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Medicare Agent in Houston, TX
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Houston, TX or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Houston, TX
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Houston, TX
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Houston, TX
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Houston, TX is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Houston, TX
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Houston, TX. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 57 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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Latest News in Houston, TX
Houston businessman to be honored with legendary Texas award in 2027
Amber Hecklerhttps://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/history-making-texans-john-nau/
The Austin-based Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) has set the date for its 23rd annual Texas Independence Day Dinner and unveiled the 2027 recipients of its prestigious History-Making Texan Award, which includes a prominent Houston businessman.Since 2005, the organization has honored "living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope and nature." Past galas have recognized prominent Texas figures such as former presidents George H.W. and George...
The Austin-based Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) has set the date for its 23rd annual Texas Independence Day Dinner and unveiled the 2027 recipients of its prestigious History-Making Texan Award, which includes a prominent Houston businessman.
Since 2005, the organization has honored "living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope and nature." Past galas have recognized prominent Texas figures such as former presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush and former first ladies Barbara and Laura Bush, as well as H-E-B chairman Charles Butt, singer-songwriter and accordionist Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenéz, among others.
The two 2027 History-Making Texan Award recipients are Texas Historical Commission chairman, businessman, and philanthropist John L. Nau, III, and trailblazing Texas actor, director, producer, and writer Taylor Sheridan. The 2027 gala will be held at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on March 2, Texas Independence Day.
"Our honorees are national leaders whose accomplishments have elevated Texas’ distinctive place on the national and international stage," Debbie Raynor, dinner chair and TSHMF Trustee, said in a statement. "John L. Nau, III and Taylor Sheridan have each, in very different ways, helped tell the Texas story — one through the preservation of our history and treasured places, the other through the power of storytelling that has brought Texas and the American West to audiences around the world."
Nau is the former chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the U.S. He has served as chairman of the Texas Historical Commission since 2015. Raynor said Nau's "commitment to preservation" extends further than his protection of Texas historic sites "to the stewardship and conservation of the land itself, including his bay area lodge in south Texas and his ranch in west Texas."
"[Nau's] leadership and lifelong dedication to history have earned him national recognition, but perhaps his greatest legacy is his determination to ensure that the stories and places that shaped Texas endure for generations to come," Raynor said.
Quadruple-threat filmmaker Sheridan is most widely recognized for his award-winning neo-Western TV series Yellowstone and its associated spin-offs 1883, 1923, Marshals, and Dutton Ranch. Raynor hailed Sheridan for his success in bringing a "remarkable new dimension to the way the world sees Texas and the American West."
"As a creator, writer, director, and executive producer of some of television’s most successful series, he has captured the imagination of audiences across the globe while bringing the people, landscapes, traditions and enduring spirit of the West into millions of homes," she said. "And he does more than tell the Texas story — he lives it, as a native Texan, accomplished horseman and steward of two legendary Texas ranches."
A release estimates about 450 "business, political, and community leaders" attend the Texas Independence Day Dinner each year, and proceeds will benefit the Bullock Museum's educational programs and special projects.
The 2027 Texas Independence Day Dinner will take place March 2, 2027, at the Bullock Museum in Austin. A VIP reception will start at 6:30 pm, followed by a 7 pm reception, and 7:30 dinner and program.
Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings: Week 5
Yahoo! Newshttps://sports.yahoo.com/articles/houston-texans-nfl-power-rankings-163000757.html
Is this it for the Houston Texans in 2026? Is this the unceremonious closing of their Super Bowl window? These may be questions you find easy to answer now, but were you expecting that to happen so early into this season?Some believe that's it's hard to get a read on any NFL teams until a quarter of the way into the season. Of course, you can often glean which teams are truly great and which are awful right away, but the majority of teams fall between those two extremes and require a sample size of a few games to figure out. Now that ...
