Home Blog Page 530

Special Session Review with Rep. Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
-
0

As students once again fill the hallways and classrooms of schools across the state, Texas lawmakers are finally making their way home after a laborious month in Austin. I’m pleased to report that the Legislature took action on a number of issues that will positively impact all Texans. After 29 days, a total of 12 bills were sent to the Governor’s desk, all of which have now been signed into law. In that regard, I want to provide you with a brief recap of the Special Session.

Special Session Wrap-Up

If you’ve been paying attention to what’s going on at the Capitol during the special session, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about property tax reform. I was encouraged by some of the conversations I had in the weeks leading up to the special session about the opportunity we had to pass something in this area. After weeks of debate and deliberation, the Texas House voted overwhelmingly to reduce by 25 percent the threshold wherein an election must be held before a local taxing entity may increase property taxes. The House also added an important amendment to create a more transparent appraisal process by providing more information to local taxpayers about their property taxes on their annual appraisal notices. Ultimately, this measure was sent to the Senate where it failed to pass because of stalled negotiations between the House, Senate and the Governor. Looking forward, I feel confident the Legislature will continue the dialogue as we set our sights towards addressing this issue in subsequent sessions.

Beyond reform, as I’ve continued to maintain, I believe the best way to achieve true property tax relief is by fixing our broken and inequitable school finance system. While the House approved a measure that would help achieve this goal during the regular session, the bill ultimately did not pass the Senate. Fortunately, we were given another opportunity in the special session to work with our counterparts on a compromise – House Bill 21. Though the bill does not include all of the provisions we wanted, this legislation will ultimately serve to benefit public school teachers and students by restoring a significant amount of money to those districts qualifying for Additional State Aid for Tax Relief (ASATR) and providing over $200 million to help alleviate some of the financial burden placed on our retired teachers through TRS-Care. It also creates a School Finance Commission to make recommendations to the next Legislature on what a new school funding system might look like.

All told, the Texas House demonstrated a thoughtful approach to passing meaningful, conservative legislation we felt was in the best interest of our state. As a result of this special session, the citizens of Texas will recognize stronger pro-life laws and private property rights, as well as increased protection of the ballot box, and the continuance of a number of state agencies that provide critical services to our citizens.

Reminders

The mobile office is on the road in August and looks forward to seeing you around the district! Here’s the remainder of this month’s schedule: August 23rd from 9-11am at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can help you in any way. Our district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

Talk Safety With Your Student

By
Rhonda Oaks
-
0

I recall a few years ago on the first day of school when several Lufkin area school superintendents either rode a bus or walked with a group of walkers through a busy traffic area in an effort to help promote safety. I remember thinking they were brave to do either.

I walked and rode my bike to Trout Elementary through fourth grade and then rode the bus to Hudson ISD until my junior year. The last two years of high school my mother threatened me within an inch of my life if I put a dent in her car or rode with a friend and decided not to go to school. Well, I never put a dent in her car, but the antics my best friend and I pulled when I rode with her to wherever should have made the history books of what not to do in high school. Somehow she graduated at the top of our class and I graduated somewhere near the bottom. In fact, my high school English teacher sat behind my parents on graduation night and according to them, said a hearty ‘amen’ when the principal called my name. It took a village. I think it still does.

As school begins with a new year of experiences for parents, students and educators, I urge you to have the talk. Not that talk, but the talk that could save their lives – the safety talk. I hope parents and educators talk until they are blue in the face about safety and what to do and what not to do when it comes to getting back and forth to school and how to drive through a school zone.

I urge parents with students who walk to school to walk with them at least one day. You will experience what they have to deal with daily. Spot hazards they might not see and use the time as a teaching experience. Remind them to walk off the roadway and not in the lane of traffic and to never cross the road anywhere but at a crosswalk.

If you have students who ride a bicycle to school, tell them to ride with the traffic and obey all traffic laws. Never use a cell phone and take the ear buds out of their ears. This is no time to be deaf to the sounds around them.

If you have bus riders, make them aware of drivers who might not stop for them to cross the road while entering or exiting a bus. Tell them to never assume a driver sees them and to always make eye contact before crossing in front of the vehicle.

