Observations
Senator Nichols: Why I Believe the State Should Offer Paid Maternity Leave
By Senator Robert Nichols
As we look ahead toward the 88th Legislative Session, I believe that one thing we as Legislators should be focused on is supporting children and families. As a parent and grandparent myself, I know the importance of the first days and weeks of a new child’s life, and the physical impact that childbirth has on a mother. Research indicates that the postpartum period is critical for allowing bonding between parents and children, reducing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and setting the stage for healthy child development. In fact, this period has far-reaching effects on a child’s long-term development and health. However, despite this knowledge current statistics indicate that only 19 percent of women have access to a paid parental leave benefit, and roughly 1 in 4 women return to work 10 to 14 days after giving birth. For those women in lower-income jobs, the numbers are even worse, with only 6 percent being offered a paid leave benefit.
I believe that paid parental leave should not be a luxury for the highest-paid workers, but should be more widely available for women of all income brackets. As someone who believes in free market principles, I shy away from the notion that government should put mandates on business owners to offer paid parental leave. However, as one of the largest employers in the State, I believe the State of Texas should lead by example and begin to offer paid parental leave to all state employees.
Offering this benefit will play a part in attracting and retaining talent to combat the workforce shortage that our State is facing. In fact, research indicates that women who are offered paid parental leave are much more likely to return to the workforce after having a child. However, the passage of such a bill would do far more than just that — it highlights the necessity of paid leave for new mothers and will encourage other private employers to follow suit. Texas should be a leader in supporting mothers and their babies, and one part of this is allowing mothers paid time off in that critical window following birth. Long term, this type of policy will promote maternal mental and physical health and reduce healthcare costs for the State while promoting healthy child development — a cornerstone for a strong state and a robust economy.
This is why I recently filed SB 222, requiring that all state employees be given mandatory paid time off after the birth or adoption of a child. The details of this proposal will undoubtedly be debated and refined over the session, but my guiding principle is this: the State of Texas should be exploring ways to better support mothers and children, and parental leave is an important part of that conversation.
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I won’t even pretend I understand all of the book of Revelation…but I do understand quite plainly that I do wish to spend eternity in Heaven…..
Keep in mind. The rapture comes before the anti christ. I have been reading the Bible and it really does always come down to this. I have been hearing about the second coming of Christ and the events unfolding since I was a child. The “Mark of the Beast” Artificial Intelligence, microchips, no cash/digital currency, Total Government dependency/control. When we are raising a family, working long hours, some two jobs, lots of things go unnoticed or just get ignored.
No one can comprehend how bad it will be, but we see it happening, bit by bit, on the news everyday.
While the devil is preparing people for the Anti Christ, God is preparing people for the Rapture. I don’t know when the rapture will take place but I know that I won’t be left behind when that trumpet sounds!
I also believe right now that God is giving us a chance to repent. We need to get the Gospel message out!!! Until the Good Lord calls me away from this world to go home, I want to make it clear that I believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only True Lord and Savior. Despite the fact that I am human, and I fail a lot, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
This is the best challenge I have seen on Facebook; so, if the Holy Spirit moves you and you’re not ashamed, just copy, and make this your status update.
I’m a believer in God The Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit Amen! 🙏♥️🙏
Submitted by Wendy Garrison of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
As Many of us know, here in southeast Texas, August is the time we focus on the Gulf. Many of us have experienced hurricanes, flooding, tornados, and industrial disasters and we are reminded by our county and city officials to have a plan in these cases. Materials are available online and packets are located at the Orange County Emergency Management at 11475 FM 1442, Orange, TX 77630, and have been distributed throughout the year but remember you may need to modify your plans based on your family’s needs. Registering for the STAN helps us be updated on emergencies and major events happening in our area. If you need more guidance, each of our communities has personnel who train year-round to manage emergencies and assist residents. Contact your local emergency management office for more information.
So, what now? Hopefully, you have a plan to keep your family safe. Pets may be considered by us to be family; however, domesticated animals require other considerations when preparing for emergencies. Some accommodations we seek may not accept or have facilities for our pets. If by chance you need to go to a temporary shelter: identification, leashes, shot records, and if possible, portable kennels are key. Places such as this have limited space and pets will need to be housed in a separate facility from you. If your pet has been separated from you due to unforeseen events, visible identification with your contact information and a microchip may help in a quicker reunion with your pet after an emergency.
