As the temperature has risen in Texas this year, so has the financial hardship faced by many Texans caught in the midst of the current economic recession. With millions of people across the state living under repeated Heat Advisories and many finding themselves victims of a struggling economy, Representative Sylvester Turner has petitioned the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to temporarily cease disconnecting the electricity service of clients who are unable to pay their bills in full this summer. PUC will consider Representative Turner's proposal during a public hearing in Austin on Thursday, July 2. As utility bills rise this summer, the proposal would especially help the vulnerable populations that are most at risk of non-payment disconnects such as low income families, the sick and the elderly. See Texas Impact's letter of support for measure here.

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS
OPEN MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009, 9:30 A.M.
Commissioners' Hearing Room
7th Floor, William B. Travis Building

Check back here throughout the summer, as Texas Impact plans more analysis on this and other issues related to public utilities in the state.

UPDATE: US HOUSE PASSES H.R. 2454 American Clean Energy and Security Act 219-212.

All Texas Republicans voted NO

Three Texas Democrats voted NO: Edwards, Ortiz and Rodriguez.

All other Texas Democrats voted YES.

See the whole vote count here

Find out about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) here

Rev. Dr. Robert Linthicum will be the keynote speaker at the My Job- Risktaking Justice and Mercy Workshop on June 27, 2009 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Austin. Rev. Linthicum is the founder of Partners in Urban Transformation, a group of clergy and lay leaders that provides resources, support, and practical strategies for those engaged in urban ministry.

The workshop, hosted by the Austin District Amos Commission, will focus on poverty, healthcare, and environmental issues at the global, urban, and rural levels. The workshop will place a special emphasis on how churches can develop the skills they need to become active and engaged in these areas.

Congress is considering major health care legislation that would make health insurance more available, affordable and secure for millions of Americans, many of them Texans.

In the US Senate, the Senate Finance Committee under the leadership of Chairman Max Baucus is taking the lead on health care legislation along with the Health, Education and Labor Committee, while on the House side three committees--Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means--are working together to develop legislation.

National health care advocates anticipate floor votes on health care legislation by the end of the summer.

Learn more about the Senate's progress

 
Thomas Berry; Roman Catholic priest, author and ecological thinker; passed away on June1st in Greensboro, N.C.  In the tradition of  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Dr. Berry was instrumental in making the case that ecology and faith are connected --and a healthy environment should be a priority issue for faith communities. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Here is a New York Times obituary.

More about the Thomas Berry Foundation, here.

The 81st Regular Session of the Texas Legislature has adjourned "sine die"--"without a day."

Barring a special session, lawmakers will not be back in session until January 2011.

Texas Impact thanks all the members of both chambers, their staffs, and the leadership for their hard work on behalf of the people of Texas. The Legislature made meaningful progress on a number of issues of concern to people of faith in Texas. In particular lawmakers are to be commended for many important improvements in criminal justice.