Quick recap

The meeting focused on discussing legislative challenges and strategies for the upcoming session, including interim charges and a special election analysis that suggested shifting political trends. The group explored various issues related to DWI and drug courts, including treatment options and funding challenges, while also discussing the possibility of increasing alcohol taxes and addressing reduced funding for state-funded treatment beds. The conversation ended with discussions about funding consolidation issues, recent changes in treatment and prevention strategies, and a new funding opportunity from the Trump administration for medication-assisted treatment.

Next steps

• Duane: Draft and share with the group a document regarding the point person for prevention programs in the education committee, likely Senator Paxton, by the next meeting.

• Guillermo: Arrange time with Judge Robert Achundo to provide information and/or a general overview on DWI courts and potential statutory challenges, if specific questions arise from the group.

• Jennifer: Try to locate and share information about the Washington State therapeutic court model and the researcher/university involved, to inform the group's understanding of alternative DWI court approaches.

• Noelle: Gather more details from the new member interested in DWI court/treatment legislation to better understand the specific changes or standardization being proposed.

• Noelle/Anna: Share the document Anna prepared (regarding funding changes and impacts) with Duane and the group.

• Noelle: Reach out to HHSC (and Dr. Laguna) to obtain more detailed information about the new Great American Recovery Initiative funding opportunities, including any matching fund requirements and Texas-specific plans.

• Vaughan: Forward Noelle the press release specific to DFPS-involved families and MAT services as a prevention-eligible service.

• Noelle: Include information about the recovery initiative and related executive order in the upcoming newsletter.

• Duane: Sound out the beer wholesalers' position regarding any potential alcohol tax dedication/benchmarking proposal, if the group decides to pursue that legislative idea.

• Vaughan: Ask judges with whom Vaughan's organization works if they have examples of individuals ending up in jail or the state criminal justice system due to lack of available treatment funds, and report relevant findings back to the group.

• Noelle: Monitor for immediate harms or evidence of reduced access to treatment due to funding changes and attempt to compile data or stories for legislative advocacy, as discussed.

• Noelle: Follow up with Dr. Laguna as planned to discuss the recovery initiative and related funding opportunities.

  
  

Summary

Texas Legislative and Election Trends

The group discussed legislative interim charges and the upcoming special election in Texas. Duane explained the process for interim charges, noting that the Senate's charges tend to be more political than the House's, and that getting invited to testify is not a guarantee of future legislative action. They also discussed the recent special election to fill Senator Hancock's seat, which flipped from Republican to Democratic despite being in a strongly Republican district. Duane suggested this could be a sign of shifting political trends in suburban areas, potentially affecting future legislative elections.

DWI and Drug Court Challenges

The group discussed challenges and potential legislative actions related to DWI and drug courts, focusing on treatment options and court processes. Duane inquired about the current state of DWI courts and treatment programs, which led to a discussion about the variety of specialty courts and their different approaches across Texas and other states. Guillermo suggested connecting with Judge Robert Achundo for more information on DWI court systems, while Jennifer offered to research Washington State's therapeutic courts model. The group also touched on the possibility of expanding access to treatment courts for both public and private pay individuals, though Laura noted that the current system already includes multiple specialized courts with varying referral processes.

Alcohol Tax Increase Discussion

The group discussed the possibility of increasing the alcohol tax, noting that the legislature hasn't raised taxes in 15 years. Duane explained that while dedicated funds can be created, there's no guarantee they will be spent as intended, as past examples show. He also highlighted the political influence of beer wholesalers, who oppose direct-to-consumer sales and would likely oppose any tax increases. Duane suggested exploring the idea of benchmarking future tax revenue for treatment funding, similar to transportation and education funding, but warned that it would require careful consideration and vigilance to protect the dedicated funds from being swept for other purposes.

State-Funded Treatment Beds Funding Challenges

The group discussed challenges with reduced funding for state-funded treatment beds, particularly affecting specialty courts like drug and mental health courts in Houston and Austin. Duane suggested gathering testimony from judges about how treatment access limitations are leading to longer jail stays and increased criminal justice costs, while Guillermo shared that a local judge is facing legal pressure due to extended jail times. The group agreed to conduct fact-finding missions and consider surveying ASAP members to collect data on funding cuts and their impact on treatment availability, which could help secure legislative support for increased funding.

Regional Funding Allocation Concerns

The group discussed funding consolidation issues where regional funds were allocated to larger institutions without proper needs assessment, resulting in potential harm to smaller agencies and specialized services over the next year. Duane suggested using data to engage legislators for specific programs, while Laura raised questions about tracking evidence of funding impacts. The conversation ended with Noelle seeking feedback on meeting expectations, particularly regarding legislative initiatives and future meeting content.

State Policy and Funding Updates

The group discussed their focus on both funding and broader public policy issues, with Jennifer emphasizing the need for policy wins that impact coverage and prevention services. Participants shared their interest in hearing updates from providers across the state and discussed challenges such as rates and the impact of SB12 on entering schools. The conversation highlighted the importance of keeping agencies informed about current policies and using this information to engage with donors and raise awareness about industry challenges.

Treatment and Prevention Strategy Updates

The group discussed recent changes in treatment and prevention strategies, with Laura emphasizing the importance of monitoring these developments. Janie mentioned a presidential executive order related to the topic, and Anna confirmed that a brief about the recovery initiative would be included in the upcoming newsletter. Abigail highlighted the challenges faced by prevention teams in accessing schools due to new consent form requirements and expressed the need to educate legislators about the impact on children. The group also touched on the financial impact of recent events and the need to stay informed about national developments to support both prevention and treatment efforts.

Trump MAT Funding Opportunity

The group discussed a new funding opportunity from the Trump administration for medication-assisted treatment, with Duane explaining that states would need to provide matching funds and submit applications within a 3-month window. Noelle agreed to contact HHSC for more details about potential funding for Texas, while Vaughan mentioned a separate press release regarding DFPS-involved families and MAT services. Duane emphasized the political significance of having Trump administration support and suggested leveraging this for legislative purposes, particularly given Texas's unique budget cycle.