Debbie Riddle | Texas House of Representatives, District 150

Call To Action On HB 3361 “Low Income Housing”

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:30:13 +0000

I have worked hard to preserve your voice regarding low income apartment housing in District 150. Now, I need your help.

Call your State Senator, Senator Birdwell (the Senate sponsor for HB 3361), and the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee to urge support for HB 3361 with the Anchia Amendment where it allows Legislators to write letters for or against low income housing and to have positive or negative points assigned to those letters.

HB 3361 passed the House and is now in the Senate. It was not an easy process, but with a bi-partisan effort of Chairman Debbie Riddle (R), Chairman Harold Dutton (D), Chairman Senfronia Thompson (D), Chairman Patricia Harless (R), and Chairman Sylvester Turner (D), we were successful in changing the Anchia Amendment so that it maintains the voice of the people by continuing the negative and positive point system in the application process, so that legislators can write letters in support or in opposition to low-income housing projects. To eliminate that system eliminates our voice.

It is now necessary to let the Senate know that you want to protect your voice by keeping the 3rd Reading Anchia Amendment in the bill. If Senators do not wish to participate in the application process, then at the very least, they need to pass a version of the bill allowing the point system to remain in place for State Representatives to speak on behalf of their constituents in their districts.

Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee:

Senator Juan Hinojosa: 512-463-0120

Senator Robert Nichols: 512-463-0103

Senator Sylvia Garcia: 512-463-0106

Senator Ken Paxton: 512-463-0108

Senator Larry Taylor: 512-463-0111

Senate Sponsor for HB 3361:

Senator Brain Birdwell: 512-463-0122

Representative Debbie Riddle’s Press Release On HB 1600 “PUC SUNSET” Cease And Desist Amendment

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:02:50 +0000

AUSTIN – Last week the Texas House voted to defend the Public Utility Commission’s ability to step in and protect vulnerable Texans. The PUC sunset bill, HB 1600, contained a common sense provision allowing the PUC to issue cease and desist orders against energy companies who threaten to shut off power at someone’s home regardless of the consequences. We are talking about emergency situations only. For example, if someone was on dialysis and power was about to be cut off the PUC could step in and prevent a life threatening act. If a city or region was experiencing extreme heat the PUC could step in and stop the power from being cut off at the home of an elderly couple who would be placed at great risk if they lost power. HB 1600 gives the PUC the right tool for a very important job.

My colleagues and I who voted to protect the public have come under criticism, accused of granting too much power to a state agency. This could not be further from the truth. The PUC has had a version of this ability for years and they have only used in once since 2007. Moreover, energy companies have access to a quick due process if the PUC decided to exercise their ability.

We should not be playing politics with people’s lives and casting aspersions upon those who choose to defend the sick and elderly.

Rep. Riddle Statement on HB 1706

admin — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:42:16 +0000

AUSTIN- Representative Debbie Riddle (R-District 150) has issued the following statement on
House Bill 1706, related to breastfeeding:

“I am a mother of three and a grandmother of ten. I breastfed. I support breastfeeding. I
wholeheartedly support the current breastfeeding law in Texas, which allows a mother to
breastfeed her baby anywhere she is allowed to be. However, I do not support passing
legislation which increases the number of lawsuits in our courts. Because House Bill 1706 paves
the way for more litigation, I do not support it.”

Representative Debbie Riddle’s Statement on 83rd Session Committee Appointments

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:34:48 +0000

AUSTIN – Today Representative Debbie Riddle was appointed Chair of the Texas House Select Committee on Criminal Procedure Reform by Speaker Joe Straus. The committee is tasked with reviewing the Code of Criminal Procedure and recommending revisions. The Select Committee’s mission is as follows:

“The Code of Criminal Procedure governs the treatment of every person and entity involved in a criminal proceeding in Texas. It safeguards the rights of the accused and our State. The code provides mechanisms not only for prosecution but also for prevention of crimes against our citizens. This vital statute has not been rewritten since 1965. As a result, it has become overcrowded, disorganized, and difficult to navigate, such that there is a pressing need to consider rewriting and reorganizing it. Therefore, this select committee shall study and make recommendations regarding the reorganization and revision of the Code of Criminal Procedure.”

Representative Riddle was also named to the House Transportation Committee and House Corrections Committee.

“It is an honor to serve my constituents and the State of Texas as Chair of the Select Committee on Criminal Procedure Reform and as a member of the House Transportation and Corrections Committees” said Riddle. “These committee assignments will help me serve the people of District 150 as they raise their families and build the beautiful community I have been proud to call home for many years. Speaker Straus has given me a great responsibility and I look forward to the challenge.”

