Blog — Elect Todd Hunter

Hurricane Preparedness – Put Your Plan in Place

April 2, 2012 By admin

Hurricane season looms just around the corner. Being prepared for hurricane season can help keep your family safe. The 2012 hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and will end on November 30, 2012. It is during this time that most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Basin and pose a threat to the United States.

All four counties in District 32-Aransas, Calhoun, San Patricio and Nueces-are included among the 14 Tier One counties along the Texas coast. This means that these counties are most likely to be affected if a hurricane makes landfall. It is important that our area, as well as all Texans, prepare for hurricanes by staying informed, creating a disaster plan and following necessary steps to keep their families safe.

When hurricanes make landfall or get close to land, they can affect the lives of thousands of Texans along the coast and across the State of Texas. There are various tips on being prepared in case of a hurricane. Some of the tips include the preparation of a family disaster plan. A family disaster plan includes planning for hazards that could affect your family as well as home. Vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind should be reviewed. You should locate safe rooms or places in your house to store items if a hurricane hazard develops. It is important that families determine evacuation and escape routes from your home and places to meet in case of an emergency. Also, have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so that all family members have a place of contact. Don’t forget to plan for taking care of your pets in case of evacuation.

In addition, families need to create a disaster supply kit. A disaster supply kit includes gathering blankets, pillows, seasonal clothing and special items for infants and the elderly. Please have flashlights, batteries, telephones, radios and sufficient tools in case of an emergency. It is important to have a good first aid kit with medicines and prescription drugs ready and organized.

Living along the coastline also means preparing for hurricanes by retrofitting your house. It is important to strengthen the outside of your home so wind and objects do not tear openings in your roof or walls. Some people may want to find out about flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance is a pre-disaster flood program designed to reduce flood disasters. The National Flood Insurance program can be called at 1-888-CALL-FLOOD, Extension 445.

In addition to getting your family, pets and homes safe and prepared, there are various state websites for hurricane preparedness and evacuation, including telephone numbers. Some important contacts include Statewide Road Conditions which can be called at 1-800-452-9292 and going to Texas Online – The Official Portal of Texas at www.texasonline.com.

You can also go to my website which will provide you links, websites to various sources for hurricane preparedness, planning for an evacuation, tips on hurricane preparedness as well as state and federal government resources. Also, if you are elderly or disabled and need hurricane evacuation assistance, you can call 2-1-1. This service will assist you in hurricane evacuation.

Overall, being prepared for a hurricane and living in a coastal region is very important. Please again feel free to check out the campaign website electtoddhunter.com as well as the information that we’ve provided in this article. Hopefully, this will be a quiet season and a safe one.

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Cruise Industry Study Committee

March 26, 2012 By admin

Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 5, known as the cruise industry bill, was filed as the Senate companion to House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 29 which I was proud to have the opportunity to file during the 82^nd Regular Legislative Session. These resolutions were filed as a result of numerous town hall meetings which I hosted throughout District 32. At the town hall meetings I was asked why has the cruise industry not been expanded to the South Texas coastline. For these reasons, I was very pleased when Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus named me as the Co-Chair of this interim committee.

The discussion about bringing the cruise industry to the South Texas coast has been on the minds of numerous people in our area for years. The Cruise Industry Committee will give us the opportunity to work with the travel industry in order to study the possibility of bringing cruise ships to the South Texas coast and the economic impact it can have on our region and the State of Texas as a whole. In short, this committee will hopefully help bring cruise ship business a step closer in recognizing that the South Texas coastline is a great location for the travel and tourism industry.

According to a cruise industry overview performed by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, a record number of an estimated fifteen million passengers took cruises in 2010. Of that fifteen million, approximately eleven million were out ofNorth America. This increase in passengers has resulted in a large impact on the annual occupancy of the cruise ships. The cruise industry has also added twelve new ships to their lines. Following historical data since 1980, it is estimated that the annual increase of passengers is around 7.4%. The recent large annual increase shows a clear desire of people to take advantage of sea travel.

