Lois Kolkhorst (2026)

11/04/2026

Continuing travels and meetings across Senate District 18, it was just terrific to have the opportunity to visit Waller ISD recently!

Grateful to Superintendent Bennie Mayes and his team for the tours of Waller Junior High and Cure Elementary. Got to see firsthand our teachers in action during classroom teaching! Shoutout to Principal Amanda Thompson and the great group of teachers for their enthusiasm and hard work.

Waller ISD is one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas with over 10,000 students while projections estimate growth over 27,000 in the next 10 years.

While touring Cure Elementary, had time to visit with the school’s namesake, Coach Mary Alice Cure, plus Principal Michelle Sciba.

Fun Fact and a proud moment: Congrats to my niece, Jill Hyatt, for being named the Elementary Teacher of the Year for the entire Waller school district just two weeks ago! She teaches at Jones Elementary and is only in her second year there. Teachers like Jill make a huge difference in the lives of children and I’m so grateful for her passion and the passion of many teachers like her that give it their all — every day plus going the extra mile to make the experience of learning the very best for children!

09/04/2026

Chaired the first interim hearing of 2026 for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee yesterday, addressing the charge from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to eliminate fraud and explore and recommend ways to prevent fraud and abuse in Texas human services programs, including, but not limited to, Medicaid and Child Care Services programs.

Here is my opening statement from yesterday’s hearing:

“The timing for this hearing couldn’t be more perfect. We are dealing today with a healthcare epidemic, but not from a disease or virus - we are examining a nationwide epidemic of fraud in healthcare.

With scandals in places like Minnesota and California drawing national attention, we as Texans must examine our own system, see how we measure up to other states, and make any needed improvements.

The bar is pretty low. In Minnesota’s recent healthcare fraud scandal, we saw "industrial-scale" fraud across 14 programs. Federal prosecutors estimate that as much as $9 billion—roughly half of the $18 billion spent on these programs since 2018 in Minnesota—may have been stolen. It became so bad that prosecutors allege "fraud tourism," where individuals with no ties to the state set up shell companies to bill for services never provided.

For instance, Minnesota providers allegedly recruited families, helped children get false autism diagnoses, and paid kickbacks to parents to enroll. One provider pleaded guilty to stealing $14 million.

You may have seen the journalist Nick Shirley’s viral video exposing Minnesota allegations from December 2025, showing targeted Somali-run daycare centers defrauding tens of millions of dollars.

Across the nation, in California, we saw earlier this month, on April 2, Federal officials arrested eight people involved in various health care fraud schemes totaling $50 million in and around Los Angeles.

Five of these cases involved hospice-care centers that allegedly billed for patients that were not terminally ill and did not qualify for hospice services, the US Attorney’s Office said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently estimated that Los Angeles County alone represents $3.5 billion in hospice fraud, and that 18 percent of all hospice billing in the United States comes from this single county.

Looking back, Medicaid was formed in 1965 as part of President Johnson’s “Great Society” program for Americans living in poverty. It’s reported that Medicaid expenditures were less than $1 billon in 1966.

Today, Medicaid is an $816 billion program, with about 85 million people enrolled in the program as of the beginning of last year.

Medicaid is operated by the states but overseen by the federal government. It’s a sobering fact that 24% of Texans — that’s one in four — are on some type of program supported by Medicaid.

That means it is our job as state lawmakers to take a long, hard look in the mirror and strike a balance between the generosity of taxpayers and the organized theft that today gets rich off that generosity.

We as Texans need this hearing — because Medicaid has grown into what Dickens called a tale of two cities— competing tales between the truly needy families… and the fraudsters. It’s up to us to listen, learn, and take appropriate actions, and above all, remember the old adage that ‘There is no such thing as a government-funded program. It’s all taxpayer-funded programs.”

09/04/2026

A shout out to my husband for receiving the “Chairman’s Award” from Texas Historical Commission Board Chair John Nau last night in Austin! Chairman Nau recognized Jimmy for his efforts over many, many years at Washington on the Brazos and the recently completed total renovation where Jimmy, with others, helped raise $11 million from private donors across the state.

JImmy grew up in “Old Washington” where his family has roots back to the 1880s.

This is so fitting given that Jimmy’s parents, Vivian and the late James (Bubba) Kolkhorst were involved at Washington on the Brazos when we were but children. I remember several decades ago when they were both involved in raising $1 million for the museum when it had its previous redo.

This award is an example of Jimmy’s life-long dedication to Texas history and his passion for preserving the story of Texas for future generations!

07/04/2026

Essential services like EMS, police and fire are a bedrock of our communities across our state and especially in SD 18.

So impressed with the City of Victoria’s Public Safety Headquarters, a state-of-the-art facility opened earlier this spring, marking the beginning of a new era in public safety services for the crossroads region.

Enjoyed the tour by Mayor Duane Crocker and City Manager Jesús Garza, but most importantly enjoyed my visit with Police Chief Clay Fetters and congratulate him on his recent official appointment as Chief! Also caught up with Fire Chief George Gamez. Meeting with their officers and staff was truly a highlight and they are all clearly proud of the new facilities as they should be. This new facility consolidates several departments under one roof, from the police department and 911 dispatch to the fire administrators and municipal courts.

