We wrapped up this week’s town hall visits in Andrews, where I walked through how legislation moves through the Texas House and my role as your representative. A big part of that job is making sure West Texas has influence in the decisions being made at the Capitol and that the needs of our communities are considered early in the process. As Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some of the biggest policy issues facing Texas. The committee covers a wide range of subjects, and every one of them affects Texans. Texas is growing, and we need to be thinking ahead about what that growth will mean for our communities, infrastructure and resources. Thank you to everyone in Andrews who came out this week. It was great to see you.

Our second stop Wednesday was in Plains, and it was good to see such a large turnout from folks across Yoakum County. Thank you to Amber and her team for the hospitality and to Judge Ybarra for the warm welcome. We talked about how the legislative process begins, including our constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget and fund public education. From there, we covered some familiar territory from our other town halls, including property taxes, data centers and the issues affecting rural Texas. West Texas and our rural communities have a strong voice in Austin, including in leadership positions where some of the biggest decisions are made. I’m proud to be part of that representation. Thank you for welcoming me this week, Plains.

We started Wednesday in Levelland to meet with folks in Hockley County. I shared about my work as Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, where we saw more than 700 bills last session. State Affairs covers some of the biggest policy issues facing Texas, and that position gives me an opportunity to make sure the needs of our district aren't forgotten. We talked about disaster mitigation and getting resources where they’re needed, along with data centers and how we prepare for their growth while protecting our counties and private property rights. I appreciate how engaged everyone was. There were good questions and a lot for me to take back to Austin.

Our second stop yesterday was Memphis, and we had a good crowd come out for the Hall County town hall. Thank you to the Memphis Public Library for the warm welcome and for giving us a place to meet. We talked about some of the issues already getting a lot of attention ahead of the 90th Legislature, including property taxes, appraisal reform and data centers. I live in this district, too, and I want what’s best for the communities we share. I’ll be addressing the issues that affect all of us in the 90th Legislature, and I want to hear what you have to say as we prepare for it. Thank you, Hall County, for coming out and being part of the conversation.

We kicked off today’s town halls in Donley County with a fantastic group at Clarendon College. I spent time talking about what the Legislature is constitutionally required to do at the beginning of each session, what my day-to-day work in Austin looks like and how an idea actually makes its way through the bill process. We were also joined by a sharp-dressed group of Clarendon College students. I’m glad they took the time to come learn firsthand how the Texas Legislature works. We finished with questions from folks in the room and a chance to talk about some of their concerns. Thank you, Donley County, for starting the day with us.

I’ll be in Andrews Thursday morning for the final stop on this round of town halls across District 88. Join me from 10-11am at the National Bank of Andrews Community Room, 1501 N. Main St. I want to hear directly from folks in Andrews County about what you’re seeing in your community and what you want me to know before we head back to Austin for the 90th Legislature. Hope to see you there.

We’ll finish tomorrow’s town hall tour in Seminole. I’ll be at Seminole EMS, 401 NW 8th Street, from 2-3pm. Bring your questions and concerns, and let me know what you want me to take back to Austin. I always appreciate the opportunity to visit with folks in Gaines County.

Next stop tomorrow is Plains for our Yoakum County town hall. We’ll meet from 11am-12pm at the Plains State Bank Event Center, 601 9th Street. These conversations help me know what people across District 88 are seeing at home and what needs our attention in the 90th Legislature. I hope you’ll join me.

I’ll be in Levelland tomorrow morning as we continue our town hall tour across District 88. Join me from 9-10am at Levelland City Hall, 1709 Ave H. We’ve got another legislative session ahead of us, and I want to hear directly from folks in Hockley County before we get back to work in Austin. Come by and visit.

We’ll finish Tuesday’s town halls in Silverton. Join me at the Silverton Public Library from 3-4pm. Before another legislative session begins, I want to hear directly from the people I represent about what’s happening in Briscoe County and what needs our attention in Austin. Come by and visit.

Memphis is our second stop next Tuesday. We’ll meet at the Memphis Public Library from 1-2pm. These town halls are a chance for me to talk about what we’re working on, but I’m there to listen, too. Bring your questions, concerns and ideas for the 90th Legislature. I’ll be glad to see you there.

We’re starting another round of town halls next Tuesday in Clarendon. I’ll be at the Bairfield Activity Building at Clarendon College from 10:30-11:30am. The 90th Legislature will be here before we know it, and I want to hear what folks in Donley County think we need to be working on when we get back to Austin. Come by and visit with me. Hope to see you there.

We had a great group in Miami for our Roberts County town hall. This one felt more like a roundtable, with a relaxed conversation and plenty of back and forth about what’s happening in Roberts County and what’s ahead in the 90th Legislature. We talked through some of the issues facing Texas, but just as important, I had the chance to listen to the priorities and concerns of the folks in the room. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

It was good to be back in Canadian for our Hemphill County town hall last week. I shared a little about my road to the Legislature, but most of our time was spent talking about what you want us working on in the 90th. We talked about disaster preparedness and the progress we’re seeing from work already done in Austin. That’s one of the best parts of this job: working on an issue and then seeing the results in my district. We also spent time on data centers and what comes next as Texas considers regulation, electricity transmission and the impact on landowners. Thank you to everyone who came out.

Enjoyed visiting with folks in Collingsworth County this week. A special thank you to the Collingsworth County Museum for once again giving us such a great place to hold our town hall. We talked about what to expect in the 90th Legislature, including our appraisal system, tackling interoperability and the environmental impacts that come with the growth of data centers. Thank you to everyone who came out.

Kicked off a round of town halls in Wheeler yesterday morning. We covered priorities for the 90th Legislature, property taxes, disaster preparedness and interoperability, along with some of the big issues facing Texas as data centers drive new demand for electricity and transmission. I especially enjoyed hearing from a constituent who has been watching our committee hearings and following along on the House floor. Folks are paying attention. Thank you, Wheeler County, for the conversation and the hospitality.

Last stop next Wednesday will be in Childress. We’ll meet from 2-3pm at the Childress Regional Medical Center, T Smith Education Room. Use the south-side entrance. One of the best parts of traveling District 88 is getting away from Austin and spending time with the people I work for. Come tell me what you’re seeing in Childress County and what you think needs our attention when the Legislature meets again.

Wellington is also on the schedule next Wednesday. I’ll be at the Collingsworth County Museum from 11 to noon and hope you’ll stop by. We’ve got another legislative session coming up, and these town halls give me a chance to hear directly from the folks who live and work in the communities I represent. Bring your questions, concerns and ideas. See you on Wednesday.

Miami is on the schedule next Thursday morning. I’ll be at the Miami Community Building from 10:45 to 11:45am. These town halls give me a chance to hear directly from the people I represent before we get back to work in Austin. Bring your questions and I look forward to seeing you there.

I’ll be back in Canadian next Thursday for our Hemphill County town hall. Before another legislative session gets underway, I want to hear from you before I head back to Austin. Come by and visit. Hope to see you there.