Constitutional Newbies.
With roughly 5.6% of registered voters voting, all 7 constitutional amendments passed with large margins.
Proposition 1: Provides a property tax exemption to certain partially disabled veterans or a surviving spouse.
Proposition 2: Would ease restrictions on taking out a home equity loan.
Proposition 3: The term of an appointee of the Governor, who has not been re-appointed, would end at the beginning of the next legislative session.
Proposition 4: Requires the courts to notify the office of the Attorney General when the state is sued, then requires the courts to wait 45 days before taking action.
Proposition 5: Allows the charitable foundations of professional sports teams to conduct raffles.
Proposition 6: Provides a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Proposition 7: Provides an exception that would allow financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, to conduct raffles.
Another retirement for the Texas congressional delegation.
Congressman Ted Poe (R-Humble) is the third Texan in Congress this week to announce his retirement. CD 2 includes parts of west Houston and northern suburban areas like Kingwood. To read more…
Texas’ first Director of Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation.
Kim Grabert has started as the state’s first Director of Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation, a position funded through a grant out of the Governor’s office. Grabert comes from Florida where she held a similar position as Statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Director for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Her work will include bringing stakeholders together to make sure that the survivors of trafficking receive the services they need over the entire continuum of care. To read more…
Only in Austin New Braunfels…
It’s the time of year for a short day trip to New Braunfels for Wurstfest, a 10-day Bavarian celebration! There’s plenty of food, music, dancing, and carnival fun. Wearing your dirndls and lederhosen are encouraged. Prosit! To read more…