State Representative Robert Miklos and the Mesquite Independent School District hosted a Children’s Health Insurance Program on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Free application assistance was provided at four locations.

“I want to thank the Mesquite Independent School District and CHIP Partners for their help in the planning of this event. Through their efforts, and the hard work of 175 volunteers, 316 families filled out CHIP applications. That’s 525 children in our school district that should receive health care coverage,” Rep. Miklos said.

Uninsured children are less likely to receive preventive health care, which means more trips to the emergency room for routine care. Those children without are more likely to miss school—and their parents to miss work—resulting in lost revenue to Texas schools and lower productivity for our employers. Our high uninsured numbers drive up the cost of health insurance for all Texans and raise local taxes for all of us.  A child covered by CHIP only costs the state 28 cents for every dollar spent.

“No other state in the nation has more uninsured children than Texas,” said Rep. Miklos. “Over 20% of our young Texans, nearly 1.4 million kids, lack health insurance. Today we did our part to ensure that the children in our community have health coverage,” Miklos said.

CHIP experts, ROTC cadets and volunteers from around the community provided application assistance at four locations, while Mesquite and Balch Springs Fire Departments participated by giving fire safety books to the kids.  Businesses around the Metroplex donated refreshments for volunteers, as well as coloring books for the children

Friday August 7, 2009 the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association (TDCAA) awarded State Representative Joseph Moody with their Freshman of the Year Award for the 81st Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. Past recipients include State Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio), current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

In a brief ceremony in the Commissioners Courtroom of the El Paso County Courthouse, Representative Moody graciously accepted the award. “The TDCAA represents a diverse group of prosecutors from across this state – rural, urban, republican, and democrat,” said Moody.  “The issue that ties them all together is their unified pursuit of justice in our communities and courts. I am honored to receive this distinction from an organization that works for safer communities, victims rights, and justice for every person in Texas.”

“Representative Moody had a strong first session. He passed more criminal justice legislation than any freshman in recent history and he consistently supported prosecutors and crime victims,” said Barry Macha, Wichita County Criminal District Attorney and President of TDCAA. “We are pleased to recognize his hard work by presenting him with this award.”

“Representative Joe Moody is very deserving of the recognition from our statewide prosecutor’s association,” said El Paso District Attorney, Jaime Esparza, regarding the Freshman Representative. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Criminal Procedure, Representative Moody passed and supported key criminal justice legislation ensuring that the criminal justice system works for all Texans.”

TDCAA is the largest statewide professional association of prosecutors in the nation.  It provides educational and technical assistance to Texas prosecutors and it serves as a legislative resource on criminal, civil, and juvenile justice issues.  Upon the conclusion of each legislative session, the TDCAA Board of Directors presents one freshman legislator with its Freshman of the Year Award in recognition of his or her contributions to justice and public safety. TDCAA is a non-partisan association and does not endorse candidates for political office.

State Representative Diana Maldonado (HD-52) received a perfect 100 percent rating by the non-partisan group Environment Texas for her voting record during the 81st Legislative Session. Maldonado was one of only 15 State Representatives who received the 100 percent rating.

“As Texans, we must proactively work to maintain and protect our environment by increasing awareness and education for current initiatives such as recycling, as well as create new green programs that will benefit us now and in the future,” Maldonado said. “I will continue working to craft and pass legislation that will preserve this priceless resource. Our environment is one of our most precious resources as it provides us with clean air to breathe, water to drink and parks to explore.”

The Legislative Scorecard was released by Environment Texas and based on eight record votes during the session. The votes covered issues such as TV recycling, solar financing & rebates, and energy efficient programs and investments.

“Environment Texas is proud to recognize Representative Maldonado as a champion for our environment in the state legislature, ” Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas said. “Promoting energy efficient and green legislation will protect our environment as well as decrease energy costs which will provide additional savings to Texans.”

Environment Texas is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that focuses exclusively on protecting Texas’ air, water and open spaces.