Community&State Links

I was privileged to welcome Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott to my legislative district this week to meet with local representatives from industry and school districts concerning the workforce shortage in skilled vocational areas. Brazosport ISD Superintendent Joe Keith Ripple, along with Angleton ISD Superintendent Heath Burns, Columbia-Brazoria Superintendent Carol Bertholf, Danbury ISD Superintendent Eric Grimmett, and Sweeny ISD Superintendent Randy Miksch are to be highly commended for coordinating and attending this informative event.

I share school and industry leaders' concerns that current graduation requirements will increase dropouts and leave even fewer qualified workers for local jobs. All high school students are now being directed into what is known as a 4x4 curriculum which includes four years each of English, social studies, math and science, including physics and chemistry. With additional required courses, students no longer have the opportunity to take vocational training.
I join Commissioner Scott in supporting courses that are more relevant to students, such as using geometry for construction instead of a fourth year of math theory.

To that end, when the State Board of Education was setting rules for implementation of the 4x4 in 2006, I asked members to consider a broader spectrum of courses and allow students to take math and science courses that related to their career interests.
I also joint-authored legislation last session to allow students to complete two career and technology courses in place of a math or science course. On a similar note, I successfully passed an amendment in the House to change the name of the "Minimum Diploma," which is deliberately stigmatizing students who want to concentrate on vocational courses. Unfortunately, neither of these made it into law but I have made this effort a priority and will continue to work for these changes next session.

I was also encouraged to hear suggestions of allowing Brazosport ISD and Sweeny ISD to use a portion of recapture money for regional vocational facilities for all area schools instead of sending it to the state. I fully support initiatives to keep local tax money in this county and, since Brazosport College is already a national model for workforce training, can envision a partnership there.
We are fortunate to be living in an area where there are phenomenal opportunities for good jobs. Refining and petrochemical industries have average hourly operators earning between $60,000 and $100,000 a year with a high school diploma or associate's degree. Contractors are having problems hiring skilled craft workers who can earn $75,000 a year. Further, more than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created in the Gulf Coast region in the next 3-5 years. We should not be depriving students from opportunities to have these financial resources.

I applaud local school districts and industry for proactively searching for ways to address this situation and I will continue working with them to find a solution that will foster our children's education while also bolstering our local economy.
 

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Evelyn Welsch portrayed Miss Ima Hogg at the reenactment ceremony showing how the land had changed ownership from 1824 to 1958. (photo on right)

Rep. Bonnen with reenactors Flem Rogers and Michael Bailey, volunteer president Betty Hodges and former congressman Greg Laughlin. (bottom photo)

West Columbia Historical Site
Celebrates 50th Anniversary 

While attending the 50th anniversary celebration of Varner-Hogg Plantation in West Columbia recently, my family and I were captivated by the historical reenactment of how the land had changed hands from Martin Varner in 1824 to Governor James Hogg in 1901, with the site becoming a park after his daughter donated it to the state on March 24, 1958.

I felt very fortunate to introduce my children to such an important piece of Texas history and I am proud of the efforts that have been made to ensure its future existence.

Before the 80th Legislature convened in 2007, I personally toured Varner-Hogg and saw the urgent need for funds to maintain this property.  In response, I co-authored legislation to restore the sporting goods tax to its original purpose of supporting our parks and, as a result, Texas Parks and Wildlife is receiving $137.5 million in additional funds.

At the same time, I supported the transfer of the Varner Hogg and Levi Jordan Plantations to the Texas Historical Commission, which took place on January 1.  This will mean more dollars to enhance these sites and more promotion of their historical significance.   Overall, the Legislature dedicated $6.75 million in 2008 and $7 million in 2009, along with $34 million for capital improvements, to the THC to support these and other Texas historical sites.

I am excited about the opportunities to improve and preserve these Brazoria County landmarks.  Texas is recognized worldwide today and we need to let everyone know this is where our great state began.

A front view of the plantation home, originally
built in 1836 and extensively remodeled by the Hoggs.

Volunteers Janet Dahse, Betty Blackman and Alice Ramby 

Rep. Bonnen with Stephen F. Austin reenactor Stan Murray.

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Columbia Bottomlands Project Will Preserve Our Natural Heritage

Rep. Bonnen tells the audience how he enjoyed exploring the woods when he was a youngster and says he hopes his own children have the same opportunity to see natural habitat.

Rep. Bonnen talks with Billy Jacobs and Suzette Chapman of Brazoria.  Ms. Chapman is a landowner who donated property on Cedar Lakes Creek to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

Jim  Renfro of Lake Jackson was one of many bird enthusiasts at the event where Reliant announced plans to preserve 1,170 acres of the bottomlands. The area is vital to migrating neo-tropical birds.

How often do we get to see plants and wildlife in their natural habitat?

What are the chances of our children and grandchildren ever seeing it?

