2009 News & Media

(Crosbyton, TX – December 30, 2009) – State Representative Joe Heflin was appointed to study national agriculture and rural policy for the Agriculture and Energy Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at its winter meeting in San Diego, California, earlier this month. In the Texas Legislature, Rep. Heflin is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and serves as Vice-Chair of the Rural Caucus.

Rep. Heflin expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying, "This provides a great opportunity for me to bring the interests of rural West Texas to the forefront by helping to craft policies that will benefit our rural economic development and agriculture industry. The challenges we face can best be resolved when state and national governments are on the same page and working together. I look forward to helping that happen."

Rep. Heflin is one of three members of the NCSL Agriculture and Energy Committee appointed to study national agriculture and rural policy by Committee Chair Sally Young, a Maryland House Delegate. Heflin, along with state representatives Sue Wallis of Wyoming and Maralyn Chase of Washington, will study and make recommendations concerning NCSL's national agriculture and rural policy before the organization's spring conference in Washington, D.C. The current policies, adopted in 2007, are scheduled to sunset in 2010 unless renewed.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is one of the country's premiere national legislative organizations and works to enhance the role of states and state legislatures in the federal system. NCSL opposes unfunded federal mandates and preemption of state authority and seeks to provide state legislatures with the flexibility they need to innovate and be responsive to the unique needs of the residents of each state.

The Agriculture and Energy Committee on which Rep. Heflin serves is one of 13 standing NCSL committees and oversees state and federal agriculture and rural development legislation along with natural resources, energy, and electric utilities legislation. The committee seeks to ensure that Congress and federal agencies are sensitive to the impact of proposed laws and regulations on rural areas and communities. More information about NCSL and its committees can be found at www.ncsl.org.

Rep. Heflin encourages interested individuals to express their views about any issue by calling him at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897. He represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.

(Austin, TX - December 8, 2009) - State Representative Joe Heflin has filed for reelection to represent House District 85 in the Texas House of Representatives. Rep. Heflin stated, "It is an honor to serve the citizens of my district. I am grateful for the strong bi-partisan support that I have received both from the district and from other members of the legislature." In announcing his reelection plans, Rep. Heflin said he wants to go back to Austin to work for West Texas, with an agenda focused on jobs, energy, water rights, rural healthcare, and public education.

"This year I was able to pass important economic development legislation as well as laws to protect our rural hospitals and public schools," said Rep. Heflin. "Still, there is more work to be done. Wind energy can and will be the next job and financial boom for West Texas. And since agriculture is so important to HD 85, we must make sure that our water rights remain in the hands of local officials - not bureaucrats in Austin."

A two-term representative of House District 85, Rep. Heflin said experience and effectiveness will be issues in his reelection campaign. Rep. Heflin currently is serving in his fourth year both on the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and on the National Conference of State Legislature's Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee. In addition, he presently serves as a member of the House Committee on Elections and as Vice-Chair of the Rural Caucus.

Rep. Heflin served as a member of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform, the committee that pushed the recently-passed constitutional amendments to protect property tax payers. He also served on the House Committee on County Affairs.

Before his election to the Texas Legislature, Rep. Heflin served five years as County Judge in Crosby County and was elected to two terms as an alderman for the City of Crosbyton.

Texas House District 85 covers more than 15,000 square miles. The 16 West Texas counties in the District are Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry counties.

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, November 23, 2009) - State Representative Joe Heflin joined a large bipartisan group of state legislators and other elected officials from all 50 states in signing an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court" brief supporting the National Rifle Association's position that individual protections of the Second Amendment are incorporated to apply to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The amicus brief in which Rep. Heflin joined bears the signatures of 891 state legislators and other elected officials, including two governors and three lieutenant governors, and was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court today in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago.

Rep. Heflin is a strong supporter of individual gun rights and has earned an "A" rating by the NRA. He explained, "I believe it is imperative that gun rights be preserved to the individual, and that those rights should not be impinged by state or local governments. I believe that was the intention of our Founding Fathers, and it is a position that I continue to support by joining in this filing today."

NRA chief lobbyist Chris W. Cox said, "We are pleased that such a large group of state legislators and other officials agree that our Second Amendment freedoms should apply to all Americans, not only those who reside in federal enclaves. Gun owners across the country should be proud of the stand that their lawmakers are taking on this crucial effort to restore and protect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans everywhere."

