News & Events

School choice continues to dominate the national education debate and the Texas 2017 legislative session where two more state lawmakers filed bills, this time to pilot tax credit scholarship programs. “Texas is behind in education reform,” said Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston), who filed House Bill 1184 last week. It would create a $100 million education tax credit scholarship pilot program. Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) filed the companion Senate Bill 542.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops and the Texas Private Schools Association praised the filing of two bills today that will improve the educational opportunities for Texas school children. SB 542 and HB 1184 provide Texas insurance companies the opportunity to donate a portion of their tax liability to a qualifying nonprofit scholarship granting organization; the nonprofit scholarship organization then distributes scholarships to children who wish to enroll in private school or seek additional educational support services while remaining in public school. The bills were filed by Senator Paul Bettencourt and Rep. Dwayne Bohac, respectively.

State Representative Dwayne Bohac (District 138) was pleased to be invited to join Houston City Council Member Brenda Stardig (District A) along with representatives from Public Works & Engineering to officially break ground on the Gessner Road Drainage and Paving Project. The ceremony took place in front of Jerry’s Cleaners on Gessner Road Thursday morning. Special guests included Mayor Sylvester Turner, Council Member At-Large Mike Knox, Spring Branch ISD Board Member Chris Gonzalez and Spring Branch Management District Executive Director David Hawes.

Representative Dwayne Bohac (Houston) was pleased to present the House District 138 ornament that will be displayed on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree in the Texas House Chamber. Every year around Christmas, each State Legislator from all 150 House Districts chooses an organization, school or individual to design an ornament for the official Texas House Christmas Tree. The ornaments, representing the culture and personality of each district, are hung throughout the Season on the tree. 

U.S. Highway 290 has been under construction for years and drivers have been idling through for five years with the promise of a wider road and easier trips in and out of the city. Recently, State Reps. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) and Mike Schofield (R-Katy) gave an update on redevelopment of U.S. Highway 290 and the nearly completed I-610/U.S. 290 interchange.

Rep. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) and Rep. Mike Schofield (R-Katy) are pleased to share the latest news on the redevelopment of US Highway 290 and the nearly completed I-610/US 290 interchange. Construction continues this fall and through next year, and 290 is on track for completion in 2018, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The current interim plan from the 610 Loop along 290 out to the Grand Parkway will be completed at a cost of $1.27 billion.

With the start of the new school year once again around the corner, State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) reminds families and shoppers to take advantage of our state's annual sales tax holiday this weekend, August 5-7. The three day sales tax holiday exempts Texas shoppers from paying sales and use taxes on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100. This will save shoppers roughly $8 on every $100 they spend. Since the annual sales tax holiday was enacted in 1999, it has saved Texans over $949 million. This year, shoppers will save an estimated $92 million alone.

Are you concerned about rising property taxes? Do you wish there was a way you could voice your opinion and share your ideas with your state elected officials? If so, the Texas Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief is meeting tomorrow, May 10th at the University of Houston to take public testimony from area property owners.

Following Governor Greg Abbott's disaster proclamation after the devastating storms and flooding this month, the federal government has granted his request for a federal disaster declaration for four Texas counties, including Harris. The action paves the way for federal recovery assistance to begin flowing into the Houston area. Affected citizens in these counties may be eligible for Individual Assistance grants of up to $33,000 from the federal government, and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Governor Greg Abbott: “I would like to thank the President and FEMA for quickly granting Texas’ request for Individual Assistance following last week’s severe weather. The State of Texas will continue to work with our local and federal partners to aid Texans recovering and rebuilding from flood damages and ensure all those affected receive the assistance they need.”