almaallen.org » Issues

Rep. Allen Fights Autism

Currently, one in every 150 children is born with autism spectrum disorder. Statistics show that with early intervention many children improve to the point where the disorder is virtually unrecognizable and others become productive and self sufficient with little assistance needed later in life. With the advancement of research, more is known about autism and it is being diagnosed as early as 18 months. Rep. Allen filed House Bill (HB) 451, which addresses insurance providers that do not traditionally cover children with autism spectrum disorder. As of 2007, certain insurance providers were finally required to cover children with autism spectrum disorder from ages two to six. With the passage of HB 451 those insurance providers will be required to cover children with autism spectrum disorder from diagnosis to their tenth birthday. Addressing the disorder at an early age is crucial to the development of the children affected, and it is also crucial for parents unable to afford the therapies needed. Additionally, HB 451 expands coverage to teachers with children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Previous legislation did not include educators under the Teacher Retirement System (TRS).

Texas Finally Ratifies the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution, Abolishing the Poll Tax

State Representative Dr. Alma Allen, District 131, with the help of State Senator Rodney Ellis, has placed

Texas on record against the poll tax, 45 years after ratification. House Joint Resolution 39 (HJR 39) was approved in the Texas House on May 5th, and finally passed in the Texas Senate May 22, 2009. HJR 39 post-ratifies 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that a person’s right to vote cannot be abridged or denied for failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. As is well known, the poll tax was strategically aimed at suppressing the voter participation of minorities, women and poor. Championed by President John F. Kennedy, and passed under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 24th Amendment was fully ratified in 1964. At that time,

Texas was one of only five states still levying a poll tax, and one of only twelve states not to ratify it. Although the 24th Amendment has been the law of our nation since 1964, it is important nevertheless that the Texas Legislature ceremonially post-ratify it. In 1977, Virginia lawmakers post-ratified the 24th Amendment, followed by North Carolina in 1989 and Alabama in 2002, leaving

Texas one of only nine states not on record in support of the 24th Amendment. Rep. Allen was honored to finally put

Texas on the map against the poll tax this session.

Economic Development

Promoting the development of district 131 is a top priority for me.

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Retired Teacher pay raise

In the last legislative session, I filed House Bill 1713, the most comprehensive legislation, aimed at providing a much needed raise. It provided for a cost of living increase, bonus, and benefit increase. House Bill 1713 was stalled in committee, but I will file it again next session. The legislature did pass a bill providing retired teachers with a one time thirteenth check. I did support the thirteenth check, when it was clear that my bill would not come out of committee, but it is merely a drop in the bucket, compared to what the retired teachers of Texas deserve.

Please see the link below, to read the legislation I filed.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01713I.pdf

Environment

I believe the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) should consider the cumulative effects of other facilities in certain areas, before they grant new permits. In the 80th Legislative Session, I filed House Bill 2911, which would have required the TCEQ to consider the cumulative effects of exisitng sites in the district, before granting new permits. District 131 is already housing approximately 15 waste sites. I will continue to fight for environmental safety in District 131.

Please see the link below for HB 2911.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02911I.pdf