Utilizing a 2009 economic report compiled by the Cruise Line International Association, North American cruise lines, their employees and passengers produced approximately $35 billion in gross economic output in the United States. The cruise industry also generated 313,998 jobs paying out $14.23 billion in wages and salaries. During this same period, cruise industry direct spending was estimated at $17.5 billion dollars. Additionally, it is projected that a cruise ship requires 950 crew members and that those crew members spend over $300,000 in on shore spending in the ship’s U.S. homeport. It is clear that the cruise industry represents a possibly significant economic boost to South Texas if the cruise industry would choose to locate a departure port out of one of the ports located south of Calhoun County and north of Cameron County.

Using 2010 census data, South Texas is home to over two million people, as well as having a close proximity to over two million people in the San Antonioarea and a strong North Mexico market. At the end of the day, South Texas represents one of the fastest growing regions in the state. Along with the population in South Texas and its surrounding areas, the region offers a robust tourism industry, a wealth of natural resources and deep water ports which could be used to host a cruise line.

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Hunter Awarded CLEAT Legislative Crime Fighter of the Year

March 23, 2012 By Todd Hunter

AUSTIN- The state’s largest law enforcement organization, also known as the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, has chosen to honor State Representative Todd Hunter of the 32nd District for his deep commitment to the rights and interests of peace officers during the 82nd legislative session.

“Representative Hunter has always been very supportive of law enforcement and worked tirelessly to make sure Texas officers have the tools they need to enforce the law and fight crime,” said Charley Wilkison, Director of Public Affairs.

“Representative Hunter stood up for what was right, regardless of the opposition or political pressure,” said Wilkison. “This is why the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas is proud to award him the CLEAT Legislative Crime Fighter of the Year.”

“We value him as a friend of Texas finest’ law enforcement and we look forward to working with him next session as we continue the fight to make our streets and communities safer.” he said.

CLEAT represents more than 18,500 law enforcement professionals across the state of Texas.

Contact: Charley Wilkison, 512-495-9111

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Speaker Appoints Joint Interim Committees (Human Trafficking)

March 19, 2012 By admin

During the 81st Texas Legislature, I Chaired the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee. It is while serving as Chairman of that committee that I learned how serious a problem human trafficking is in the State of Texas. It is for this reason that during the 82nd Texas Regular Legislative Session, I filed and the legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 68, which was signed on June 17, 2011, by Governor Rick Perry. HCR 68 officially requested that the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House create a joint interim study committee.

At the beginning of 2012, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurstand Texas House Speaker Joe Straus appointed the members of the Joint Committee on Human Trafficking. The committee is comprised of seven Texas House members and seven Texas Senate members. The committee is tasked with analyzing ways to combat the human trafficking trade within the State of Texas, as well as identifying services that may be available to victims of human trafficking and the best practices that can be utilized by public-private partnerships. It is extremely important that the State of Texas take a lead role in combating human trafficking due to the state’s large geographical size and busy ports.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for one of three purposes:

Labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
A commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
Any commercial sex act, if the person is under 18 years of age, regardless of whether any form of coercion is involved.

Between 2008-2010, data was collected through the Human Trafficking Reporting System. During that time period Federally funded task forces opened more than 2500 cases of suspected human trafficking. Out of those 2500 cases approximately 82% were classified as sex trafficking, with about 1,000 of those incidents involving allegations of prostitution or sexual exploitation of a child. The remaining cases were connected to trafficking for labor purposes and other unknown reasons.

It is important to know that human trafficking is not exclusive to one segment of society. Human trafficking involves victims of all races, age groups, both males and females and United States Citizens, as well as non-citizens. Individuals seeking to force people in to human trafficking do not discriminate amongst their victims and often prey upon those who are most vulnerable.

At the end of March, I am proud to be hosting the Human Trafficking Summit in connection with Del Mar andVictoria Colleges. The Summit will be held on March 29th from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Center for Economic Development on the Del Mar College campus inCorpus Christi,Texas. Keynote speakers will include Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor of Victoria County and The Honorable Senfronia Thompson. If you would like to attend please feel free to contact my office for additional information or go to my website. The Summit is free for everyone to attend.

