2008 News & Media

(Crosbyton, December 20, 2008) – Today State Representative Joe Heflin congratulated the administrators, teachers, students, and parents of 17 high schools in House District 85 for being recognized among America's best high schools in the December 4 issue of U.S. News & World Report.

The 2009 list of America's Best High Schools included the following high schools attended by students living in Texas House District 85: Abernathy, Borden County, Cotton Center, Dawson, Floydada, Glasscock County, Hamlin, Haskell, Irion, Loop, Meadow, New Home, O'Donnell, Ralls, Sands, Southland, and Wellman-Union. Out of more than 21,000 schools analyzed nationwide, the recognized schools were among a group of less than 2,000 to receive awards.

"Being listed among America's Best High Schools is quite an accomplishment," said Rep. Heflin. "Fewer than 10% of high schools nationwide received this honor, but one-third of the high schools in House District 85 were recognized. That speaks very well of the administrators, teachers, students and parents in West Texas," Heflin added.

The list of America's Best High Schools recognizes high schools that serve all their students well, not just those bound for college. For a school to make the list, its students must perform better statistically on state standardized testing than the average student in the state. In addition, the schools' least-advantaged students must be performing better statistically than their statewide peers.

"Public education ensures that our children have an opportunity to succeed," continued Rep. Heflin. "For many of our rural communities, it is the foundation of economic life both now and for the future. I am very pleased to see so many of our area high schools recognized for their contributions," he concluded.

Rep. Heflin represents House District 85, which includes Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. A complete listing of school districts located in House District 85 may be found at http://joeheflin.com/links.html. Rep. Heflin may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.1583, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Crosbyton, October 13, 2008) – State Representative Joe Heflin announced today that he will be participating in two additional hearings of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform to consider property tax and appraisal issues related to damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

In making the announcement, Rep. Heflin said, "I look forward to hearing how the State can help Texas taxpayers recover as quickly as possible when natural disasters strike. Every year Texas communities are impacted by floods, droughts, fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes. It is time for Texas to have a coherent and well-thought-out policy that helps damaged communities both to rebuild and to recover their tax base."

A member of the Select Committee, Rep. Heflin said that the first of the newly-scheduled hearings will be held in Austin on November 7. The second hearing will be held before Thanksgiving, although the exact time and location had not been finalized at press time. Appraisal and tax experts will appear to advise the Select Committee on state tax policy and how to address the overwhelming economic losses and massive destruction of residential and business properties caused by Hurricane Ike.

Rep. Heflin went on to express his sympathy and support for citizens directly impacted by Hurricane Ike. "It will take years of hard work for the Gulf Coast to repair, rebuild, and return to its usual way of life. Our state tax policies should not get in the way of the rebuilding effort," he concluded.

The Select Committee will hear only invited testimony at the two additional hearings. More information about these and previous meetings of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform can be found at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.

(Post, October 17, 2008) – State Representative Joe Heflin received Texas Medicine's Champion of Rural Health Award today. Post physician Dr. Ben Edwards presented Rep. Heflin with the award on behalf of seven Texas medical societies: Texas Medical Association PAC (TEXPAC), Texas Academy of Family Physicians Political Action Committee, Texas Osteopathic Medical Association PAC, Texas Ophthalmological Association PAC, Texas Orthopedic Association, Texas Obstetrician and Gynecological Society, and Texas Dermatological Society Political Action Committee.

In presenting the award Dr. Edwards stated, "All of us who work daily to improve the health of Texas want to honor Rep. Heflin. We want to recognize Rep. Heflin for his hard work and dedication to ensure patients, especially rural patients, have access to high quality health care."

Dr. Edwards continued, "As a freshman legislator, Rep. Heflin has demonstrated his commitment and leadership to ensure rural patients get the healthcare they need, when they need it. He has proven himself a champion on issues that matter most to his constituents. His record of achievements includes supporting efforts to provide healthcare for the uninsured, including patients who rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. He also supported legislation that provided funding and infrastructure for graduate medical education – so Texas can produce more rural physicians to provide primary care prevention services, special preventive healthcare for women, and to work in our mental crisis centers."

