Friends,
Welcome back to Capitol Update.
It has been some time since our last newsletter, but as we prepare for the 90th Legislative Session, I want to reconnect with you and provide updates on the work being done both at the Capitol and here in House District 130. Moving forward, we plan to resume these updates on a monthly basis so that you can stay informed about legislative developments and opportunities to engage with your state government.
Although the Texas Legislature is not currently in session, our work never stops. Throughout this interim, I have continued serving as the Chairman of the House Republican Caucus where I am continuously working toward ensuring a bright future for the Republican Party.
During the session, myself and other members of the Caucus’ Executive Committee pioneer conservative legislation in Texas by making policy recommendations backed by legislative analysis.
Last winter, I began serving as the State Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is an organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. I attend ALEC conferences each interim in order to liaise with state lawmakers to draft model legislation to be used in our home states.
This spring, I had the honor of being appointed to serve as a member of the House Select Committee on Healthcare Affordability.
These roles allow me to work with policymakers across the state and nation to develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our great state.
In this edition of the Capitol Update, you will read about:
- Preparing for the 90th Legislative Session
- Select Committee on Healthcare Affordability Update
Preparing for the 90th Legislative Session
The 90th Legislative Session will begin on January 12, 2027. The session is still months away, but preparation is already in motion. Committee hearings, stakeholder meetings and policy discussions occurring now will help shape the legislation filed next year.
Texans continue to face rising costs across nearly every aspect of daily life. Inflation has increased the price of groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing and insurance. Texas must remain focused on policies that strengthen the economy, promote competition and allow families to keep more of their hard-earned money.
As legislators, we must distinguish between headline-grabbing spending numbers and real-world results. Too often, discussions in Austin focus on billions of dollars appropriated without considering whether those expenditures actually improve outcomes for Texas families. The goal should not simply be spending more, it should be achieving better results.
As we prepare for the 90th Legislative Session, my office will remain focused on advancing practical, conservative solutions that address the issues most important to Texas families. That includes pursuing legislation to help lower the cost of homeowners insurance, continuing the effort to provide lasting property tax relief with the goal of ultimately eliminating property taxes and expanding access to affordable healthcare.
By reducing the financial burdens facing homeowners, taxpayers and patients, we can strengthen Texas’ economy, improve quality of life and ensure that our state remains the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.
Select Committee on Healthcare Affordability
One of my primary responsibilities during the interim has been serving on the House Select Committee on Healthcare Affordability. As a physician lawmaker, improving the Texas healthcare system has been one of my main passions and priorities since becoming a member of the legislature.
The Healthcare Affordability Committee recently held its first hearing to examine the factors driving healthcare costs higher for Texas families, employers and taxpayers. Healthcare affordability remains one of the most significant economic challenges facing our state, affecting everything from family budgets to small business growth.
Our discussion focused on several key issues, including:
• Hospital pricing and transparency
• Prescription drug costs
• Insurance market competition
• Administrative burdens that increase healthcare costs
• Consumer access to pricing information
For too long, patients have been expected to make major healthcare decisions without knowing the cost of services beforehand. Markets function best when consumers have access to transparent information and meaningful choices.
I have always advocated for policies that increase transparency, promote competition and empower patients and will continue to do so in future legislative sessions.
The committee will continue meeting throughout the interim and I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify reforms that can improve access to quality healthcare while reducing costs for Texas families.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing House District 130 in the Texas House of Representatives. It is an honor to serve you and your family.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance.
God Bless,
Tom Oliverson, M.D.
Republican State Representative
House District 130
