Dr. Schwertner goes to Austin

Posted: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 9:53 am

By Christine Bolaños christine@hillcountrynews.com | 0 comments

http://www.hillcountrynews.com/news/article_144d77fa-65df-11e0-8537-001cc4c002e0.html

AUSTIN - It's the start of another long day at Congress Avenue. House representatives haven't even headed to the chamber yet to continue debating over critical bills affecting education and health on Wednesday morning. But state Rep. Charles Schwertner, R- Georgetown, is already pumping with energy at the Committee on Public Health public hearing.

The meeting comes to a close and Schwertner makes time to stop at his office for a brief photo opportunity and manages to arrive at the House floor before 10 a.m. He juggles a reporter's initial interview and a handful of constituents and fellow legislators stopping him for quick chats. He gleams with excitement as he looks over the calendar for the day.

The highlights of the day will be debate among representatives regarding House Bill 6, relating to foundation curriculum, establishment of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools; and House Bill 500, relating to end-of-course assessment instruments administered to public high school students, he shares.

As the freshman legislator goes into detail about the bills, two Georgetown ISD children greet him as House pages for the morning. Morgan Oliver and Andrew Ellison of Benold Middle School help House sergeants open doors or pick up documents from Schwertner's office as needed. Schwertner appears delighted to meet the children and walks them over to House Speaker Joe Straus for a photo.

Next, he chats with fellow representatives on the day's topics as they prepare to vote and debate on House bills.

On April 4, Schwertner, an orthopedic surgeon and University of Texas at Austin graduate, released a statement on House Bill 1:

"With the passage of HB 1, the Texas House has taken the first step towards a balanced and responsible budget that does not raise taxes on the people of Texas. For the taxpayers, seniors, teachers, and schoolchildren of my district, I wish to make it clear that I am supporting the passage of HB 1 only as a starting point in the evolving and ongoing budgetary process.

When considering the final state budget later this session, my support will ultimately be determined by a number of factors - specifically that it does not increase taxes on the people of Texas and that it places a high priority on funding for public education and essential services for our children, the elderly, and the truly indigent. I am confident that the House and Senate are capable of coming together in the weeks ahead to pass a balanced and responsible budget which satisfies the conditions and works within our available revenue."

Schwertner believes in transparency, which is reflected in his frequent use of his Facebook and Twitter accounts to stay connected with his constituents. The lifelong Republican and small-business owner has been married for 13 years to his wife Belinda, a local obstetrician/gynecologist, for 13 years. They have three young sons in public schools. He is the managing partner and former practicing physician at Georgetown Orthopedics, LLC, a medical clinic with more than 40 employees that provides annual care to more 20,000 local patients. Even as a young man, the representative worked hard putting himself through medical school by working as a pharmacist.

He is an active member of St. Helen's Catholic Church in Georgetown, past president of the Williamson County Medical Society, and is part of a six-generation family with ranching and farming roots. As a true fiscal conservative, he is active in the Williamson County Republican Party, Texas Right to Life, National Rifle Association and Texas State Rifle Association. He is a strong believer in lower taxes and reduced government spending to encourage economic growth and job creation.

As a doctor, Schwertner said he believes the Health Care Reform Act could negatively affect patient's rights, particularly that of the elderly. He said he works to protect their rights from government intrusion, health insurance company abuses and rationing of care, especially as it pertains to seniors.

Protecting seniors' health care rights and education are two of his main platforms. Important decisions, and most importantly, the right decisions have to made in the name of children who are the future of the state and of the country, he said.

He represents District 20, including the cities of Leander, Liberty Hill, part of Cedar Park, and part of Leander ISD.

"The legislative process is meant to keep bad laws from taking place," said Schwertner of the inner workings of the Capitol. "Stay involved and get involved. Even though [people] may feel [what happens here] doesn't directly affect them, it does."

Schwertner and his team can be contacted in several ways: At

charles.schwertner@gmail.com, via Twitter @DrSchwertner, DrSchwertner on Facebook and at drschwertner.com. To contact his office, call 463-0309.