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part IX

March 14, 2012 By admin

Speaker of the House Joe Straus on March 1st announced seven new interim charges to be studied by the Texas House of Representatives during the 2012 legislative interim. These new charges along with the previously released charges will result in recommendations that could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees are each given several issues to study. These charges result in committee hearings being held over the course of the interim period (2012), these hearings give the public an opportunity to testify before the committees, thereby assisting in formulating possible legislation in the future. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following are the seven new charges given to the House Committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are the latest charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence

Study current driving while intoxicated laws, examine enforcement options used nationwide, including requiring interlock devices after a first offense as well as current fees or fines, and make legislative recommendations.

House Committee on Energy Resources

In addition to monitoring the implementation of HB 3328 (82R), continue to study the implications of hydraulic fracturing for the state’s energy needs, environmental policy, economic development, and other related priorities. Examine ways to ensure appropriate state and local regulation of hydraulic fracturing that matches the needs and conditions of Texas. Coordinate with the House Committee on Natural Resources’ charge regarding water quantity and quality issues in oil and gas production, and with other committees, as necessary.

House Committee on Insurance

Study the costs and benefits of mandates of coverage for health plans. Assess the impact to the state of current and future mandates in light of the provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring states to assume the cost of certain mandates.

House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Study all existing occupational licensing programs and determine their impact on consumers, competition, and the cost of services. Explore the extent to which new licensing programs are necessary.

House Committee on State Affairs

Study how businesses seeking to provide goods or services to the state interact with state agencies. Consider whether additional procedures are needed to ensure that goods and services obtained by the state are the best value. Determine whether additional disclosure and reporting requirements are necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and to promote ethical business practices.

House Select Committee on State Sovereignty

Monitor developments regarding the Interstate Health Care Compact in other states and at the federal level. Offer appropriate recommendations to facilitate Texas’ participation in the compact if it is approved, including recommendations on the processes by which the state would consider its options under the compact and make related decisions.

House Committee on Technology

Examine human resource policies of state agencies that would integrate the implementation of social media to strengthen the state’s workforce.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part VIII

March 5, 2012 By admin

Speaker of the House Joe Straushas released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Transportation – Review the state of our current transportation infrastructure, including studying roadway, bridge, and waterway quality and long-range plans by the Texas Department of Transportation for maintaining these assets. Explore future needs of our infrastructure for the next decade and make recommendations to ensure long-range sufficiency.

Study the state’s preparedness for the expansion of the Panama Canaland determine whether the state’s infrastructure is ready for the increase in commerce.

Conduct a thorough review of the operations of transit organizations in Texas. Explore possible reforms to streamline and improve services to Texans.

Study transportation funding reforms and develop long-term state funding recommendations, with an eye on any federal reforms that become law. Explore options to eliminate “diversions” from Fund 6 to non-transportation-related programs. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations)

House Committee on Urban Affairs – Evaluate the role of community gardens and urban farming efforts that increase access to healthy foods and examine the possible impact that state and local policies have on the success of programs of this type. Determine the feasibility of policies to support these efforts, especially in high-population areas. (Joint with the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock)
Examine current economic development programs available in urban areas in Texas and other states. Report on successful programs and make legislative recommendations for innovative economic development programs. (Joint with the House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development)

Examine strategies to maximize state funding for programs designed to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that have demonstrated a successful coordination of state and local resources. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations)

House Committee on Ways & Means – Evaluate the state’s tax structure and determine its impact on the competitiveness of the Texas business climate. Specifically, determine the impact of the state’s major taxes, including the sales tax and franchise tax, as well as tax exemptions, exclusions, and credits on economic growth, capital investment, and job creation in Texas. As part of this review, evaluate the franchise (margins) tax and determine whether the tax structure should continue to exist in its current form or in a revised form, or whether the existing tax structure should be repealed and replaced with a different business tax.

Analyze the results of the reviews of appraisal district operations as conducted through the comptroller’s Methods Assistance Program (MAP) and determine whether appraisal districts are applying uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes as required by the Texas Constitution.

Evaluate whether current property tax notice requirements effectively serve the intended “truth-in-taxation” purpose of informing taxpayers about the property taxes they pay and who is responsible for deciding how much they pay.

