Richard's Blog
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LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – The 85th Texas Legislative Session has come to a close with hundreds of bills signed into law, including the controversial, ‘Sanctuary Cities’ bill. KGNS spoke with Representative Richard Peña Raymond on the recent session and asked what his opinions were on the bills passed. One bill Raymond felt strongly about was…
By César Rodriguez, LMTonline.com / Laredo Morning Times State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond said Tuesday he passed legislation to remove the toll on Camino Colombia, or State Highway 255, making it the first road statewide to have its toll removed. Raymond said motorists were not using the 22-mile stretch that connects the Colombia Solidarity International…
AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, today appointed Representative Richard Peña Raymond, Chairman of the House Committee on Human Services, as one of five State Representatives to serve on the powerful Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. This high-ranking commission is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability and efficiency in state government. Rep. Raymond will help lead the sunset review…
It is not too late for Texans to get vaccinated and protect themselves during peak flu season AUSTIN — By December, many Texans may mistakenly feel that it is too late to get vaccinated against the flu. But December through February is the peak season for the flu in Texas and by getting immunized during…
AUSTIN– HB 1501 signed by the Governor and effective immediately pays tribute to the memory of the men, women and children lost in the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 and honors the heroic actions of all first responders and volunteers who aided the innocent victims by putting themselves in harm’s way following the attacks.…
May 14, 2013 Hearing Bills Considered by Chairman Raymond’s Committee SB 44: Reporting in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini, et al. House Sponsor: Rep. Cindy Burkett The purpose of SB 44 is to exempt parents whose sole purpose for relinquishment of their parental rights is to obtain mental health services for…
May 7, 2013 Hearing Bills Considered by Chairman Raymond’s Committee SB 128: Criminal History Information Author: Sen. Jane Nelson SB 128 allows the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to better connect clients to employment and training programs by making the agency’s authority to obtain criminal background checks consistent across all programs. Currently,…
Bills Considered by Chairman Raymond’s Committee April 30, 2013 Hearing SB 7: Improving the Delivery of Certain Health and Human Services Author: Sen. Jane Nelson, et al. SB 7 improves the coordination of Medicaid long-term care services and supports with acute care services, redesigns the long-term care services and support system to more efficiently serve…
Bills Considered by Chairman Raymond’s Committee April 23, 2013 Hearing HB 486: Outsourcing to Private Commercial Contractors Author: Rep. Dawnna Dukes Health and human services agencies often contract with private entities to provide state services and to save government funds. To fully anticipate potential impacts as the agencies contract state services, the state has…
Bills Considered by Chairman Raymond’s Committee April 9, 2013 Hearing HB 3158: Contracts for Medicaid Managed Care Author: Rep. John Zerwas A health maintenance organization can currently contract with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to become a managed care organization. The state administers Medicaid and CHIP managed care through managed care organizations, which…