Concluded Dr. Edwards, "Rep. Heflin also understands that patients and doctors must have control of healthcare decisions. To this end, he supported legislation to increase the accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of Texas' ailing healthcare system. In just one legislative session, Rep. Heflin has stood up and fought for his constituents and demonstrated his leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with him as we strive to bring the best healthcare to all rural patients. It is with great honor that I present Rep. Heflin with Texas Medicine's Champion of Rural Health Award. Thank you so much for your commitment to improve the health of all Texans."

Receiving the award, Rep. Heflin said, "Rural healthcare is of vital importance to House District 85. We must continue to provide quality healthcare for all residents, especially our children and elderly."

WACO–The Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund (AGFUND), Inc . has endorsed incumbent Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) as he seeks reelection as State Representative from District 85.

"As the grandson of a cotton farmer, Rep. Heflin has agriculture in his blood," said Texas Farm Bureau and AGFUND President Kenneth Dierschke . "His heritage loomed large in his first session in the Texas Legislature as he worked skillfully to keep the issues important to farmers and ranchers on the front burner."

Rep. Heflin serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and on the House Committee on County Affairs. He also serves on the Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee of the National Conference of Legislators.

Before his election to the State House, Rep. Heflin was county judge of Crosby County for five years. He was also elected to two terms as Crosbyton City Alderman.

AGFUND is Texas Farm Bureau's political action fund. It is a legal entity separate from the Texas Farm Bureau and may endorse and contribute financially to political candidates.

(Crosbyton, July 18, 2008) - Representative Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton), House District 85, is pleased to report that the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Thursday approved "scenario 2," which is the transmission line plan that will eventually move a total of 18,456 megawatts of wind power from West Texas to the state's power grid. According to the PUC news release, scenario 2 is estimated to cost $4.93 billion or $4 per month per residential customer and will be completed within four to five years.

Rep. Heflin stated: Several counties in House District 85 have been designated by the PUC as proposed routes for the new transmission lines to move the energy produced by our West Texas wind farms to the rest of the state. Scenario 2 appears to be a good plan that benefits the existing wind farms, as well as giving companies the assurances they need to invest in and develop even more wind farms.

Heflin went on to say that: The lack of transmission lines created a situation where the power currently produced by the wind farms was constrained by the lack of available transmission lines. The increased transmission capacity will spur the development of even more wind farm projects, which is good for the residents and economy of our area. Developers now know that expanding their wind farm operations is good business because when the new transmission lines are built, additional energy can be produced and loaded onto the grid. This is a win-win for our area and the state.

The House District 85 counties currently included in the proposed routes for the new transmission lines are: Borden, Fisher, Floyd, Glascock, Howard, Jones, Kent and Sterling. The PUC will take a final vote on its transmission line plan either later in July or sometime in August. A map of scenario 2 of the competitive renewal energy zones (CREZ) is available on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) website at: www.ercot.com. Search for "scenario 2" to find the map.

(Austin) - Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland), today, appointed Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) to the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform. The committee will oversee all matters related to tax relief and reforming the property appraisal system.

"Rep. Heflin's appointment ensures that West Texas taxpayers have strong representation on this committee," Speaker Craddick said. "He is a well-respected lawmaker who will work hard with the other committee members as they come up with a solution to this issue."

The committee will review the sections of the Texas Constitution and the tax code that limit or authorize limiting the appraised value or increases in the appraised value of property for tax purposes. It may request assistance from any executive branch agency, and it will issue a report to the House of Representatives before the 81st Legislative Session, which may include draft legislation or recommendations for legislation.

Rep. Heflin stated, "I am grateful for the opportunity to work on this select committee. It is essential that the citizens of our rural area have a voice in this process. Any reforms to our current system must be both responsible and realistic."