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State Rep. Todd Hunter: “District 32 has been decided and ordered!”

March 2, 2012 By admin

Austin, Texas – State Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) today said that he looks forward to continuing to serve Nueces County and will seek re-election in House District 32 now that the Texas legislative district boundaries have been agreed upon by the Federal Court.

Texas’ legislative elections have been in limbo for the past several months following litigation over the redistricting process. However, Tuesday, in San Antonio, the parties involved in the lawsuit reached a decision and released the updated maps to the public.

According to the Republican Party of Texas’ analysis, the new District 32 is a 62 percent Republican district.

Rep Hunter said, “This new district actually includes most of the areas I previously represented from 1989-1997. With this history, I know the area well and it is a natural fit. Now that districts have been settled, it’s time to get to the business of the state. I will continue to work hard to ensure we get the attention we need to make this region as vibrant as possible.”

Hunter pointed to the need to increase tourism through the cruise industry as just one example of how Corpus Christi can create jobs and boost the economy.

Hunter says he will continue his tradition of holding town hall meetings on issues of importance to his constituents and has already rolled up his sleeves as he begins preparing for the next legislative session. For example, Hunter has hosted meetings between the Texas Film Commission in Austin and the Corpus Christi Film Society. He is also working with Del Mar College and Victoria College to host a summit to discuss how we can stamp out Human Trafficking in Texas.

“The film industry and stopping human trafficking are two examples of how this region can benefit if we work together to address topics that directly affect us,” Rep. Hunter said. “With films being produced in Texas, we can work to attract those films and commercial productions to District 32. On the other hand, human trafficking is a dangerous industry that can have serious consequences if we don’t address it. I look forward to working with my constituents and notable experts at the Summit to carve out ideas to put an end to human trafficking in Texas.”

Hunter, an attorney in Corpus Christi, currently serves as Chairman of the Texas House Calendars Committee. He and his wife, Alexis, have been married 30 years and have three children. Credited as a key player in passage of the state’s reforms for affordable windstorm insurance and against lawsuit abuse, Hunter has also been an active advocate for the Coastal Bend community’s universities and community colleges. For his legislative service, Hunter has received numerous leadership awards, including the Texas Association of Business Free Enterprise Award, the Friends of Medicine Award by the Texas Medical Association, Texas Civil Justice League’s Jobs for Texas Award, TLR’s Civil Justice Leadership Award, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas’ “Best of the House” Legislative honors, and the James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas for his work on the “Free Flow of Information Act.”

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part VII

February 27, 2012 By admin

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Select Committee on State Sovereignty – Study and evaluate constitutional methods by which states may encourage the proper balance of power between the federal and state governments. Include an evaluation of interstate compacts as well as the effects on state sovereignty of conditional federal grants, commandeering of state officials, and federal laws requiring coordination with local governments.

House Committee on State Affairs – Examine the issue of resource adequacy in theTexas electricity market, federal and state interventions in the marketplace that may be negatively impacting future adequacy, and the best way to maintain resource adequacy.

Examine areas of potential privatization of state services in an effort to achieve a higher level of service and greater efficiency for Texastaxpayers. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform)

Examine state agency rulemaking and consider ways to improve procedural efficiencies and public transparency, and to better inform policymakers as to their use, purpose, and cost-effectiveness, including an examination of the financial and other impacts such regulations have on both the license holder and the public. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform)

House Committee on Technology – Examine ways to create incentives for technology companies to come toTexas, including the feasibility of public-private partnerships. The study should include the economic impact of the high-tech industry inTexas and the state’s ability to compete with other states for high-tech jobs. Examine the state’s current areas of differentiated technology research and development and recommend strategies to capitalize on that intellectual property and commercialization. Include strategies to attract Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding toTexas.

Study the impact of federal broadband expansion programs on rural areas. Coordinate this review with the Public Utility Commission’s evaluation of the state Texas Universal Service Fund and the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband plan.

Examine methods of cloud computing technology to streamline agency operations and generate greater efficiencies for more cost-effective operations. (Joint with the House Committee on State Affairs)

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part VI

February 20, 2012 By admin

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services – Review the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act onTexas industries, with particular attention to any federal preemption issues that exist. Make appropriate legislative recommendations.

