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Texas House approves critical funding, tax cuts and testing reform

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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The last month of session can only mean one thing: weekend floor calendars. We had our first Saturday calendar this week, and I anticipate a few more in the near future as my colleagues and I work to ensure all of the state’s priorities are addressed during the next four weeks.

Volunteer Fire Departments

I was proud to support House Bill 7 as it passed the House this week. While the measure included funding and support for several state programs, the priority for me in this bill was guaranteeing funding for the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Grant Program. This program is vital to our communities in rural Texas, where brave men and women at VFDs work tirelessly to protect our homes and our property from tragedy. Rest assured that I will continue to fight for legislation that provides our VFDs with the resources they need– including this grant program.

Historic Tax Cuts

The House passed two bills earlier this week that aim to provide real and meaningful tax-relief to all Texans. The proposals, which I coauthored, are seeking to reduce the percentage of the state sales tax and the business franchise tax. Because the Legislature has never voted to reduce our state sales tax before, this would be a truly historic measure. This relief package would enable all Texans and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. The sales tax cut would move Texas from 12th to 26th on the list of states with the highest sales tax rates, while the current franchise tax rate would decrease by 25 percent.

Local Control on Writing Tests

I was extremely pleased to be able to support HB 1164 as it passed the House earlier this week. This measure seeks to further reform standardized testing by allowing Texas school districts to create their own writing assessment component for high school students taking English I and II exams. The move would ensure that a students’ writing ability is judged by a teacher who has seen their work over the course of a full year, instead of a state testing contractor who has limited time to grade a number of essays. This proposal would give school districts more local control and save the state $30 million over a two-year period.

District 57 Students in the State Spotlight

This week the House unanimously passed a resolution I authored honoring the Lufkin High School Boys Soccer Team on winning the 5A State Championship. Having our District 57 students compete and excel in academic and athletic competitions at the state level seems to be commonplace at this point; and we can and should attribute that success to the hard work and dedication of those students, along with their teachers, coaches, parents and the communities that support them. With the state UIL academic competition coming up, the state track meet a couple of weeks away, and baseball and softball playoffs around the corner, I expect to see plenty of our students and student-athletes in Austin in the coming weeks.

Reminders

For the convenience of constituents not wanting to travel far from home, the mobile office will continue its regular Wednesday travel schedule throughout the District.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at (936) 634-2762 or (512) 463-0508 if we can ever be of assistance. and remember that our door is always open

Lufkin to Hold Travel and Tourism Rally

By
Misty Boggs
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Tara Watkins-Watson, executive director the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Taylor Mulnix, LCVB administrative assistant, show off some of the signs they will be placing around town to mark National Travel and Tourism Week.

Local businesses that contribute to and benefit from the travel industry are invited to a National Travel and Tourism Week Rally Day reception at 10 am Tuesday, May 5, in the Community Room of the Angelina/Lufkin Chamber and Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau Offices, 1615 S Chestnut Drive. Tara Watson-Watkins, executive director of the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, encourages attendees to wear red to show support for tourism and its impact on the local economy.

“Travel and tourism has a big impact on our economy and our quality of life,” Watson-Watkins said. “Businesses like hotels, restaurants, event venues and stores see direct benefits, and then there are ripple effects throughout the community. Studies show that annual visitor spending continues to increase, so this is an industry that is still growing. For our Rally Day celebration, we want to acknowledge that impact and then share some ways we can all help support the travel industry here in Angelina County.”

National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition that was established by a congressional resolution in 1983 and serves to champion the power of the industry. The theme for this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week is “Travel is _________.” There are several ways to fill in the blank here in Angelina County, Watson-Watkins said, and the CVB will be placing signs around the community and sharing daily Facebook posts to raise awareness of the travel industry’s impact on the local economy.

“In Angelina County, travel is serious business,” Watson-Watkins said. “According to the latest studies, the travel industry supports 1,400 jobs in Angelina County. Visitors to Angelina County spent $132.1 million in 2013. That’s up from $49 million in 1990, a 4.4 percent increase.”

The Texas Forestry Association marked its 100th anniversary with a convention at Lufkin's Pitser Garrison Convention Center last October.
The Texas Forestry Association marked its 100th anniversary with a convention at Lufkin’s Pitser Garrison Convention Center last October.

Many of those visitors come for conventions and meetings. Lufkin hosted seven conventions last year, including the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, Texas Local Fire Fighters’ Pension Educational Conference and the Texas Forestry Association. In 2014, conventions accounted for $291,000 spent in the community and 3,700 room nights.

“We are growing our convention industry,” Watson-Watkins said. “This year we have already hosted the Conservation Fund’s annual board meeting, with over 75 in attendance from all across the U.S., and are getting ready to host Texas Big Game in two weeks.