Rep. Heflin is the state representative for House District 85. He is a member of the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee and the House County Affairs Committee. His district includes: Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Irion, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He can be reached at the Capitol at P. O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 (Tel. 512-463-0604), at his District 85 office, P. O. Box 585, Crosbyton, TX (Tel. 806-675-1583), or by telephone in Big Spring at 432-213-2897.

FORT WORTH (March 31, 2008) – On March 26, State Representative Joe Heflin (HD85) was presented the Sam D. Seale Award of Excellence by the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association at its 79th Annual Conference.

Roberts County Judge, Vernon Cook, president of the association, conferred the award during the General Session on Wednesday morning and noted that Heflin's achievements during his freshman term in the Texas House of Representatives were very impressive.

Rep. Heflin, a former Crosby County Judge and past member of the association, told the group assembled that much of his success in the Legislature was due to their continued help during the session. He urged all those present to stay in contact with their representatives and to be involved in the legislative process.

Further, Heflin thanked the association for bestowing upon him such a meaningful recognition stating that he was humbled and pleased by the honor because of his tremendous respect and admiration for the late Sam Seale. Association officials commented that Heflin is only the second person to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding service to the West Texas Association as exemplified by the late executive director of the Texas Association of Counties, Sam D. Seale.

Other awards Rep. Heflin has garnered for his work in the 80th Legislature include: 2007 Legislator of the Year by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, Distinguished Legislative Service Award for 2007 from the Texas Municipal League, Freshman of the Year by the House Democratic Caucus, and Honorary Legislative Star by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

Heflin, who serves on the House Committee on County Affairs and the House Committee on Ag & Livestock, represents sixteen rural counties: Hale, Floyd, Crosby, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Stonewall, Kent, Jones, Fisher, Borden, Howard, Glasscock, Sterling, Irion, and Reagan.

Crosbyton (February 6, 2008) – Examining the opportunities for increased economic development funding for rural Texas will be the focus of the first interim meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock. State Representative Joe Heflin, a member of the committee, will attend the meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, February 11, in the Board Room of the Terrell Independent School District.

Presentations are expected to be directed toward increasing potential for growth and for prosperity in rural Texas. Heflin is looking forward to hearing the ideas of those experts scheduled to testify.

Commenting that the state too often concentrates its strategies for economic development on large municipalities, Heflin said, "It is time to focus on the needs of rural areas. To preserve the heritage of this great state, it is important for those of us in rural Texas to be able to retain our way of life. Therefore, opportunities for revitalization projects and for economic development activities in rural Texas must be increased."

Following the study, the committee will issue its findings and make any recommendations for consideration by the 81st Legislature, which convenes in January 2009.

Representative Heflin also serves on the House Committee on County Affairs. His district, House District 85, includes sixteen rural counties: Hale, Floyd, Crosby, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Stonewall, Kent, Jones, Fisher, Borden, Howard, Glasscock, Sterling, Irion, and Reagan.

Crosbyton (January 21, 2008) – Illegal immigration and border security issues will be on the agenda when State Representative Joe Heflin attends a joint House Committee meeting in Dallas. Heflin, a member of the House Committee on County Affairs, will attend the joint meeting with the House Committee on Corrections at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 1, in the University Theatre at the University of Texas at Dallas. Representatives will hear testimony on illegal immigration and border security policies and procedures of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), county probation departments, and local and county jail facilities. The joint committee is expected to make recommendations to improve the coordination of international, federal, state, and local authorities on illegal immigration and border security matters.

Heflin noted that border security is an issue of utmost importance to constituents in his district. He stated that he is grateful for the opportunity to study the subject further and is especially interested in the possibility of improved coordination among law enforcement authorities.

Anyone interested in listening to the testimony may hear the proceedings online at www.capitol.state.tx.us. For more information, contact Trish Condradt, at Rep. Heflin's Capitol office, 512-463-0604.

In addition to the House Committee on County Affairs, Rep. Heflin serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. His district includes sixteen counties: Hale, Floyd, Crosby, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Stonewall, Kent, Jones, Fisher, Borden, Howard, Glasscock, Sterling, Mertzon, and Reagan.