For the past 10 years the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have worked to acquire land and restore the Columbia Bottomlands in southern Brazoria County.

They got a big boost recently with an announcement from Reliant Energy that they will provide $300,000 to help restore 1,170 acres of the bottomlands.  With a match from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, more than $600,000  will be invested.

I especially enjoyed being invited to the Hudson Woods site of the announcement because my childhood friend John David Rainey and I used to spend hours traipsing through those woods close to his home on Sally Lake Road in Bailey's Prairie.

Like most kids, we had no idea this area was a key hotspot for migrating birds or that it was home to hundreds of different types of plants and wildlife.  But groups such as local birders recognized its value and. now thousands of acres are being conserved.

In the 1800s this was a forest of 1,000 square miles through Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Matagorda, and Wharton counties.  Today less than a fourth remains.

I am pleased to see the environmental stewardship being shown by Reliant Energy, stepping up not just with words but dollars to support energy conservation.  As Bill Baker of Reliant reminded everyone at the event, "Conservation without funding is just conversation."

This project will incorporate re-growth with native hardwood trees that can hold more than 154,000 tons of carbon and reduce greenhouse gas.

But the real story is that the land acquisition and tree planting will not allow new commercial and residential developments to be built in this scenic area.

Returning the Columbia Bottomlands to its natural glory means the preservation of some of the largest old-growth bottomland forest in the south and the home of the San Bernard Oak, the largest live oak in Texas.

While I am proud this is happening in my legislative district, I am especially excited that our children and their children will be able to enjoy this natural heritage.

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State Representative Dennis Bonnen and Pearland resident Mary Ellen Harris were named to the Hall of Honor at the Lincoln-Reagan Day dinner for Brazoria County Republications.

The two join a long list of Republicans who have dedicated their time and efforts to making the party the majority party in the county, explained John Dewey, who helped create the award in 1980.

In making the announcement County Commissioner Jack Harris praised Bonnen for the work he had done in Austin and how his efforts reflected well on his constituents.

"He has been extremely productive during every legislative session since taking office and has brought distinction to Brazoria County," he said.

Mary Ellen Harris was praised for being a faithful volunteer, working in every election cycle since 1984 and being the kind of worker who would not hesitate to climb across a muddy ditch to put up a sign for her candidate.

"Becoming a member of the Hall of Honor meant even more to me because I was able to share it with someone like Mary Ellen Harris," Bonnen said. "She is an example for all of us."
 

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Bonnen Honored for E-Waste Legislation
 

Representative Dennis Bonnen is being recognized for his leadership in Texas' electronic waste recycling.

Representing the American Electronics Association, Fred Shannon of Hewlett-Packard presented Bonnen with the 2007 Texas Champions for Technology award at a luncheon hosted by the Brazoria County Chambers of Commerce in Lake Jackson on January 31.  The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce presented Bonnen with their Environmental Steward award in Austin on January 17.

The awards noted Bonnen's efforts in passing House Bill 2714, better known as the E-Waste Recycling bill, last session.  The bill requires computer manufacturers who sell products in Texas to provide consumers with convenient and free recycling of those products when they are no longer useful.  HB 2714 has become so successful that it has become the national e-waste legislative model for other states wanting to adopt similar regulations.

"We applaud Representative Bonnen for getting this bill right," said Shannon, who complimented him for working well with both manufacturers and environmentalists in drawing up the legislation. 

Texas is one of five states that has adopted producer take-back laws for e-waste.

Of the estimated 133,000 PCs discarded by U.S. homes and businesses every day, the EPA says only 12.5 percent is recycled and the other 87.5 percent goes into landfills or incinerators.

"By requiring products to be recycled, we not only properly dispose of bad stuff but we can also recover metals and plastics to be reused," Bonnen explained.

Under the bill, manufacturers have the flexibility to devise their own plans to recycle products they have sold.  This gives them the ability to be innovative in finding efficient ways to provide collection and recovery.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is now working out rules for implementing the new law.

"H.B. 2714 is crucial to emerging technology and our environment because it provides a level playing field.  Computer manufacturers may now compete on how efficiently their products can be manufactured, marketed and recycled." said Rep. Bonnen.  "Additionally the bill will create jobs in the electronic recycling field and take the burden of handling e-waste off the shoulders of local governments and taxpayers."
 

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The American Electronics Association  recognized Rep. Bonnen with their 2007 Texas Champions for Technology Award.  Fred Shannon of Hewlett-Packard and Jeff Clark of the American Electronic Association were on hand to present the award at the Brazoria County Chambers of Commerce luncheon January 31.

The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce presented Bonnen with their Environmental Steward award at a dinner in Austin January 17.  Shown presenting the award are Gil Casellas, Dell vice-president of Corporate Responsibility and Maria Mendez, director of Aetna SW Region Emerging Markets.

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