“The newly renovated Convention Center is playing a big role in convention bids, and the community works with us to make that part of the tourism industry grow. For several of the conventions we have been able to host, local members of a regional or statewide organization have worked with us to present a bid for their annual convention. For example, the Texas Local Fire Fighters’ Retirement Act worked with our local TLFFRA chapter to help bid on and facilitate their conference here. We appreciate the opportunity to work with our community to build those relationships that help grow Lufkin tourism and business.”

Travel and tourism also contributes to the quality of life in Angelina County by supporting annual events many residents enjoy.

“Visitors have a big impact on our special events,” Watson-Watkins said. “When people come to Angelina County for a show at The Pines Theater or the Neches River Rendezvous or Lufkin’s Bistro, it encourages us to make those events bigger and better the next year. And the bigger and better the event, the more visitors we can attract. It’s a growth industry that helps us cultivate a stronger cultural community and more options for leisure and entertainment.”

Studies show more than one-third of visitors to Angelina County come to see family or friends, and Watson-Watkins says local travel professionals cater to those visitors with old-fashioned hospitality and an abundance of family-friendly entertainment.

“We have business travelers and vacationers, but most of our visitors come here because they know someone here,” Watson-Watkins said. “That’s why we treat every visitor like family. Because they are.”

ANGELINA COLLEGE JAZZ COMBO, ACC BIG BAND PERFORMING CINCO DE MAYO TRIBUTE

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Angelina College concert bands, featuring the ACC Big Band and the Swinging Roadrunner Jazz Band, will perform a Cinco de Mayo tribute at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, in AC’s Hudgins Hall. (AC Press photo)

The Angelina College Swinging Roadrunner Jazz Combo and the ACC Big Band will offer a special concert in honor of Cinco de Mayo at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at AC’s Hudgins Hall Auditorium.

The bands’ performance will include several Latin standards, along with some of the genre’s most recognizable music.

Director Larry Greer leads the program, with his musicians resurrecting selections from contemporary music and jazz standards, as well as big band standards immortalized by legendary performers.

The Swinging Roadrunner Jazz Combo’s will include “Speak No Evil” (W. Shorter); “So Nice” (M. Valle); “Little Sunflower” (F. Hubbard); “Night in Tunisia” (D. Gillespie); and “Mercy, Mercy” (J. Zawinul).

Members of the Jazz Combo are Corey House (Lufkin), alto sax; Maxi Veijo (Lufkin), tenor sax; Kolby Branton (Cushing), trumpet; Triston Conway (Lufkin), trombone; Jordan Linstrom (Huntington), bass; Josh Murray (Huntington), bass; Stewart Haas (Hudson), guitar; and Ethan Landrum (Hudson), drum set.

The ACC Big Band consists both local and student musicians. A 15-piece orchestra, the band is comprised of retired professional musicians, band directors, professionals from other fields and former students playing swing era tunes from the golden years of American music.

The ACC Big Band’s set includes several classics, including “Blue Bossa” (K. Dorham); “St. Thomas” (S. Rollins); “Softly as a Morning Sunrise” (S. Romberg); and “Mambo Hot” (V. Lopez).

Performers for the ACC Big Band include the following:

Saxophones – Michael Parrish (alto 1); Corey House (alto 2); Dixon Shanks (lead tenor); Amanda Brown (tenor 2); and Bethe Girardi (baritone). Trombones – Robert Shanks, Jeff Sorey (lead), Lavan Watts and Jimmy Battle (bass). Trumpets – Dwain Forsythe (lead), Ricky Gay, and Mel Miller. Rhythm Section – Eric Chinn (piano), J.D. Salas (bass), Larry Greer (guitar) and Joey Monk (drum set).

Tickets for the performance are $4 for adults and $3 for senior citizens, students and children.

For more information, contact the AC Fine Arts Division at (936) 633-5233.

TxDOT Illustrates How Small Trash Adds Up to Big, Expensive Mess on Texas Highways

By
Lee Allen Miller
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AUSTIN – Showing how even the smallest trash can add up to a very big mess, the Texas Department of Transportation today hosted an event on the Capitol lawn to launch several new public service announcements as part of its iconic “Don’t mess with Texas” anti-litter campaign. The first round of PSAs will feature TxDOT Executive Director LtGen Joe Weber, USMC (Ret), with subsequent announcements showcasing the sounds of country music legend Willie Nelson.

“As a proud Texan, I wanted to be out there letting people know that I don’t take kindly to people trashing my great state,” said LtGen Weber. “The amount of roadway litter we’re picking up comes at a great cost to Texans and it’s simply unacceptable. If everyone who travels our roadways did the right thing by throwing litter in trash cans instead of tossing it out their windows, we could save millions of dollars that could be channeled to other important needs.”

