| An Update from Representative Cohen |
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The quick and efficient election of Rep. Joe Strauss as
the new Speaker of the House seemingly set a tone
for the month as January sped by. I have particularly
been impressed by the sense of camaraderie and
cooperation between members as we began this 81st
Legislative Session.
After being sworn in on January 13th, I have continued
to
work on my legislative agenda which currently
includes:
Expanding CHIP to cover more uninsured
children, maximize federal funds, and a "buy in"
option
Establishing a Texas Holocaust and Genocide
Commission
Using a consistent measure for regulating electric
bikes
Ensuring a Smoke-Free Texas by eliminating
smoking in all work and public places
I am also tracking legislative efforts around the Top
Ten Percent Rule, college tuition freezes,
a "Prevention Works" bill regarding sex education, and
raising the exemption to the business franchise tax.
The initial meeting with the
bipartisan Air Quality Caucus has already netted
valuable dialogue.
I invite you to keep up with bills as they are introduced
and move from committees to a vote. You have two
options to track the status of bills. Online you can use
the Texas House of
Representative Bill Search
(click here). Or you can call 877-824-7038.
Also, please consider a visit to the Capitol while the
session is in progress. Yes, you can watch live broadcasts online. But there's nothing like
experiencing the action firsthand.
Thank you again for the opportunity to represent
District 134. I value your input -- via letters, emails,
calls, or the survey
we now have online.
State Representative Ellen Cohen
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| Cohen Named to Appropriations & Higher Education Committees |
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House Speaker Joe Straus named Representative
Cohen to the Appropriations and Higher Education
Committees on Thursday, Feb. 12.
"I want to thank Speaker Straus for his trust in me. To
serve on Appropriations and Higher Education is a
great responsibility, and I look forward to the
challenge. My experience in running an over $6 million
non-profit organization will help me in dealing with the
budgetary issues.
"Issues surrounding
Higher Education are extremely important to my
district. I look forward to serving the people of our
district by working on these two committees."
Now in her second term representing District 134,
Rep. Cohen previously served on the Urban Affairs
and Public Health committees.
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| Students Invited to Become Honorary Pages |
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The House sponsors an Honorary Page Program for
students 8 to 18 years of age. Each page serves a
half-day shift in which he/she has the opportunity to
watch the House proceedings, is granted floor access
and works with the Sergeant-at-Arms office.
To become a page representing District
134, students must email
his/her name, address, phone number, parents'
and/or guardians' names and school to
info@ellencohen.o
rg. We will then do our best to accommodate the
request.
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| Meet Eronn Putman, TLIP Legislative Aide |
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Eronn Putman recently joined the staff of Rep. Cohen
as part of the Texas Legislative Internship Program
(TLIP). She is serving as a Legislative Aide during the
81st Legislative Session working alongside Rep.
Cohen's Capitol staff.
A Houston native and graduate of the Unversity of
Houston with a political science major, Putman plans
on attending law school after the session.
TLIP is sponsored by Senator Rodney Ellis and
administered by the Mickey Leland Center on World
Hunger and Peace at Texas Southern University.
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| Attention All Civic Clubs |
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Our District Office is updating contact informaion for
the various civic clubs in District 134. Please send the
civic club name, address, phone number, email
address, website, and primary contact name/number
to
info@ellencohen.org. Thank you for helping us
keep in contact with
what is happening in your neighborhood.
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