Latest news with #VanDeaver
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
East Texas state representatives give update on 89th legislative session
TYLER, Texas (KETK)- East Texas representatives give an update on bills filed by lawmakers for the 89th legislative session. East Texas representatives like State Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) hopes to get his own bills passed with one of his top priorities being House Bill 17. This bill restricts the purchase of land in Texas from 'hostile countries' such as China, Russia and North Korea. East Texas state representative proposes bill to protect children from explicit content in public libraries 'That bill is in the homeland security and public safety committee, here in a week or two, we're going to have a day of hearings where we hear our bills that have to do with foreign adversaries,' Hefner said. Another big topic in the Texas House is water, both Hefner and State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) are working to keep East Texas water in the Piney woods. 'We're a growing state, but that doesn't mean they get to come take our private property so that they can keep their swimming pools full,' Hefner said. East Texas Rep. Moran appointed to House Committee on Ethics VanDeaver also has filed House Bill 18 to make sure rural Texans receive adequate medical care. The bill would provide a 'safety net' for rural hospitals, especially hospitals that are at risk of closing to try to keep them open. Representatives explain that one of the most talked about issues is House Bill 3 also known as the 'school choice' bill but as a former superintendent VanDeaver says he isn't on board with with the bill. 'I'm just convinced it's not good for my district, and it's not good for the children of Texas, so my position hasn't changed on it. I plan to vote against it,' Vandeaver said. No matter which side they are on when it comes to each bill, Hefner and Vandeaver say East Texas lawmakers are sticking together and making sure they do what is best for the people of East Texas. Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship 'East Texans are united, and we're digging in for the fight to protect our resources and the private property rights of our citizens,' Hefner said. The regular session ends on June 2 with only Governor Gregg Abbott having the power to add special 30-day sessions limited to designated topics afterwards. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rural healthcare bill considered by Texas House Committee
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – The Texas House Public Health Committee met Monday morning to discuss a bill that aims to make sure rural Texans have access to hospital and health care services. House Bill 18, known as The Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, provides a comprehensive plan for ensuring that rural Texans receive adequate medical care. The committee heard from the bill's author, Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, as well as numerous stakeholders. 'Members, there are Texans who do not currently have access to hospitals and health care services that the majority of us take for granted,' VanDeaver said. 'We have the opportunity this session to change that.' VanDeaver said nine of the 13 members of the Public Health Committee come from urban areas with a total of 202 hospitals. The four representatives from rural areas make up 28 counties with only 30 hospitals in the entire area, nine of which have no hospitals at all. The lack of resources in these areas is what moved VanDeaver to file HB 18. Freddy Olivarez, CEO of the Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa, told the committee that his rural hospital struggled to make payroll in September 2024. He said an existing grant program played a large role in allowing the hospital to maintain operations. 'We were facing looking at being the next Texas hospital closed, so that was this grant funding that Chairman VanDeaver—it's amazing for us,' Olivarez said. 'This is what's kept us open right now.' Llano County is fighting to save rural healthcare The bill's strategic initiatives include: The creation of a new State Office of Rural Hospital Finance. The office will create a strategy to ensure that hospitals have the necessary resources to support their patients, create a financial vulnerability index and provide technical assistance to these areas if necessary. The establishment the Texas Rural Hospital Officers Academy. The Academy will offer at least 100 hours of coursework annually related to technical training on matters that impact the financial stability of rural hospitals. The construction a grant program for rural hospitals composed of four grants: The Financial Stabilization Grant: to support the financial stability of hospitals at a moderate or high risk of instability based on their vulnerability index. Emergency Hardship Grant: for hospitals that have experienced a man-made or natural disaster or unforeseen circumstances that might result in facility closures or failure to meet payroll. Innovation Grant: to improve rural facilities and services for pregnant women or women who have recently given birth, individuals under the age of 20, older adults or individuals who are uninsured. Rural Hospital Support Grant: to improve the financial stability and support the long term viability of rural hospitals. Additions to the Health and Safety Code for the new Rural Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program to use telehealth services to identify and assess pediatric patients seeking mental and behavioral health needs. The bill defines a rural community of having a population of 68,750 or less, making 156 Texas counties eligible for these services. Representatives questioned stakeholders on whether the bill's current language is expansive enough to address all issues affecting rural hospitals. 'What is the problem? I think it's a good bill trying to address it, but I'm worried it's not gonna go far enough,' Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, asked Victoria Grady, who testified as a resource witness from the Health and Human Services Commission. 'I think one of the things that's really important to note about rural communities is they don't want us in their business, and they would like to solve their own problems. And so part of the challenge is having those facilities feel comfortable and confident that they can access resources early on when they're having trouble,' Grady said. She added, 'As much as we're glad to give emergency hardship grants, we really don't want them coming to us at that point.' Rural providers, advocates create plan for Texas Legislature to 'rescue' maternity care system Grady also discussed a variety of issues that affect rural hospitals such as outdated infrastructure, inability to obtain viable equipment, uncompensated care, and complexity when submitting for reimbursement on supplemental payments. The bill was left pending as discussions with stakeholders continue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Selling East Texas Water: Reps file bill to stop Marvin Nichols Reservoir
