AUSTIN (January 9, 2017)--Today, House Minority Whip, Representative Ron Reynolds proudly joined many House and Senate colleagues, along with multiple civil rights organizations to address racially-motivated incidences of harassment and intimidation that have escalated across the country since the November elections of 2016. Leaders from the African American, Latino, and Asian communities called upon Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Joe Strauss to address the hateful rhetoric, racial tension, and uncivil political speech that has escalated since the election of President-Elect Trump. Rep. Reynolds and his colleagues challenged the leaders of the Republican Party to be united in resisting bottom-barrel politics during the 85th legislative session and work together as statesman to address the pressing issues that matter to all Texans, such as public education, healthcare, our economy, jobs, and not the divisive partisan policies of the Tea Party. Rep. Reynolds called about upon Texas legislators to be responsible and accountable in the ongoing fight against racial bullying, inflamed political speech, and fear mongering.

The civil rights organizations also immediately called for a review of the appointments to the Legislative Budget Board. Despite being a Majority-Minority state with 53% minority population, Republican leadership has failed to appoint a single minority policymaker to the 10 member board that oversees fiscal recommendations to state agencies and evaluates their performance. The lack of minority representation on such a powerful committee is unacceptable and denies fair representation to all Texans in the operation of their state government.

Ron Reynolds represents Texas House District 27, which encompasses communities of Fort Bend County. Representative Reynolds currently serves as the Democratic Whip of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, and a member of the House Committees on Elections and Environmental Regulations.