Is this it for the Houston Texans in 2026? Is this the unceremonious closing of their Super Bowl window? These may be questions you find easy to answer now, but were you expecting that to happen so early into this season?
Some believe that's it's hard to get a read on any NFL teams until a quarter of the way into the season. Of course, you can often glean which teams are truly great and which are awful right away, but the majority of teams fall between those two extremes and require a sample size of a few games to figure out. Now that we're four games into the regular season, it's a bit easier to determine which teams are trending in the right and wrong direction…and Houston is going in about as wrong of a direction as you could possibly imagine. Four losses in a row is a new low for this new era of Texans football, the last time it occurred was the 2020 season and resulted in head coach/general manager Bill O'Brien being fired when he was arguably at the peak of his powers within the organization.
Unlike 2020, however, there's a head-spinning mishmash of newfound problems that haunt the 2026 Texans: the insistent, exhausting struggling of the offensive line and rushing attack now in their third year of failing to improve, the surprising development of significantly worse defensive coverage (partially caused by playing more zone rather than man outside the numbers), and, of course, the injuries. The injuries to the offensive line, wide receiver, and linebacker position groups have been truly disastrous to the team's cohesion, and the depth of the roster has not been able to pick up the slack in the way I'm sure general manager Nick Caserio intended.
So, what does this all mean for the Texans' spot on the power rankings? It means that they're going down, way down, and it will require a miracle for Houston to break into the top half of the list by season's end. The only NFL team to go 0-4 and still make the playoffs was the 1992 San Diego Chargers, and after last month's showing, I strongly doubt any pundits will be betting on the Houston Texans from repeating that remarkable feat. Here's where the Houston Texans are ranked following their 34-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys:
23. Houston Texans (0-4)
I think it's safe to remove the "elite" tag from the Texans' defense. For a second straight week, C.J. Stroud gave Houston a late lead, and the defense failed to protect it. Kamari Lassiter had an especially terrible day, giving up eight receptions for 136 yards on 11 targets as the closest defender, per Next Gen Stats. Houston's defense didn't generate organic pressure, resorting to blitzes against a quarterback (Dak Prescott) you certainly should not blitz often. The Texans paid the price and have wasted a rather strong stretch from Stroud, who is no longer the problem in Houston.
– Nick Shook
Week 4 result: Lost to the Cowboys 34-30Week 4 ranking: 21
Four words to describe the first four weeks: Pass defense is struggling.
The Texans' pass defense has fallen off a cliff in 2026. Last season, Houston was fifth in passing yards allowed (179 per game). So far in 2026, it's 28th (260). For a team with three Pro Bowlers in the secondary, that's inexcusable. There are a bunch of reasons, but a noteworthy one is that Houston hasn't pressed as much as last season. The Texans have the second-lowest press rate (25%), per ESPN Research, compared to the 12th highest in 2025 (56%). That has been a little confusing, as All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Pro Bowl corner Kamari Lassiter are best when pressing
– DJ Bien-Aime
20. Houston Texans (0–4)
Last week's ranking: No. 16Last week's result: lost to Cowboys, 34–30This week: at Titans
Of the teams whose seasons are theoretically dead in the water, Houston provides the faintest glimmer of hope. Braden Smith, Tank Dell and Kayden McDonald are on the way, the Titans are up next on the schedule and 1–4 looks far better (with three examples of playoff teams in the last 25 years, by the way).
– Conor Orr
28. Houston Texans (0-4)
Week 4 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 34-30
The Houston Texans understand what it means to start poorly then rally to earn a postseason appearance. However, the team has never started 0-4 and made the playoffs. Only one team in NFL history has.
What makes Houston's situation particularly concerning is the team could rely on its defense last season. This year is a different story. Houston went from fielding the league's best defense to sitting outside of the Top 20. Houston currently ranks among the bottom five pass defenses.
Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans' secondary couldn't slow CeeDee Lamb. Instead, Lamb set a new Dallas Cowboys franchise record Sunday with 17 receptions in a single game.
