Last week, a Texas A&M junior from Sugar Land, Texas, who did not live on campus, suffered from bacterial meningitis and died in a College Station hospital. “When a student dies from the area I represent, it really hits home that we need to change the law to include that all college students need to be vaccinated,” said Rep. Reynolds.  Since the student was not living in a dorm on campus, he was not required to be vaccinated.  Rep. Reynolds said, “We need to pass this bill to save lives on college campuses and HB 1557 will help accomplish that.”

Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, but the early symptoms can mimic the flu. According to the CDC, about 10 percent of people who get infected with bacterial meningitis die, in spite of treatment with antibiotics.  Even students who do not live in a dorm are at risk since they are still in close proximity to other students in the classroom, the library and other campus settings.

“I am appreciative that Chairman Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) has joint authored this legislation with me, and I look forward to working with him in a by-partisan manner to pass this important life saving legislation,” Rep. Reynolds concluded.

The District Attorney’s Office has brought (via indictment) misdemeanor charges against four of the officers shown in the video. The explanation for this is that in order for felony assault charges to be filed, a deadly weapon must be used during the assault and/or the victim must have suffered serious bodily injury.

Rep. Reynolds (D- District 27, Fort Bend) responded, “I have reviewed the video tape and find the actions of the HPD officers deplorable. The officers should be terminated from HPD and charged with a felony. I strongly believe the police officers’ actions should be subjected to a review that is equal to what would be expected of every citizen within the state of Texas. I truly believe that this has brought attention to a legislative loop hole that I am committed to change. I am extremely disappointed that the actions of a few police officers may have contaminated the relationship with those that wear the uniform, and often make the ultimate sacrifice.”

“I am encouraged that we will take this terrible incident and use it as a means to ensure that proper charges are filed in this incident, that police officers in the field report misconduct and those arbitrators assigned to police discipline cases have a specific nexus to the Houston community,” Rep. Reynolds stated.

“I am delighted with my committee assignments and will work together with the chairmen and other members of the committees to ensure passage of quality legislation to benefit the people of my district and the state,” remarked Rep. Reynolds.

The Economic and Small Business Development Committee is a newly created committee for this session. “I would like to thank the Speaker for creating this new committee in these difficult economic times to address the critical issue of ensuring the vitality of small businesses as we emerge into a more prosperous future. One of my priorities for this legislative session is to work diligently to improve the environment for small businesses. I am proud to serve the people of my district and am ready to embark on these new responsibilities,” said Rep. Reynolds.

Rep. Reynolds looks forward to working hard in his committees to put Texas families first. “We have many serious issues to tackle and have tough decisions to make,” added Rep. Reynolds.  “I am looking forward to working hard for the residents of District 27.”

AUSTIN, Texas (Jan. 13, 2011) — At the Austin State Capitol on inauguration day, Tuesday, Jan. 11, Ron Reynolds (D-Texas) was officially sworn in as State Representative of Fort Bend County House District 27 before a capacity crowd.

“I’m ready to serve the citizens of Fort Bend in this official capacity and look forward to representing the voice of my constituents,” said State Rep. Reynolds.

Responding to the 82nd Legislature’s immediate business to address the budget shortfall announced by the State Comptroller, State Rep. Reynolds remarked, “Texas may face a $27 billion shortfall. I look forward to working across the aisle to find ways to lower the deficit that won’t compromise our children’s education and Texas’ global competitive advantage.”

State Rep. Reynolds is a Partner in the law firm of Brown, Brown & Reynolds, P.C.  He is a former Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston and Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University. He serves on the FBISD Bond Advisory Committee and is Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association. State Rep. Reynolds has received numerous achievement awards for his legal and civic engagement.  Recently, he was voted “Best Attorney in Houston” by H Texas Magazine.

Capitol Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel at the Capitol.

With the makeup of Texas and many other states rapidly changing, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC) has themed its 11th Summit “African Americans staying relevant in the midst of changing demographics.”

This year’s Summit will also feature big name speakers – Debra Lee, CEO of BET, and CNN media personality Roland Martin – giving their perspectives on the topic.

Monday evening the premier event of the Conference, the 2011 TLBC Scholarship Banquet, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., where the TLBC will award more than 50 scholarships and more than $100,000 in awards.

Free event registration includes banquet, food and entertainment.

Register: http://tinyurl.com/TLBC2011

Please share this invitation with your friends and help us celebrate Black History Month by creating a better future.

For more information visit: http://texaslegislativeblackcaucus.com/

Facebook Event:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=144969765564006

Reynolds defeated longtime incumbent Dora Olivo to represent District 27, one of the fastest-growing and most diverse districts in the state.

Included in the district are the cities of Arcola, Fairchilds, Fresno, Pleak, Richmond, Rosenberg, Thompsons and portions of Houston, Missouri City and Stafford. Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Stafford Municipal School District and Fort Bend and Needville school districts are included in District 27.