It has been over 60 years since the police department had new facilities and the City has knocked it out of the park with this one. Congratulations to all and thank you for your dedication and service to Victoria!

07/04/2026

Here in Texas, sometimes life requires time to stop and smell the buttercups.

05/04/2026

He is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28: 5-6

Our most triumphant day! May the Holy Spirit touch the heart of you and your family, filling you with renewed joy and hope as we celebrate the Risen Lord!

Happy Easter!

03/04/2026

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

In the darkest hour, we were saved because He bore all our sins on the cross. We reflect on this Good Friday and await the Risen Lord.

03/04/2026

Stood with champions this past week! Traveled to Iola to present Senate resolutions to the Lady Bulldogs recognizing their success last fall as the Class 2A Division II State Volleyball Champions!

This was the 3rd year in a row for the team to reach the State playoffs, winning the title in 2023 and finishing 2024 with a loss to Crawford. These girls came roaring back this year to take back the crown from Crawford and regain their title. Such an impressive group of young ladies. Congratulations to Coach McDougald, and the assistant coaches as well!

Also spent time touring the elementary school as well as the high school. Great school district with wonderful community support and dedicated teachers and staff!

02/04/2026

Important hearing today in Austin serving on the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. Lt Governor Dan Patrick issued an interim charge to review the securing of critical infrastructure and our supply chain integrity for the Texas electric grid.

Look closely at the chart here. As the panelist Dr. Britt Freund said, “Orange in this chart is bad.” The orange portion represents the inverter market concentration of China for wind, solar and battery storage in Texas. An inverter is a key piece of equipment in renewable energy systems (wind, solar, and battery storage). Its main job is to convert electricity into a usable form.

The Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2021, prohibits foreign enemy countries like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from connecting to our electrical grid system. We are the only state in the nation that has such protections, but as we are learning… Too many components of renewable energy come from enemy countries, including Iran. It creates security vulnerabilities for our electrical grid.

Over the last two sessions, I’ve authored reforms and guardrails for wind and solar projects, only to see all of my efforts thwarted by the international wind and solar lobby.

Today, there was bipartisan agreement that there must be more safeguards in place, including the equipment used at these facilities, as well as the proliferation of these projects that could damage the electrical grid due to overdevelopment without reliability.

During testimony, I often referred to the multiple BESS projects that are being proposed in Austin County, as well as other counties I represent. This should be a concern to all Texans, not just my constituents in Austin County.

31/03/2026

Working to Make Texas Healthy Again!

No longer are your tax dollars being used to purchase sugary drinks or candy for those utilizing the Texas Lone Star Card (SNAP benefits known as food stamps).

April 1 is the implementation of SB 379, a bill that can make a huge difference in the health of our children and adults. Senate Bill 379 was passed during the 89th Texas Legislature (2025) and signed into law in June 2025. In August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved a healthy foods waiver submitted by Texas, allowing the state to put these new SNAP limitations into effect.

Did you know that soda is currently the #1 purchase made with SNAP dollars in Texas? Research has shown that sugary drinks and sweets are strongly linked to chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Disallowing the purchase of these kinds of drinks and foods with your tax dollars is one small but powerful step toward reversing serious health trends in our communities.

22 states have now passed legislation to ban sugary drinks and candy from being purchased with SNAP benefits: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.

What you can still buy with SNAP: Fruits and vegetables (including seeds and plants that grow food), milk, milk substitutes, and other dairy products, bread and cereals, meat, fish, and poultry, and beverages that contain milk or milk substitutes, or are more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume.

I was proud to co-author SB 379 with my friend, State Senator Mayes Middleton. When he is our next Attorney General I look forward to working with him on even more sensible reforms during the next legislative session.

31/03/2026

Excellent “State of the City” luncheon last week in Sugar Land. Appreciate the report and future vision plans presented by Mayor Carol McCutcheon and City Manager Mike Goodrum.

Honored to represent Sugar Land and excited about its many projects like the Imperial Historic District. The City initiated preservation planning for the nearly 100-year-old Char House, with design work underway and construction anticipated to begin following completion of design later this year. Many other exciting projects announced as well.

Fun Fact: The City is named after the sugar cane industry that once thrived there. While sugarcane farming ended in 1928, Imperial Sugar continued to grow, eventually becoming a massive sugar refining hub. So it’s great to see this important and iconic part of history preserved and re-envisioned.

Sugar Land is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse and ethnically rich cities in Texas, attracting residents from all over the world.

29/03/2026

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.””
Matthew 21: 8-11

Preparing our hearts and minds for Holy Week — so humbling to grasp Christ’s sacrifices and pain so that we will live with Him for forever.

Lois Kolkhorst

11/04/2026

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

05/04/2026

03/04/2026

03/04/2026

02/04/2026

31/03/2026

31/03/2026

29/03/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share