Newcomers prepare for legislative session

When the 83rd Texas Legislature is sworn into session at noon Tuesday, new legislators from across the state will get their first taste of representing their constituents in Austin.

Among the freshman delegation is a trio of lawmakers who represent portions of Plano and McKinney. With the clock ticking until the five-month session begins, each said they are working to finalize affairs in their district before making the move south.

"We have a lot of challenges and some great opportunities ahead of us such as education, transportation and water," said District 67 Rep. Jeff Leach, who represents central and east Plano. "We are excited about the session."

Leach said as a new legislator, he has relied heavily on his four-person staff to help him prepare for the session.

"This is a complete team effort," Leach said. "I haven't even cast my first vote yet but I know how important it is to be surrounded by a good, strong, capable team. I think any representative who tries to do this on their own is doing it wrong."

With thousands of bills filed each session, legislative directors and aides are crucial to helping elected officials understand what they are voting on. While the issues of education and the state budget will dominate the headlines, Rep. Scott Sanford, who represents McKinney-based District 70, said a few other bills have already caught his eye.

"Technology has proven that a baby in the womb can feel pain at 20 weeks," said Sanford, a pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in Allen. "If the state can generate an interest, then we can get that baby protected legally."

In addition to the Fetal Pain Bill, Sanford said he also looks forward to helping find a solution to the challenges facing North Texas concerning water and transportation -- issues that will become more urgent as the population continues to grow.

"There are fixes we need to do at the state level to get our reservoirs built in a shorter time frame. The North Texas Municipal Water District has a great plan, it is just that it needs the regulatory agencies to get out of the way.

"With transportation, I feel like our people are toll-roaded out, but at the same time they want strong infrastructure. I think the legislature has to take a hard look at that. We were at about 14 percent of the budget going toward maintaining roads, but now we are at about 6. As you look at the population growth, that is not going to cut it."

While the legislators are in Austin, staff members at their district offices serve as a contact point for constituents. Unfortunately for the freshman legislators, setting up an office is not as simple as it seems.

"We are working on finding an office, but there are certain regulations you have to work through with the state," Leach said, adding he hopes to find office space in downtown Plano. "It is very complicated."

Sanford has found space in downtown McKinney close to the office of former District 70 Rep. Ken Paxton, who is taking over the senate seat previously held by Florence Shapiro. However, he said freshman legislators were informed in November that the state, which is responsible for installing phone and Internet service, will not be able to do so until March.

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