Reynolds said he’s looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and has several objectives.

The legislative session officially begins noon Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the Capitol in Austin.

“First of all, I plan to work with the Fort Bend delegation of (District 26 state Rep.) Charlie Howard and (District 28 state Rep.) John Zerwas to make sure we work together in a bipartisan manner so we accomplish the goals for the district,” Reynolds said. “We have all three talked about how we can work together and be beneficial for Fort Bend County.”

Among the biggest challenges, Reynolds said, will be balancing a state budget with an estimated $25 billion shortfall.

“That’s going to take a lot of work and creativity, to see where we make the necessary cuts,” he said.

As far as Reynolds is concerned, those cuts won’t be aimed at school funding.

“That’s where my passion is – public education,” he said. “My dream would be to see a public school finance bill passed that would clear up the inequities in public school financing. Right now there are a lot of rich schools and poor schools; you have too many disparities.”

For his part, Reynolds believes the current school financing system needs to be revamped.

“It doesn’t make sense. It needs to be simplified. It needs to be a common-sense formula … so you don’t create winners and losers,” he said.

Another matter sure to take up much of legislators’ time, said Reynolds, will be carving out the four new districts made necessary by tremendous state growth, with a shift away from rural areas.

“That’s always a big fight, from my understanding. Everything has to be very proportional,” he said, adding he hopes to be “a voice of reason when it comes to some of the bills that have already been filed; for instance, immigration and voter ID.”

With plenty of “volatile issues” and the new “super majority” of 101 Republicans versus 49 Democrats, Reynolds predicted it will be “a very difficult session; one of the most contentious sessions in years.”

“I think that I’m pretty even-tempered and not real partisan; more middle-of-the-road-centered,” he said. “It’s very exciting for me, you know – fresh blood, eager, optimistic – but I realize the challenges that lie ahead.”

Olivo knows those challenges all too well; the attorney and former schoolteacher who lives in Rosenberg served seven two-year terms in office before falling to Reynolds in the Democratic primary in March.

“It’s been a blessing; a really wonderful journey,” she said. “I learned from the best.”

Among her accomplishments in office, Olivo lists a successful fight to increase funding for public schools and working for quality education, the creation of more accessible and affordable health care for families, battling a landfill expansion and protecting the safety and welfare of the mentally challenged.

“I feel proud of the work for the mentally challenged and environmental issues such as landfills. I fought hard for the state school, for legislation for the mentally challenged. It’s hard to get everything passed, but you try,” she said. “I’m thankful; it was really a privilege to serve the people of the state of Texas in my district. I met some wonderful people not only in my district, but across the state.”

http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/stories/226327-new-state-rep-ready-to-get-started

With the $27 billion budget shortfall faced by the state this session, we must put protections in place so that increased costs do not transfer to the local governments. Budget cuts are inevitable this session and payments to local governments will almost certainly be reduced. However, the mandates to the counties to provide services remain in place. This would be a tremendous burden for entities whose budgets are also currently strapped.

Of particular concern is how the burden of tax cuts and budget cuts could affect school districts which have increasingly numerous mandates issued by the state that restrict their ability to find relief and their flexibility to shift costs to meet their local needs. Community colleges could also suffer as costs shift downward and tuition exemptions and financial aid is reduced. Student needs become more difficult to meet and the shift in costs hinder our ability to have an educated workforce and vital economy in the future.

Criminal Justice is another area that already has huge disparities in state and local shares of costs. The indigent defense fund which requires legal counsel for any who needs assistance is in desperate financial condition. There are also mandates which include jail standards, prisoner expenses, witness reimbursement, and health care. There are many other local programs and activities affected by practically insurmountable mandates without raising taxes on local residents.

This legislation (HJR 56) that I am supporting will put in place safeguards that will protect our local governments from out of control budgets while we maintain financial responsibility at all levels of government.

“I’m ready to serve the citizens of Fort Bend in this official capacity and look forward to representing the voice of my constituents,” said State Rep. Reynolds.

Responding to the 82nd Legislature’s immediate business to address the budget shortfall announced by the State Comptroller, State Rep. Reynolds remarked, “Texas may face a $27 billion shortfall. I look forward to working across the aisle to find ways to lower the deficit that won’t compromise our children’s education and Texas’ global competitive advantage.”

Reynolds Swearing In With Family
L-R: Chris Brown, Attorney Conrell Brown, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Dr. Anita Wallace and Carlton Wallace

State Rep. Reynolds is a Partner in the law firm of Brown, Brown & Reynolds, P.C. He is a former Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston and Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University. He serves on the FBISD Bond Advisory Committee and is Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association. State Rep. Reynolds has received numerous achievement awards for his legal and civic engagement. Recently, he was voted “Best Attorney in Houston” by H Texas Magazine.

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