Casinos, mental health and education are just some topics on Texas State Rep. Joe Deshotel Sr.’s mind as the start of the 86^th Legislative Session approaches Tuesday.

Deshotel, D-Beaumont, represents the 22^nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Jefferson and Orange counties.

He recently filed a casino bill that ties gaming to windstorm insurance coverage. He said this would be an uphill battle even though the funds are tied to windstorm insurance.

The bill calls for casino gaming in certain coastal areas, which include Pleasure Island in Jefferson County and in Galveston County as well as Nueces County. Another section of the bill pertains to greyhound and horse racing in Bexar and Harris counties. Deshotel tried unsuccessfully in 2015 to pass a casino bill.

He is also working on a bill on insurance for mental health.

“To cover a broader array of mental health issues and covered under regular insurance,” he said. “For example, like if you break an arm or you break a leg. You are covered the same way. It would have an effect on a lot of people. Of course there will be a lot of opposition from insurance.”

The idea behind the bill is because mental health has come to the forefront with school shootings and other mass shootings.

“It always comes to mental health issues with the person who committed the particular crime. The strong gun advocates say it’s a mental health issue. Now let them put their money where their mouth is and advocate for this.”

Language regulating the operation of game rooms is another topic for Desotel.

“I understand from the DA’s office they are having a big issue with Jefferson County having a different set of regulations. In some of the other cities there is a broader authority to control 8-liner games,” he said.

He is also interested in expanding prekindergarten to full time. Currently pre-k classes are half-day sessions.