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Texas is seeing growth all over the Lone Star State, but finding sources of water to serve everyone remains an issue. East Texans push back against reservoir that threatens their homes 'There's no doubt we have a water problem in Texas,' Texas House District 1 Rep. Gary VanDeaver of New Boston said. In 1968, a water plan was created the State of Texas which called for the construction of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. It spans six East Texas counties and would supply water to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, not East Texas. 'The reservoir itself is, depending on which version it is, at 60, 70, 80,000 acres of land, with mitigation, it could be as much as 200,000 acres of land,' VanDeaver said. VanDeaver and House District 5 Rep. Cole Hefner represent most of the counties affected by the project and have heard the public's concerns. They've filed House Bill 2109 in order to put a stop to the plan. 'If a project has been in the state Water Development Board's long-range plan for more than 50 years and has construction has not started on it, then it has to be pulled out,' VanDeaver said. 'So this would, in effect, stop the Marvin Nichols project altogether,' Hefner said. East Texas reps file bills to oppose Marvin Nichols Reservoir A decades-long fight for some East Texans only just begins for others. The North Texas Municipal Water District which supplies water to people just outside of Dallas confirmed in a statement that they have entered discussions to buy water from Lake O' the Pines. A decision East Texas cities will have to make. 'The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) confirms that we are in discussion with Northeast Texas Municipal Water District regarding a potential water sale from Lake O' The Pines. Both parties are committed to maintaining transparency and fairness throughout this process. At this time, the contract negotiations are ongoing, which limits the details we can share publicly. Following the conclusion of contract negotiations, there will be an opportunity for public discussion before any formal contract is approved. NTMWD remains committed to protecting the quality and sustainability of Lake O' the Pines and Caddo Lake. As proven environmental stewards, we are focused on safeguarding these vital water resources.' North Texas Municipal Water District Five of the seven cities that funded the lake will have to vote yes, but negotiations are still at an early stage. 'We've had some very, I think, informative meetings on Lake O' the Pines,' VanDeaver said. In both projects, lawmakers are insisting on a commitment to make sure East Texas water remains here at home. 'We hear you and we're fighting for you,' Hefner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas House bill could bring the end of Marvin Nichols Reservoir plan
AUSTIN, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – Texas State Representative Gary VanDeaver has filed two bills that could put an end to plans to kick residents off land in east Texas for the Marvin Nichols Reservoir project, which would provide water for the Dallas metro area. 'It's been, you know, very clear to me that this is an issue that needs to be addressed,' said District 1 Rep. Gary VanDeaver. House Bill 2109 would make it so that if a project has been part of a Texas Water Development board water plan for more than 50 years without starting construction, it would need to be removed. 'And of course, Marvin Nichols has been on the books, I believe since 1968, so well over 50 years.' said State Rep. VanDeaver, 'The thought behind that is if you identified it 50 years ago and you haven't needed it yet, then chances are, you know, you're not going to.' Homes and dreams of E. Texas residents could end up underwater VanDeaver wants to prevent Texas landowners from staying in limbo for decades like those living at the proposed reservoir site. 'There's an entire generation of landowners in Red River, Bowie County, you know, where this project is proposed, that, you know, they're afraid to build a home. They're afraid to build a barn or a permanent fence on their property. And it's time to set them free,' said State Rep. VanDeaver. House Bill 2114 was filed alongside that bill, and it would try to prevent conflicts of interest. 'Basically saying that if an engineering firm has been involved in helping the Texas Water Development Board identify projects to move forward, then that firm cannot be the firm that gets to build the project,' said State Rep. VanDeaver. Helping to ensure that projects are not being kept on water plans for reasons other than serving the water needs of Texans. 'What we see sometimes are these engineering firms that are heavily involved in the planning stages, and justifying a project to the Texas Water Development Board to get it in the plan. And then they come along and do the engineering work for the project and make millions and then hundreds of millions and in some cases billions of dollars on these projects,' said State Rep. VanDeaver. VanDeaver hopes his colleagues representing other rural districts will see the existential threat that projects like the Marvin Nichols Reservoir pose and support the bills. 'It doesn't matter whether they're in Red River County or any other county in the state of Texas. I want to do what's right for Texans, and we value private property ownership. And in Texas, We should not be in fear that at some point, they're going to come in, someone's going to come in and take my property.' said State Rep. VanDeaver, 'We're highly concerned and always attentive to attempts to take private property because we just see eminent domain misused many times.' District 5 State Rep. Cole Hefner coauthors the bills. VanDeaver says he will work hard to get a hearing on these bills once the house committees are set up. That way, the passionate Texans affected by the reservoir can go to Austin and tell their story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Texas reps file bills to oppose Marvin Nichols Reservoir
AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) – State Rep. Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant and State Rep. Gary VanDeaver of New Boston have both filed bills in opposition of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir. East Texans push back against reservoir that threatens their homes 'Private property is a sacred right in America. This should especially be true in our great stateof Texas. And yet, our people face a continued threat from big cities who wish to take away their land for the benefit of strangers to our communities,' a press release from Hefner's office said. 'That is what the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir project is all about: taking thousands of acres from Northeast Texans to solve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's water problems.' Hefner's House Bill 2109 would require Texas's water development board to remove a proposed reservoir from the State Water Plan if it doesn't start construction within 50 years of it first being included in the plan. VanDeaver's House Bill 2114 prevents engineering firms from working on constructing reservoirs if they were involved in the preparation of a state or regional water plan. 'I am grateful to Rep. VanDeaver for his outstanding leadership on this critical issue and look forward to working with him to protect our property rights. Generations of East Texas families have lived and died on these lands, and it is their right to allow their heirs to do the same. These lands are their heritage,' said Hefner. 'DFW must find another solution to its water woes without depriving our people of their land.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