Ironically, Houston's offense was the bigger concern entering the 2026 campaign. It's currently ranked sixth overall.
– Brent Sobleski
26. Texans (0-4) (Last Week: 27)
They've made the playoffs after opening 0-3. But this year it's 0-4. Can they climb out from that hole to make the playoffs? Good luck.
– Pete Prisco
27. Houston Texans (25): Even if an 0-4 outfit wanted to wave the white flag, the contracts of players like DE Danielle Hunter and WR Nico Collins are basically untradeable due to their salary cap ramifications.
– Nate Davis
26. (0-4, LW: 24)
With 2:23 left on Sunday, the Texans scored to take a 30-27 lead. A defense that was expected to be one of the best in the NFL could win the game with one stop, or at least make sure the game went to overtime by holding Dallas to a field goal. The Cowboys went downfield and scored a touchdown.
Dallas has a good offense but Houston was supposed to have a good defense. The Texans don't. They are surprisingly average: 14th in DVOA after Sunday's games and 26th in EPA (expected points added) allowed per play. Defensive dominance can vary more season to season than offensive excellence, but it's still surprising that the Texans are winless and a middle-of-the-road defense is a big reason for that.
"It sucks, because we know we're the ones out there on the field," Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said, via the Houston Chronicle. "The coaches put us in the right position to win and we've got to do it. They can't do it, we've got to do it. We've got great coaches, we've got great everybody. We've got to go out there and do our job."
– Frank Schwab
Sunday: Lost to Cowboys 34-30
Concern level: Sky-high
This was supposed to be a team that could compete for the Super Bowl in a wide-open AFC. Instead, a defense that we thought had a chance to be an all-time great has looked awfully mediocre through the first four weeks. It's the main reason for the Texans' winless start.
Up next: at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
– Chad Graff & Josh Kendall
24. Texans (No. 17; 0-4): Where did the Houston defense go?
– Mike Florio
Average Ranking: 24.67 (Last Week: 22.56)
Yeah, ouch. The Texans started the season as one of the Super Bowl favorites in the AFC, and now they'll be lucky to dig themselves out of the 20s by January. What are the chances that they even mount a comeback? Well, like SI's Conor Orr stated, they'll be getting quality players back from injury soon, and the 0-4 Tennessee Titans (the same team that kickstarted Houston's comeback last year) are up next. By comparison, that 1992 0-4 Chargers team that made the playoffs was led by QB Stan Humphries, WR Anthony Miller, RBs Ronnie Harmon, Marion Butts, (current Chiefs offensive coordinator) Eric Bienemy on offense, and DE Leslie O'Neal and LB Junior Seau on defense. A lot of big names on that team, but nothing like the endless line of pro-bowlers that Houston has on their starting lineup right now!
So, does that mean the Texans are more likely to make a comeback considering the star-power they have on both sides of the ball, or are they more likely to continue floundering since they've sunk this far down even with a great roster? Depends on if you'd rather see the glass half-full or half-empty. Personally, I have to believe that the Texans will turn it around as players like RT Braden Smith, WR Tank Dell, LB Henry To'oTo'o, and rookie DT Kayden McDonald gradually return to the field, so I'm rooting for a historic comeback!
What do you think, though? Are the Houston Texans primed to get their season back on track, or will this upcoming game in Nashville against the woebegone Titans be the ugliest showcase yet? Are the Texans in need of a new offensive or defensive coordinator, or even a new head coach before they can start winning again, or are you happy with the current coaching staff? Is this season truly over, or will we be talking about a historic return to form a few weeks from now? Get all of those prickly emotions out down in the comments below, I want to know your real thought on Nick Caley!
