Editorial by Dade Phelan

 

Today, State Representative Dade Phelan announced that he will run for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. Phelan is currently serving his second term as the Texas House Representative for House District 21, which covers part of Jefferson County and all of Orange County.

Since he was elected in 2014, Phelan has fought to advance a conservative agenda by balancing the state budget, securing the border, expanding 2nd amendment rights, and protecting the unborn. During the 85th Legislative Session, Phelan also supported legislation to reform the property tax system, improve mental health care, ban sanctuary cities, and fix our broken school finance system.

As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Phelan has played an instrumental role in crafting the state budget. Before concluding the 85th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature gave final approval to a $217 billion budget for the next biennium. Despite revenue challenges facing the state and significant population and inflation growth, the budget maintains the fiscal commitment to border security funding, dedicates new funding to community mental health services across the state, and invests additional funding to address the crisis at Child Protective Services and improve foster care.

Continuing in his fight to expand 2nd amendment rights, Phelan co-sponsored legislation that will lower the handgun license and application fee from $140 to $40, lessening the undo financial burden on Texans.

A man of strong Christian faith, Phelan is an unshakeable defender of life. This session, he co-sponsored the pro-life legislation that bans the inhumane procedures of partial-birth abortion, dismemberment abortion, and prohibits the sale of fetal tissues and organs.

Phelan has also been successful in passing many of his key pieces of legislation that directly impact Southeast Texas, including legislation to require three- point seat belts on school buses, the Gulf Shrimp Liberty Act, and legislation that will reduce program costs for students at Lamar University.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished during my time in the Texas House, but there is more work to be done,” said Representative Phelan. “Without question, House District 21 can count on me to remain committed to our conservative values and important legislative matters for the betterment of our great state.”

Capitol Inside named Representative Phelan one of the outstanding freshmen after his first session and this month honored him again as the Most Valuable Sophomore member of the Legislature.

In addition to serving as a member of the Appropriations Committee, he also serves as a member on the Calendars Committee, the Select Committee on Texas Ports & Infrastructure, and serves as Vice- Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.

Dade Phelan is a successful family businessman, serving the needs of the entire Southeast Texas community. He and his wife, Kim, live in Jefferson County with their four children, Ford, Mack, Hank, and Luke.

 

Dade Phelan is Texas House Member Representative for District 21