The Supreme Court agreed to consider an appeal of the McDonald case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in September. The appellate court held that prior Supreme Court precedent prevented it from holding in favor of incorporation of the Second Amendment, but the NRA believes the Seventh Circuit should have followed the lead of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision in Nordyke v. King, which found that Supreme Court precedent does not prevent the Second Amendment from applying to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the McDonald case in February 2010.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He 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, November 23, 2009) - Last week Representative Joe Heflin received the endorsement of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association-PAC (DPSOA-PAC) for his re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. The endorsement came almost immediately upon Rep. Heflin's announcement that he will be seeking a third term to represent the people of Texas House District 85 in Austin.

Rep. Heflin said he is extremely happy to receive the Officer's Association endorsement. "The Department of Public Safety officers serve the citizens of this state day-in and day-out, with courage, integrity, and dedication. I cannot say enough just how fortunate we are to have these public servants working on our behalf, and how fortunate I feel that they have seen fit to endorse me."

Brian Hawthorne, DPSOA-PAC president explained the reason for the group's endorsement of Rep. Heflin. "Representative Heflin has a strong record of supporting state employees, law enforcement, and the state's commissioned peace officers, and we want to add our voice in recognition of his efforts to champion these good causes," he said. "The work of Representative Heflin to make Texas a better place is appreciated by us and the more than 3200 DPS officers and employees who are proud members of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association."

Announcing the organization's endorsement to its members, Hawthorne and organization vice-president Gary Chandler said, "Please plan to vote, and ask your fellow officers, friends, and relatives to vote, too. Your support for this very fine Texas public official will go a long way in returning a good friend to serve the people of Texas in state government," they concluded.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He 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, November 2, 2009) - State Representative Joe Heflin was presented the Outstanding Service Award by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT) at the organization's annual conference last month in Corpus Christi. Rep. Heflin's work on wind farm and other economic development projects during this year's 81st Legislative session was cited as one of the primary reasons for the award.

"The leadership and support of Rep. Heflin was essential to the passage of our economic development legislation to continue wind farms and other projects," said Jim Allison, general counsel to CJCAT. "His knowledge of county government issues is an invaluable asset to counties and our taxpayers."

In receiving the award, Rep. Heflin said, "I want to thank you very much for this honor. It is always gratifying to be recognized for efforts that truly benefit not only my District, but the State of Texas as a whole. As a former county judge, I have always enjoyed my work with the county judges and commissioners across the state, and that makes this award especially meaningful to me."

Before his election to the Texas Legislature in 2006, Rep. Heflin served five years as County Judge in Crosby County. CJCAT named Rep. Heflin Legislator of the Year after his first term in the Texas House, and he also was honored with the Sam Seale Award of Excellence by the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association. The Texas Association of Counties gave Rep. Heflin the Friend of County Government award and he was presented a Distinguished Legislative Service Award by the Texas Municipal League.

CJCAT is a statewide organization with more than 1,200 active members that promotes the interests of county government, through providing the opportunity for continuing education and active participation in governmental affairs, particularly the State Legislature.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He 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, September 28, 2009) - Representative Joe Heflin is encouraging all of his constituents to participate in the upcoming census. America 's Founding Fathers, in 1787, included the requirement for an "enumeration" of people in the Constitution of the United States . The first census was conducted in 1790 and it has been done once every 10 years for the last 220 years.

Explaining the importance of an accurate census count, Rep. Heflin said, "As you probably know, another census will be conducted in 2010, and work has already started to ensure an accurate count. The results of the decennial census will be used not only by the federal government but by our state and local governments for a variety of purposes, including decisions about program funding and redistricting elective offices."

Many local, state, and federal programs are funded based on population so it is imperative for the census count to include everyone. Among the programs funded based on population are Medicaid, Medicare enrollment assistance, Highway Planning and Construction, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the State Abstinence Education Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Family Violence Prevention/Battered Women's shelters.

Rep. Heflin continued, "The funds for these programs are Texas taxpayers' dollars coming back to our state and local community, so it is critically important for every Texan to be counted."

The Texas Legislature also will use the 2010 census numbers to redistrict its 181 legislative districts when the 82nd Legislature convenes its next regular session in January 2011. In that regard, Rep. Heflin offered the following sobering statistic, "There are currently more legislators residing in Harris County than there are west of Interstate 35. Given that fact and the growth in other parts of the state, it is even more important for every person in West Texas to be counted. I hope everyone will take the time to complete and turn in their census form by the April 1, 2010, deadline."