FVF Law expands Texas reach with new Houston office and attorney Bret Stanley
We Are Austinhttps://cbsaustin.com/features/we-are-austin/fvf-law-expands-texas-reach-with-new-houston-office-and-attorney-bret-stanley
Our friends and Austin-based injury attorneys at FVF Law have been devoted members of the Central Texas community for years, and now they're expanding their impact across the Lone Star State. The firm is opening a new Houston office and welcoming attorney Bret Stanley to the team.We Are Austin's Trevor Scott welcomed FVF Law founder Aaron von Flatern and attorney Bret Stanley to talk about the expansion, Stanley's experience, and what the new Houston presence means for the firm.Watch the full video above to me...
Our friends and Austin-based injury attorneys at FVF Law have been devoted members of the Central Texas community for years, and now they're expanding their impact across the Lone Star State. The firm is opening a new Houston office and welcoming attorney Bret Stanley to the team.
We Are Austin's Trevor Scott welcomed FVF Law founder Aaron von Flatern and attorney Bret Stanley to talk about the expansion, Stanley's experience, and what the new Houston presence means for the firm.
Watch the full video above to meet Bret Stanley and learn more about FVF Law's expansion into Houston.
Meet attorney Bret Stanley
For von Flatern, expanding FVF Law's reach also means finding the right people to represent the firm's approach in a new market.
He joined We Are Austin to introduce Stanley and explain why the team is excited to have him aboard.
“There are lawyers, and then there's people like the person sitting to my right, Bret Stanley, who's a lawyer who adds tremendous depth to our law firm. This is someone who has led litigation against some of the biggest companies in the world on the national stage.”
Stanley also shared more about his background, and what ultimately attracted him to FVF Law.
I've been practicing around 16 years and I've started litigating these mass torts multi district litigation. And and that is thousands of cases, as Arron said. And going through the process, it led me to doing a lot of litigation against gig economy companies, rideshare companies, specifically against Uber and Lyft and DoorDash and people like that, and been able to really learn their internal systems and processes and how the how they collect data and what they know and the risk that they're aware of and what we think they should share to the public."
Stanley knew that joning FVF Law would be the perfect next step in his professional journey.
“The people and the relationship, number one. I met Josh Fogelman there in undergrad, so I've known him for more than 20 years. I found out that FVF is exactly the place I wanted to be. The way that they treat their people internally, the way that they treat their clients, is what it's about. It's family with the employees. It's family with our clients.”
FVF Law heads to Houston
The addition of Stanley coincides with another milestone for the Austin-based firm: a new FVF Law office in Houston.
Von Flatern explained what the expansion means for FVF Law as it extends its presence beyond Central Texas and serves more people across the state.
“We're excited to be a part of something bigger than just Austin, and we love Austin. This is our home and it will always be our home. We're excited to have a real Houston office. We've got more scope and more depth."
The conversation also touches on education, something the firm emphasizes as part of its work with clients, and why helping people better understand the legal process remains important to the FVF team.
“It's really important to establish a relationship with your clients because they're on this path that they've never been on before. We've been down these paths to help them, and so we stand around them and lift them up.”
Visit FVF Law online to meet the team, learn more about the new Houston office, and find additional information.
45 Texas lawmakers back limits on data center water use
Andrea Slaydonhttps://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/09/29/texas-lawmakers-respond-to-data-center-questions-water-power-and-local-control/
Ten legislators plan bills to regulate data centers, including NDA limits and rate classesHOUSTON – As part of ENOUGH’s investigation into data centers, some viewers are asking where their lawmakers stand.We asked all 181 Texas representatives and senators four questions about what they are doing about issues concerning many Texans.45 lawmakers — about 25% — responded.Of those, all 45 said they support limiting water usage for data centers.RELATED: Al...
Ten legislators plan bills to regulate data centers, including NDA limits and rate classes
HOUSTON – As part of ENOUGH’s investigation into data centers, some viewers are asking where their lawmakers stand.
We asked all 181 Texas representatives and senators four questions about what they are doing about issues concerning many Texans.
45 lawmakers — about 25% — responded.
Of those, all 45 said they support limiting water usage for data centers.