Livestock owners who can transport their livestock prior to an emergency should be prepared and know the places and contact numbers of the facilities they choose to go to. Consider the amount of food and water needed to travel with your animal. As with pets, you may be separated from your animal. Visible markings, as well as microchips, will aid in a quicker reunion with your animal.
Make sure your animals are in good health and updated on their vaccinations prior to transport. Best practice, check with your vet about what vaccines are needed to be boarded, or sheltered in a facility with other pets, and keep the records with you.
Here is a list of websites that will help you make a plan that fits your needs:
Texas Animal Health Commission: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/naturaldisaster.html
AgriLifeLearn.com: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/global-search/disaster?c__results_layout_state=%7B%7D
Orange County Disaster Rebuild: https://www.ocdisasterrebuild.com/
Texas Department of Emergency Management: https://www.tdem.texas.gov/
Ready.gov: Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov
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Submitted by State Senator Robert Nichols
It’s Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this week, indicating six more weeks of winter; unwelcome news after ice storms covered much of the state this week. The iconic groundhog made his 137th appearance and records of his predictions go back to 1887.
Here are five things happening around your state:
- Abbott names new border czar
This week Governor Abbott named long-time Border Patrol agent Mike Banks to be the new Texas Border Czar. He will report directly to the governor and ensure border security strategies are fully executed in Texas. He will work collaboratively with the Texas Military Department, the Department of Public Safety, and other relevant agencies to continue Operation Lone Star. Mike Banks was the Border Patrol Weslaco Station Patrol Agent in Charge. He has over 30 years of federal law enforcement experience. He’s worked in multiple stations stretching the length of the US-Mexico border. Before joining the Border Patrol, he was a member of the US Navy Military Police. The unprecedented crisis at our southern border demands action and Governor Abbott has stepped up to the plate to address it. I appreciate his continued leadership on this issue.
- SFA Board of Regents approves change to salaries
At a recent meeting, the SFA Board of Regents approved mid-year salary increases for university employees, an increase in non-resident fees, and an increase to university meal plans and housing. Employees will receive a six percent increase to their base salary after the board approved the $3.5 million expenditure. Interim President Dr. Steve Westbrook said the board requested this increase from the University of Texas System after they decided to affiliate. The SFA board voted last year to affiliate with the University of Texas System rather than remaining independent. The transition requires legislation, which I am excited to carry with Rep. Travis Clardy this session. The legislation will ensure that the university retains the name Stephen F. Austin– a measure of great importance to the university, the community, and to me.
- Comptroller receives $363 million in grants for broadband
Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced this week that the agency will receive $363 million in federal grants to increase access to affordable, reliable broadband to more than 150,000 homes and businesses in Texas. The US Treasury’s award will go to the Bring Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) program. The BOOT program is a competitive grant program administered through the Texas Broadband Development Office. The program is designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects that cover the last few miles to your home or business. Qualified projects will be located in a designated areas, invest in capital assets, and address critical needs in the community it serves. The office will begin accepting applications for the funds later this spring.
- Caleb’s Law filed in Senate
Senate Bill 129, also known as Caleb’s Law, was filed by Senator Drew Springer recently. The bill would strengthen penalties for offenders who possess child pornography. Child pornography laws have not been updated since 1989 and the current laws are ill-equipped to handle changes in modern technology. The changes will work to keep kids safe and strengthen punishments for those convicted. The bill includes degrees of punishment based on the amount of materials possessed. It also has enhancements for materials depicting children under the age of 10 and for those taking care of children and receiving money from the state. The law’s name comes from Caleb Diehl, a high school senior who went missing in March 2015.
- Winter weather resources, TDEM resources
Winter Storm Mara swept through much of Central and Northeast Texas, causing dangerous driving conditions and power outages across the state. Ice accumulated on roadways, tree branches, and power lines, which caused some outages and many fallen branches. Many state agencies monitored the ongoing weather situation and worked to keep Texans safe, including the Public Utility Commission, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and ERCOT. It is important to note that any power outages experienced during this storm were not a result of lack of capacity on the grid. Those were due to power lines being down due to the storm. We appreciate the hard work of all our first responders and everyone who worked around the clock to keep Texans safe and warm. For more information from TDEM about resources available to you, visit https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/january-2023-winter-storm.
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