January 10th Legislative Update

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:38:05 +0000

Legislative Update 6 – Today we were on the floor of the House for a short time – we are still working on the House Rules. We will vote on the rules on Monday. It seems that we always get a slow start because of all the “housekeeping” things we must do prior to starting the business of passing legislation – and in fact we do get a slow start. But, it is necessary in order to get these foundational things done so we can have a successful session and make things run as smoothly as possible. However, this is part of the reason we must work 18 to 20 hour days later on in the Session. As I am writing this post I am in my office working on our legislation and preparing for tomorrow. On Friday my staff and I will be taken to the Texas border to see the areas of concern and what is happening with our border security. I do not think I will get back in time to post what we saw but I will make that report on Monday. Have a wonderful Friday and a blessed weekend.

January 9th Legislative Update

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:36:54 +0000

Update five – Yesterday was Opening Day at the Capitol – we were blessed with many friends and family attending. Today we began our first legislative day at 10:00 AM . The first thing we will be doing is establishing our House Rules. We must establish the Rules first and that will help keep everything in good order. There is always debate however regarding the rules and today was no exception. We will be working on the rules until Monday when we vote on them. After we were adjourned this afternoon we had a Republican Caucus meeting with the Gov. Perry – issues like water, good roads and security were just a few of the issues we will be addressing. Will post more tomorrow.

January 4th Legislative Update

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:35:25 +0000

Update Four – Today our focus is on getting the Austin office ready for Opening Day or Swearing-in Day. Moving an office is like moving your home – So many details. Yesterday we moved my district office to a new location on Kuykendahl – after 10 years of being in that one location I found many things in my desk & packed away that brought back so many memories. A picture of my Daddy & me in my first office at the Capitol (Daddy passed away shortly after my first Session began) Another picture of my eldest grandson Donny & me at my first Swearing-in – Donny was only 8 (he is now 18!!) Together we have accomplished so much and we have so much more to do – but you will have a daily update as to our progress. Thank you for being part of the solution rather than part of the problem. More tomorrow.

January 3rd Legislative Update

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:34:33 +0000

Third legislative update – Today we will be reviewing the bills we have filed and those in Legislative Council being drafted. I am also looking at polishing my Sanctuary City Bill for reintroduction again this session. Of course we are doing all we can to give our teachers the best tools we can to teach our children. I have 10 grandchildren and want all of them and all the children in Texas well educated ! Border security is a BIG issue for me and I will be traveling to the border to meet with law enforcement – boots on the ground – to see the issue from their view point and what they need. Each day I will give more details on each bill being introduced and other bills we hear in committee or on the floor of the House. Today we are moving our District Office – where I have been for the last 10 years – we can save over $400 a month of your money with the new office on Kuykendahl. After this Legislative Session is over we will have a big Open House at the new District Office. We are getting the new office at the Capitol ready for everyone visiting for Swearing-in Day – Let me know when you will be in Austin – I would love to see you and have you visit our new office located at 4 N 7 in the Capitol!! Look for tomorrows update!!

January 2nd Legislative Update

admin — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:33:56 +0000

Second Day Update – preparing for Swearing-in Day is at a fever pitch now – Jan 8 is almost here. Where pictures will be hung in the office – items to be arranged – bills in Legislative Council to check on – clothes to take to the cleaners. I did an interview on KTRH about 6:40 this morning and answered questions about some of my bills. One is do do drug testing on those accepting unemployment checks or Temporary assistance prior to unemployment. Another is allowing teachers who so choose and have the training and CHL will be able to carry on their person a gun into the school and classroom. We are fine tuning that bit of legislation. I am taking a trip to the border in a few days and visiting with law enforcement to see what is going on with the boots on the ground – will go from their regarding border security. Check in for update tomorrow. Debbie

January 1st Legislative Update

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:33:30 +0000

Today begins my bringing to you the activities of the Texas legislature. This is what is going on now – everyone is in the process of getting ready for January 8 – Swearing-in Day at the Capitol. Offices have been chosen & folks are moving in their new offices or getting their furniture arranged as they like. Desks on the floor of the House have been chosen & are ready. Bills are being written in Legislative Council at the request of House members. New members are making final arrangements for where they will live & are getting settled in their apartments. Final arrangements are being made as new staff members & interns are being hired. The women are getting their wardrobes assembled & moved to Austin. Swearing-in Day is a celebration for everyone with family, friends and supporters. Committees must be established, rules considered, decisions must be made regarding the committee requests. The Speaker is chosen on Swearing-in Day & he will begin his work regarding his choices for committee chairmen & committee appointments. This process takes time – so no committee hearings occur until their are chairmen and committee members. That is what is happening now – more updates tomorrow.