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones , Kent , Lynn , Irion, Reagan, Sterling , Stonewall, and Terry Counties . He 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.

(Austin, TX - July 9, 2009) - Representative Joe Heflin (Crosbyton) announced today that he has been reappointed by Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (San Antonio) to the Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). NCSL is one of the country's premiere national legislative organizations "that works to enhance the role of states and state legislatures in the federal system."

NCSL opposes "unfunded federal mandates and preemption of state authority, and seeks to provide state legislatures the flexibility they need to innovate and be responsive to the unique needs of the residents of each state." The Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee is one of the NCSL's 12 standing committees and has oversight over state and federal agriculture and rural development legislation, natural resources and energy and electric utilities legislation. The Committee tries to make sure that Congress and federal agencies are sensitive to how proposed laws and regulations impact rural areas and their surrounding communities.

Heflin thanked Speaker Straus for the reappointment and stated:

I appreciate having the opportunity to again serve on this important NCSL Committee so I can continue discussing the serious concerns my constituents have expressed to me about how national policies are affecting their lives, homes and businesses. Input from legislators across the country, through NCSL, can help influence policy debates and decisions at capitols in Washington and across the country.

The annual NCSL Legislative Summit will be held July 20-24, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At it, the Committee will consider policy positions on the 2007 farm bill, alternative fuels and alternatively fueled vehicles, carbon capture and storage, energy security, national energy policy and renewable energy. Rep. Heflin also stated that he looks forward to having some very serious discussions on and debates about these important issues with his colleagues from across the country.

Rep. Heflin encourages interested individuals to express their views about any issue by calling him 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. He represents Texas House District 85, which includes Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and TerryCounties.

(Austin, TX - May 15, 2009) - An economic development bill authored by State Representative Joe Heflin passed the Texas House of Representatives on a vote of 143-0 today. Rep. Heflin's House Bill 3676 extends a portion of the Texas Economic Development Act that was set to expire in 2011. Rep. Heflin said the extension is absolutely critical to keeping Texas "open for business" and for keeping the state's economic development climate among the best in the nation.

"This legislation is about job creation and capital investment," Heflin explained. "It will help both businesses and workers, and it will help ensure property tax fairness for individual property owners. It's truly a win-win-win for everyone."

According to Rep. Heflin, the Texas Economic Development Act, originally passed in 2001, has been one of the state's most valuable economic development tools in bringing new investments and jobs to Texas. Heflin's HB 3676 leaves the intent of the original economic development program in place to spur economic development in all parts of Texas and in all industries, while clarifying certain tax abatement and funding issues that have arisen since original passage.

"My bill will help Texas remain the number one spot in the nation for business expansion," Rep. Heflin continued. "In addition, the bill promotes greater accountability and transparency for businesses receiving tax abatements. It will help ensure that promised investments and new jobs are realized, or require that companies receiving tax abatements pay applicable property taxes."

HB 3676 was one of a very small number of bills carried on the major state calendar in the Texas House of Representatives this session, and it is unusual for a second-term representative such as Rep. Heflin to carry a major state bill. HB 3676 now must pass the Texas Senate before being sent to the Governor.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He 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.

(Austin, TX – February 27, 2009) – State Representative Joe Heflin has been selected by the Rural Caucus membership for the 81st Legislative Session to serve as Vice-Chair of the Caucus. The Rural Caucus includes members of both the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives.

Upon his selection, Rep. Heflin expressed his appreciation for the confidence placed in him by Caucus members. "It is my honor and privilege to serve as Vice-Chair of the Rural Caucus for the 81st Legislative Session," he said. "It will be a valuable source of information and support for my constituents in the 16 rural counties of House District 85."

State Representative Warren Chisum (R-Pampa), who was selected Chairman of the Caucus, said that "the Rural Caucus exists as an informational source for members of the Texas Legislature."

Rep. Heflin explained, "The Rural Caucus is a powerful voice in the Legislature that consistently addresses the unique concerns of rural Texans. Throughout the legislative session, meetings and briefings by guest speakers will be conducted about important rural issues. These meetings will provide Caucus members with valuable insight, enabling them to form coalitions that support measures having a positive impact on rural areas."

Rep. Heflin, who is serving his second term in the Texas House of Representatives, concluded, "I look forward to working with other members of the Rural Caucus to develop policy that is in the best interest of all Texas citizens."
Rep. Heflin represents House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He 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.