In 2015, Texas recorded 683 vehicle crashes in school zones. Four of them occurred in the nine-county Lufkin District. One is too many. Remind yourselves as drivers and make your student drivers aware of the laws in a school zone, the speed limits and the fact that cell phone use is illegal.

If you drive near a school you will encounter walkers, cyclists and buses. Please obey all driving laws, because we can’t afford to lose a single child. Have a safe and memorable school year.

DETCOG Holding August Board Meeting in Trinity

By
Ezra McMullen
-
0

The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The board will meet at YMCA Camp
Cullen in Trinity, Texas. A luncheon will be served at noon, with the board meeting to follow.

Welcoming members and guests to Trinity County will be Trinity County Judge Doug

Page; Trinity Mayor Billy Slaughter; Trinity County Commissioners, Grover (Tiger) Worsham, Richard (Rich) Chamberlin, Neal Smith and Jimmy Brown; Trinity County Attorney Joe Warner Bell and Trinity County Minority Representative Ralph Bennett.

DETCOG President, member Lufkin City Council, Lynn Torres would like to extend an invitation to meeting to all interested parties. Anyone needing information concerning the meeting may contact the DETCOG office in Jasper at (409) 384-5704 ext. 5254.

SH 7 East Speed Limit Recommended To Commissioners

By
Rhonda Oaks
-
0

LUFKIN – After the completion of a recent speed study and reevaluation on a portion of roadway located on SH 7 East, TxDOT is recommending for approval the speed limit be lowered from 75 mph to 65 mph.

The section of SH 7 East that will be affected includes .3 miles east of SL 224 in Nacogdoches to Martinsville. The change also includes just east of Martinsville and continues on SH 7 through San Augustine County and will end at the Center city limitsin Shelby County.

TxDOT is required to evaluate speed limits periodically every five to 10 years. Speed studies are also conducted if requests are received on roadways that have not recently been evaluated. TxDOT received several requests for a new speed study on SH 7. As a result of that speed study, the Lufkin District is submitting for approval the recommendation that the speed limit be lowered.

A speed study consists of radar samples, an accident analysis and a review of existing roadway conditions. TxDOT uses a method referred to as the 85th percentile to determine speed limits. This method represents the speed at which the majority of drivers are traveling at or below for a particular section of highway. The 85th percentile is determined by radar samples of free flowing vehicles on an average week day during fair weather. The accident analysis consists of a review of the accident history over the past three years plus the current year. A thorough review of the accident history will reveal any patterns if present.

If the speed study reveals a reduction in speed is justified, recommendations are submitted for approval. The Texas Transportation Commission decides speed limits in Texas and if approved a minute order is issued establishing the new speed limit.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Nichols Says Special Session a Success for Public Schools

By
Senator Robert Nichols
-
0

Austin — On Tuesday, the 85th Legislative, First Called Special Session came to a close after significant legislation to benefit public schools in Texas was passed.

“The House and Senate came together to provide relief and necessary funding for our school districts and retired teachers,” said Senator Robert Nichols. “Right before the Special, I met with superintendents, retired teachers and educators from across Senate District 3 to discuss what they wanted me to focus on during this session. The passing of House Bill 21, which I was proud to support, addresses many of their issues.”

After the Texas Legislature cut school property taxes by a third in 2005, the Additional State Aide for Tax Reduction (ASATR) was created to ensure school districts would not be harmed by the cuts. However, the Legislature later decided this program should end in September 2017. House Bill 21 provides a hardship grant to those schools whose budget will be most affected by the loss of ASATR for the 2018-2019 school year.

Currently, schools districts with 1,600 students or less, covering under 300 square miles, receive fewer state funds than districts with an equal number of students, spanning more than 300 square miles. This arbitrary size designation puts hundreds of school districts at a financial disadvantage. House Bill 21 begins a phase out of the penalty to ensure all small schools receive the same funding formula. Nichols has filed legislation for the past two session to do away with this punitive small schools formula. Approximately 65 of the 101 school districts within Senate District 3 will be positively affected by this formula change.

