goes to each individual agency to decide. But we already have bills that are coming to our committee that are going to talk about how to make sure that what people want and the services they need align with the resources that we're putting into it," said Chairman Capriglione. Local perspective There is the potential for scoring political points beyond Operation Lone Star, according to Brian Smith with St. Edwards University. "Democrats might be able to make something of this," said Smith. High-profile cuts, according to Smith, may be more difficult to accomplish. "Everybody's going to justify their program under the Dome as being very efficient," said Smith. Smith also noted that Texas runs a lean budget unlike the federal budget. Chairman Capriglione is confident reforms can be made. "The goal of this is to make sure that the government's working for the taxpayers, not the other way around," said Chairman Capriglione. What's next The state has almost 270,000 different rules and regulations on the books. Based on the hearing on Wednesday, it appears the committee's initial focus may be on that, as well as contracts and property management, rather than the state workforce. The Source Information from the Texas legislative session