RELATED:
All but one said they support requiring data centers to provide their own power.
Rep. Wes Virdell, R-Hill Country, said he worries about pollution and emissions if Texas requires data centers to generate their own power.
Ten lawmakers said they will author bills to regulate data centers in some way.
Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-El Paso, said she will push for regulating the use of nondisclosure agreements for data centers.
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said she is working on a bill to establish a separate electric rate class for data centers.
Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta said lawmakers file thousands of bills during each legislative session, but only a fraction become law.
“Just because they file a bill doesn’t mean anything. Push that bill. Make it happen. And that’s something that just doesn’t happen,” Sebesta said.
Sebesta wants more authority over data centers moving into Brazoria County.
“I’m a firm believer in local control. Firm believer. We are the government closest to the people. And I think on land use, those type of issues. Those need to be kept at the local level,” Sebesta said.
Five different lawmakers told ENOUGH they will push for counties and local leaders to have more authority over what happens in their own communities.
When Governor Greg Abbott was in Pasadena for a campaign stop, he said the same to our ENOUGH team.
“I want Texans who live in our communities to be comfortable in their own setting. Sometimes that will mean no data center next to them. Other times it may mean they welcome them in. It should be based on what local communities want.”
Some people believe Governor Abbott wanted data centers; but is only now pausing and auditing them because he is up for re-election in November.
ENOUGH asked him about that too.
“What do you say to Texans who say you welcomed data centers, said that Texas was going to be the epicenter of AI.. and now they see all of these new rules as posturing before the election?” asked ENOUGH reporter Amy Davis.
“The reality is there was no one in our legislature that recognized this as a pressing issue because they.. this happened so rapidly. One reason this happened so rapidly is because there’s no requirement to receive a permit or anything like that from the state of Texas. And so often times it’s done in the dark. And that’s another change that you can expect to see is no more building these data centers without the public knowing what is going on.”
It’s not entirely true that no one in the legislature recognized data centers as a pressing issue. Senator Molly Cook told ENOUGH she filed a bill last session that would have required data centers to meet minimum water conservation standards or lose any tax exemptions they have. If passed, it would taken effect in September 2025. Instead, the bill was referred to the senate finance committee- where it never received a hearing.
We will track these proposed bills to let you know if they are introduced and if they pass when the next legislature convenes in January.
RELATED:
The conversation isn’t over.
Have a question about a proposed or existing data center in your community?
Contact the ENOUGH TEAM on the KPRC 2 Help Desk!
Related information on data centers
Offshore data centers
Geothermal energy for data centers
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for data centers
Data centers with carbon capture (CCS)
The ENOUGH team wants to hear from you
Contact the ENOUGH TEAM on the KPRC 2 Help Desk.
More from ENOUGH is coming.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Houston food influencer claims he's in crosshairs for alleged $10K bribe
John-Henry Pererahttps://www.chron.com/food/article/houston-food-influencer-bobo-sushi-22466071.php
UPDATE: Oct. 7, 9:35 a.m. CTMaggie, the owner of Bobo Wraps & Rice Bowl, posted a video Wednesday morning, shortly after this story was published, to clarify that the unnamed influencer she had accused was not Thanh "Wayne" Dang."I was just sharing my experiences opening a restaurant for the first time. I wasn’t referring to Wayne, and he’s one of my favorite food creators. Creating content isn’t easy, and I hope everyone supports him," Maggie wrote.Maggie also s...
UPDATE: Oct. 7, 9:35 a.m. CT
Maggie, the owner of Bobo Wraps & Rice Bowl, posted a video Wednesday morning, shortly after this story was published, to clarify that the unnamed influencer she had accused was not Thanh "Wayne" Dang.
"I was just sharing my experiences opening a restaurant for the first time. I wasn’t referring to Wayne, and he’s one of my favorite food creators. Creating content isn’t easy, and I hope everyone supports him," Maggie wrote.