House Committee on Public Education – Monitor state and local implementation of the new state assessment system (STAAR), specifically the impact on students, instruction, teachers, and graduation or promotion rates. Review how districts are implementing the requirement that the end-of-course assessment count for 15 percent of the student’s course grade. Recommend any changes to graduation or testing requirements that promote instructional rigor and support postsecondary readiness while appropriately limiting an overreliance on standardized testing.

Evaluate the charter schools system inTexas. Examine success and failure stories inTexasand other states. Review the educational outcomes of students in charter schools compared to those in traditional schools. Identify any best practices and how those practices may be applied statewide. The study should include recommendations.

Review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEPs) and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEPs) in reducing students’ involvement in further disciplinary infractions. Determine the appropriate role of disciplinary alternative placements in promoting education achievement and how technology could be used to supplement education services. Consider appropriate placements in DAEPs or JJAEPs and consistent funding models for those programs. Consider options for counties without a JJAEP or inefficiently few placements in a JJAEP. Identify positive behavioral models that promote a learning environment for teachers to appropriately instruct while addressing any behavioral issues and enforcing student discipline.

House Committee on Public Health – Examine the adequacy of the primary care workforce inTexas and assess the impact of an aging population, the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and state and federal funding reductions to graduate medical education and physician loan repayment programs. Study the potential impact of medical school innovations, new practice models, alternative reimbursement strategies, expanded roles for physician extenders, and greater utilization of telemedicine. Make recommendations to increase patient access to primary care and address geographic disparities.

Monitor implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including any changes that may result from ongoing litigation or legislative modification or repeal. (Joint with the House Committee on Insurance)

Identify policies to alleviate food insecurity, increase access to healthy foods, and incent good nutrition within existing food assistance programs. Consider initiatives in Texasand other states to eliminate food deserts and grocery gaps, encourage urban agriculture and farmers’ markets, and increase participation in the Summer Food Program. Evaluate the desirability and feasibility of incorporating nutritional standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Monitor congressional activity on the 2012 Farm Bill and consider its impact on Texas. (Joint with the House Committee on Human Services)

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part V

February 15, 2012 By admin

Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:
House Committee on Land & Resource Management -
Examine the Cabin Program managed by the General Land Office. Review the history of the program, the current fee structure, and the renewal process and whether the program is achieving the goals for which it was created. Make appropriate legislative recommendations.

Monitor and examine the ongoing litigation of Severance v. Patterson and its impact on the Texas Open Beaches Act.

Examine the effectiveness of the Texas Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act (Chapter 2007, Government Code).

Examine current regulatory authority available to municipalities in their extraterritorial jurisdiction. Make necessary legislative recommendations to ensure a proper balance between development activities and municipal regulations.

House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures – Review the alcoholic beverage licensing and permitting process. Explore possible reforms with interested stakeholders to streamline and improve the process.

Study the feasibility of streamlining the process to obtain an occupational license. Consider consolidating all occupational licenses under one state agency and whether such a move would increase efficiency and effectiveness. Analyze the process being used in other states.

House Committee on Natural Resources - Monitor the ongoing statewide drought and the performance of state, regional, and local entities in addressing it. Examine the impact of the drought on the state water plan, including an evaluation of how well the state’s existing water resources can meet demand, the need for additional funding sources to implement the plan, and the effectiveness of current drought planning and drought management policies. Identify short-term and long-term strategies to help the state better cope with drought and assess any obstacles, including state and federal regulations, to implementation of these strategies.

Examine the interplay of water and energy resources and needs in the state. Study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of water use in energy production and exploration, including the impacts of this use on regional and state water planning. Determine the current and likely future water needs of power generation and energy production, and evaluate options to develop new or alternative supplies. Include an evaluation of current issues involving water use for oil and gas production and related water quality issues.

Evaluate the status of desalination projects in Texas. Include an evaluation of the regulation of brackish groundwater and whether opportunities exist to facilitate better utilization of this groundwater to meet future needs.

Study ways to enhance incentives for water conservation in agricultural irrigation.

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