Senator Lois Kolkhorst Takes Oath of Office

With the backdrop of COVID-19 and threats of civil unrest, the 87th Texas Legislature convened at noon on Tuesday in the Texas State Capitol. State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), joined by members of her family, took the Oath of Office administered by Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht.

“Texas faces challenges on many fronts, from public health to public education,” said Kolkhorst. “Over the next 140 days, I look forward to working sideby-side with my fellow lawmakers and listening to my constituents on how we can build a better Texas. We must continue creating jobs, lowering the property tax burden, and fully funding our schools. Let’s protect our most vulnerable, but at the same time recognize that every Texan job is essential. These are challenging times and Texans deserve results. That’s why we will work together to deliver practical legislation and an affordable state budget that will keep our economy strong and help us move past this pandemic.”

Much attention has been given to how both the Senate and House will conduct business during the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Senator Kolkhorst expressed her hope that a balance can be found between public health precautions and the ability for the Texas Legislature to have an open and transparent legislative process. Kolkhorst, who also serves on the state’s COVID-19 Expert Vaccine Advisory Panel, said she is also encouraged by the ongoing vaccinations across the state although she stressed that the limited amount of vaccines currently available needs to be increased and more widely distributed.

“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, my goal this session is to find solutions that maintain public health while at the same time preserve our freedoms, families, and jobs.”

Senator Kolkhorst has already filed SB 267, the Essential Caregiver Act in an effort to strengthen the rights of nursing home residents to maintain contact and personal visits with family and loved ones during future state emergencies.