Maggie also said she will be using $10,000 to treat fans to free ice cream at her restaurant.
Thanh Dang, better known online as @dangitswayne and one of Houston's most popular food bloggers, says he's on a mission to clear his name and reputation after a supposed restaurant operator's video allegedly put him in the crosshairs.
The video in question came from "Maggie" of Bobo Wraps & Rice Bowl, a fast-casual restaurant near the Houston Galleria. Bobo opened in 2026 and has drawn significant viewership on Instagram and TikTok, thanks to videos posted by Maggie showcasing the restaurant's hibachi-style wraps and rice bowls, customizable boba drinks and sushi push pops. Maggie also posts videos detailing her business journey.
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In the video posted Monday, Maggie alleged that a male food influencer, who she did not name, threatened to criticize her restaurant unless she paid him $10,000 for a promotion.
"When I started Bobo, my goal was simple: to give people good food at a good price. So I turned him down, but what I didn't expect was what happened next," Maggie said. "I was told if I didn't work with him, he would make a video attacking Bobo, hurt my business and make it impossible for me to keep going."
The post's commenters heavily speculated that she was referring to Dang, who had posted a video review of Bobo on Oct. 1 and gave the restaurant a score of 7.4 out of 10. In the review, Dang criticized Bobo's signature sushi push pops, saying the rice lacked flavor and the roll had a clumpy, mushy texture.
"I mean, it's a fun idea, but this is not worth $11," Dang said.
Dang had other criticisms in his review, including the apparent messiness of a sushi taco and sliminess of tapioca balls in a bubble tea drink, though he complemented the flavor of several items at Bobo.
The 'audacity'
Dozens of commenters tagged Dang, prompting him to respond on social media. He vehemently denied trying to get Maggie or Bobo to pay him $10,000 for a positive review.
"The audacity of @bobobitesusa trying to spread lies about me is slander to the fullest," Dang wrote. "Any Defamation lawyers in Houston? Reach out to me."
Houston food blogger Shawn Singh, better known as @shawnthefoodsheep and mentioned by Dang in his response video, told Chron he supports Dang and believes Maggie and Bobo are using the moment to attract attention at Dang's expense.
"There's no one else she could be talking about," Singh said. "There's an easy solution to this. If she could have said, 'No, it wasn't Wayne,' that would have solved this entire issue. And do you want to know why [she hasn't]? Engagement."
Singh said the situation felt personal because he experienced something similar involving a restaurant in Spring. The owner posted a video criticizing influencers after two content creators visited and gave negative feedback. Singh and Kent Taylor, better known as @dinewithkent, were mentioned in the comments. The video gained traction, but Singh said the owner did not address the comments and clear his name until a month later.
Love of the game
The relationship between restaurants and social media creators isn't always so fraught. Jonathan Horowitz of Convive Hospitality Consulting told Chron that business owners can benefit from working with influencers, even sometimes paying for their services. It can be a low-cost, potentially more effective way to reach customers than broad-based marketing, he said.
This year, however, more restaurant owners have complained about requests for free meals and the high cost of promotional videos. Singh said the amounts creators charge can vary widely, from a complimentary meal or about $100 for a promotion to thousands of dollars for a dedicated video and additional usage rights, depending on the creator's audience.
But no one in Houston is charging $10,000 for a deal like that, Singh said—especially not someone like Dang, who he said is in it for the "love of the game."
"There's not much benefit to being a true reviewer like Wayne is online," Singh said. "Nobody wants to be negative online with a small business."
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Both Dang and Maggie have yet to respond to Chron's request for comment.
Singh said Maggie could clear up the situation by simply saying whether she was referring to Dang in her video.
"Maybe it's a simple misunderstanding, but I know how people work and how they get views online," Singh said. "All Maggie has to do is clarify … it would take five minutes: 'Oh, I see this comment. Hey, it's not Wayne.' Just don't harm that guy's name for no reason."
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