“Creating an equal multiplier in the formula across the board will provide many small schools with additional funding, which will go a long way in helping to improve the education of our students,” said Nichols. “Education is and always will be the most important issue the Legislature considers, and we must ensure we are helping students achieve their future goals.”

Funding for TRS-Care to help lower the deductibles by half for retired teachers under 65 years of age, and reduce the premiums for retirees 65 years and older was also included into House Bill 21. $40 million was also allocated to create grants for Dyslexia and Autism education.

Other legislative highlights include:

Senate Bill 17 continues the Maternal Morbidity Task Force

Senate Bill 5 helps prevent voter fraud by widening the definition of mail-in ballot and creates a state jail felony for certain voter fraud offenses

Senate Bill 6 requires an election or petition process by the residents who could be annexed in a county of 500,000 people or more and similar pathway for small counties

“Serving the people of Senate District 3 has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I look forward to continuing to work for them as we begin to travel around the district and continue our work in the interim,” said Nichols.

Senator Nichols, first elected to the Senate in 2007, represents 19 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery county.

AC Basketball Team, Coach Welcome Students Back To School

By
Misty Boggs
-
0

 

As some area students returned to school this week, a few were in for a surprise.

At top right, Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle greets Kurth Primary students Wednesday with a high five on the school’s first day. Manary introduced each child by announcing, “Now starting for the Roadrunners…” and the kids walked through a line of high fives on their way into the school.

 

From the top left down, Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary (left), along with Roadrunners Jay Head (1) and Kevin Norman (13), greet Kurth Primary students Wednesday on the school’s first day.

All photos: AC Press Photo/Gary Stallard

Angelina College Ladies Soccer Practice Gets Underway

By
Misty Boggs
-
0

Angelina College head soccer coach Freddy Drago addresses players during Tuesday’s first day of practice. The Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners open the season at home on Wednesday, Aug. 23 against Louisiana College at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.

On bottom left, Angelina College’s Kaela Stripling tries to maneuver around teammate Alexis Barrientez during Tuesday’s first day of practice. The Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners open the season at home on Wednesday, Aug. 23 against Louisiana College at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.

On the right, Angelina College’s Leslie Saenz uses her footwork in a drill during Tuesday’s first day of practice. The Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners open the season at home on Wednesday, Aug. 23 against Louisiana College at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.

All Photos: AC Press photo/Gary Stallard

 

Wildlife Seminar set for Friday Aug 18

By
Cary Sims
-
0

This Friday at the Angelina County Extension office landowners interested in the management of wildlife will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals how they can better manage for white tailed deer.

Sessions for this event include deer necropsy, prescribed fire, Managed Land Deer Program updates, antler restrictions data, and methods to deter feral hogs and beavers.

A necropsy is similar to an autopsy in that whitetail deer enthusiasts can study harvested deer and determine more of the overall health than what can be observed from a visual appraisal.

Prescribed fire is a powerful and excellent tool that when used correctly can have tremendous benefit to wildlife and native plant species. Fire was a naturally occurring part of our local ecosystem for eons. Today we are so good at preventing and stopping destructive structural and wild fires that many don’t even know that it can be of tremendous benefit.

Representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be on hand provide updates on the Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP). The MLDP is ended to foster and support sound management and stewardship of native wildlife and wildlife habitats on private lands. Deer harvest is an important aspect of habitat management and conservation.

Landowners enrolled in either the MLDP Harvest Option or Conservation Option are able to take advantage of extended season lengths and liberalized harvest opportunities.

Additionally, TPWD will share results from the ten years of data that they’ve accumulated on the antler restrictions that came into effect in 2006. Antler restrictions provided a base management across property lines to allow for older bucks, improve the age structure of the whitetail deer herd and increase hunter opportunity.

Lastly, we all know feral hogs and beavers can cause great destruction to property. Hogs will tear up crops, fields, and even residential landscapes by rooting through it. Beavers will cut down younger trees and use them to build their dams which can then cause flooding. We will be looking at ways to legally and effectively control them.

