June 1, 2005

Representative Vicki Truitt		Representative Carl Isett

Local MHMR authorities will continue managing funds and providing mental health and mental retardation services under legislation sent to the governor Sunday, a move hailed by Lubbock Regional MHMR board members and other local officials as a victory for local control over state bureaucracy.

Representative Carl Isett R-Lubbock co-authored the bill and provided active leadership to guide the bill to passage along with the author, Representative Vicki Truitt R-Tarrant and Senate sponsor Kyle Janek R-Houston. The legislation corrects a measure passed last session that many believe threatened the safety net for those most in need of mental health and mental retardation services and reflects an agreement reached between the Community MHMR Centers of Texas and the Private Providers’ Association of Texas. The legislation retains the local fund management authority and infrastructure of the current MHMR system across Texas and sets the stage for the continued expansion of the network of private sector providers.

An alternate piece of legislation considered during the recently completed legislative session would have shifted control of funds from local areas to the state through a mega-region design that many believed would ultimately put private managed care companies in control of the resources dedicated to people with serious mental illness and mental retardation. The Council of Urban Counties and numerous county judges expressed concerns about this alternative bill. Supporters of the legislation promoted by Isett drew attention to the $44 million dollars in local funds contributed by counties and other local taxing authorities to Community MHMR Centers across the state.

Brian Shannon, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Lubbock Regional MHMR expressed gratitude to Representative Isett for his tireless and dedicated leadership on this important measure and optimism that it will be signed into law by the Governor, “We believe it supports the goals expressed by Governor Perry in his January 26, 2005 State of the State address which called for increased local control and an investment in the safety net for people who can’t help themselves.”

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