Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, is retiring from the Texas House. In announcing his retirement on Oct. 19, he says, "it is time for new opportunities" in his life. The Representative was first elected in 2011 and has served through six regular and nine special sessions. This year alone, Gov. Greg Abbott called three special sessions after the 87th regular session ended. "As the third Special Session ends, I have decided to announce my retirement from the Texas House of Representatives when my term is complete," he says in a news release. "I have thought long and hard about this decision and know it is time for new opportunities in my life. It's been an honor to represent the people and communities of District 127 at the Texas Capitol, and I'm proud of the work our team has accomplished." During each of his previous sessions, Huberty served on the Committee on Public Education, including as chairman of the committee during the 85th and 86th Legislative Sessions. He was a member of the Committees on County Affairs, Pensions, State Affairs, and Calendars in previous sessions. Huberty also served on the Select Committee on Redistricting and a Select Committee on Transportation Funding, Expenditures and Finance, according to his online House biography. Among the legislation he believes will have a lasting impact is House Bill 3, a comprehensive education bill passed by the state's 86th legislative session. The bill, which Huberty served as its primary author, provided more money for state classrooms, increased teacher compensation, reduced recapture, and cut local property taxes for taxpayers. According to a Texas Tribune report, $6.5 billion was earmarked for improving public education and paying teachers, while $5.1 billion was earmarked for lowering school taxes. The Texas Education Agency referred to reform as "one of the most transformative Texas education bills in recent history." Additionally, Huberty passed a bill creating an opt-in program for prekindergarten and passed fourteen other bills addressing over-testing of students in grades 3 through 8, co-generation facility sales options, and prohibiting the use of Common Core Curriculum in Texas schools. Additionally, he helped pass The Foundation High School Program, which overhauled the requirements for graduation by focusing on real paths to employment and reducing the number of end-of-year tests. In addition, he passed five pieces of legislation, including one regulating illegal sand mining along the San Jacinto River and another eliminating duplicative reporting for special education teachers. "I want to thank the people of the district who have been supportive through all the ups and downs in my career, as they always believed in me and trusted me to fight on their behalf," he says. "I want to thank my amazing staff that have worked for me over the years, especially my Chief of Staff Casey Christman." In the news release, Huberty goes on to thank his family for understanding the commitment that comes with the role of a public servant. In April, Huberty was arrested for DWI after hitting a minivan with his Corvette and failing a sobriety test, according to a Texas Tribune article. At the time of the arrest, he refused a sobriety test. Still, in a public statement made on Facebook, he said he was "driving under the influence of alcohol," that he regretted his actions and that he was "seeking treatment options ..." To learn more about Huberty, visit: |
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Oct
22
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