Two Continuing Education Units will be given for those agricultural producers with a pesticide license. For landowners with a Private Pesticide License from the Texas Department of Agriculture, they are required to get 15 CEUs every 5 years to maintain their license.

To RSVP call 409-379-4831 by Wednesday, Aug 16. You will pay at the door. Cost is $10 per person.

We encourage anyone with an interest in benefiting white tailed deer and other wildlife to participate. Both hunters and non-hunters will benefit.

Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful Updates Recycling and Illegal Dumping Information, Seeks Input from Community

By
Ezra McMullen
-
0

[NACOGDOCHES, TX]—Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful and the City of Nacogdoches will roll out a new recycling and illegal dumping brochure and online database in the fall of 2017. These tools will provide information related to current recycling options in Nacogdoches as well as information about illegal dumping.

“This update will bring the most current information together in one place, making it easier to know where to go to recycle and what can be recycled,” said Cheryl Bartlett, Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful Board Member.

Recycling options are different in every city and can change with business turnover, volunteer involvement and nonprofit funding. Some examples include technology recycling through Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful, glass recycling supported by C&R Kutt Bottles, and stores like Staples and Lowe’s that accept specific types of recycled materials. Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful Executive Director Katie Blevins is calling for help from the community to update the recycling information online and to be printed in the brochure.

“Individual responsibility is important to Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful as an organization. It’s the link in our mission statement between recycling, beautification and litter abatement,” Blevins said.”We want the community to have a chance to share knowledge about new opportunities and changes to local recycling options.”

In addition to recycling promotion, illegal dumping will also be a topic included in the brochure and online at keepnacbeautiful.org/recycle. “Our goal is to educate the community about what qualifies as illegal dumping and provide a method for citizens to report illegal dumping when they see it,” said Cary Walker, City of Nacogdoches Public Works Manager.

Contact Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful by phone at 936-560-5624, email at info@keepnacbeautiful.org, or Facebook @keepnacbeautiful before August 20 to report new recycling opportunities or changes.

Donate to support enhancements to the recycling program in Nacogdoches. Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes waste reduction, litter management and beautification throughout Nacogdoches County. If you or your organization would like to volunteer or partner with KNB, email info@keepnacbeautiful.org <mailto:info@keepnacbeautiful.org> or visit this link.

TxDOT Issues Safe Driving Tips Near Schools, Buses

By
Rhonda Oaks
-
0

LUFKIN – As the new school year begins, TxDOT is reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to exercise caution in and around school zones and school buses.
Schools in the nine-county Lufkin District are set to begin in coming days and the safety of all school children and motorists is important. Driver inattention could cause an unsafe condition on the roadway, whether it involves pedestrians, those on bicycles or school buses.

In 2015, there were 683 vehicle crashes in Texas school zones.

“We are urging all motorists to pay attention and follow the law as they drive near school zones and school buses,” said Rhonda Oaks, Lufkin District public information officer. “The statistics for 2016 are not yet available but in 2015 the Lufkin District recorded four vehicle crashes in school zones. Even one is too many. Everyone should remain alert.

Drivers should slow down and pay close attention when entering a school zone.”

Safety tips for drivers to remember include:

Obey the speed limit in school zones. Violators face fines up to $200.

Cell phone use is unlawful in an active school zone and violators face fines up to $200.

Drop off and pick up children in designated areas, not in the street.

Be alert to children who might dart across a street or in between vehicles to and from school.

Safety tips for pedestrians include:

Parents and children walking to school should be alert and cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks.

Always walk on sidewalks if they are available.

Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume the driver sees you.

Obey all crossing guards.

Safety tips for cyclists include:

Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Don’t be distracted by electronic devices.

Watch for vehicles in all directions.

When driving near a school bus, Texas law requires motorists to stop in all directions on an undivided roadway for flashing red school bus lights. Once the bus begins moving and the red flashing lights have stopped, motorists can resume driving. Violatorscould face fines of up to $1,000.

Additional information on school safety can be found on TxDOT.gov. Motorists can find traffic updates and closures on drivetexas.org or TxDOT Lufkin on Twitter.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

1...529530531...750Page 530 of 750