“The ‘Don’t mess with Texas’ campaign plays an important role in our state by reminding everyone that it takes all Texans to prevent litter along our roadsides,” added Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III. “Our state is known for its wide-open spaces and beautiful landscapes, and we don’t want that marred by trash. Let’s all do our part to keep Texas not only a great place to work, but a great place to live.”

The anti-litter campaign also will feature new television and digital PSA spots that show a small, seemingly harmless ball of trash tossed from the window of a pickup truck traveling a country road. As Willie Nelson croons “Beautiful Texas,” the little ball of trash rolls like a West Texas tumbleweed, growing larger and larger as it moves through fields of bluebonnets, small town main streets and across the many beautiful landscapes of Texas. Finally, the ball of trash grows into a huge, menacing sphere that rumbles across Austin’s Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and onto the Capitol lawn.

Joining Nelson in the campaign will be a host of celebrities taking “selfies” while wearing “Don’t mess with Texas” T-shirts and then posting on their far-reaching social media channels. Dude Perfect and Austin Wayne Self were the first two celebrities to throw their social media voices behind the “Don’t mess with Texas” campaign. More than 20 other celebrities have committed to joining in the coming weeks. Additionally, TxDOT invites all Texans to share “selfie” photos and videos of their efforts to support “Don’t mess with Texas” anti-litter efforts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube using the hashtag #dontmesswithtexas.

Nearly a half-billion pieces of visible litter pile up along state-maintained highways each year, costing taxpayers $35 million to clean up. Small trash, including napkins, fast food wrappers and cigarette butts make up 70 percent of the litter found along Texas roads.

With the state’s population rapidly growing, the “Don’t mess with Texas” campaign reminds new and long-time Texans that littering not only is unsightly, but also is unlawful. Fines for littering range from $500 to $2,000.

Millard’s Crossing to Host Front Porch Music Festival

By
Misty Boggs
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Photo by Millard's Crossing

Millard’s Crossing will host a Front Porch Music Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The historic village, located at 6020 N. Street in Nacogdoches, Texas, will present live music from blues to bluegrass and will have food vendors on hand. Admission for the event is $5 for adults and $4 for children. Coolers are allowed on premises for $10.

Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy entertainment on three stages.

For more information, please visit www.millardscrossing.org or call 936-564-6631.

TFA Presents Scholarship at 2015 State Woodland Clinic

By
Misty Boggs
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Jacy Darby receives the High Point Individual Winner award and scholarship at 2015 State Wood Clinic held April 22, 2015 at Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest. Betty Zimmerman Chair of the Council, far right, presented the plaque and $1,000 scholarship to the Big Sandy ISD senior.

The Texas Forestry Association’s Forest Landowners Council presented a $1,000 scholarship to Jacy Darby, high point individual winner of the 2015 State Woodland Clinic held at the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest near Nacogdoches, Texas on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.

The daughter of two Agriculture teachers at Big Sandy ISD, Darby is hoping the scholarship paves the way to follow in her parents’ footsteps. “I will be graduating when my parents are planning to retire,” she said, “and I hope that I can become an Ag teacher at the same school.”

The competition is set up by the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and is comprised of several events that include tree identification, tree measurement, thinning, wood products and compass and pacing. Students advance to the Woodland Clinic after winning in their local Woodland Clinics, which are supported by volunteers from the Soil and Water Conservation districts, who also provided additional support for the State Woodland Clinic.

Also volunteering for the clinic were members of the Texas A&M Forest Service and the U. S. Forest Service.

“This contest has been around since 1957 and is an effort to introduce students to the art and science behind forestry and the importance of properly managing our woodlands and natural resources,” Mary Webb-Marek of NRCS said. “This contest is a great opportunity for these students to interact with professionals in natural resources and perhaps even find their future calling.”

Awards were also presented to the 4H and FFA teams that came from all across Texas to participate in the clinic.

Winners of the 4H team round are Angelina County #1, 1st place; Angelina County #2, 2nd place; Cass County #1, 3rd place; Cass County #2, 4th place; San Jacinto, 5th place; Trinity County #2, 6th place; and Trinity County #1, 7th place.

Winners of the FFA Team round include Darby’s team, Harmony #1 in 1st place; Central Heights #1, 2nd place; Harmony #2, 3rd place; Central Heights #2, 4th place; and Warren #1, 5th place.

Other high-point individuals include: Ryan Gonyeau, Harmony #2, 2nd place; Payton Gray, Simms #1, 3rd place; Jacob Mitchell, Warren #1, 4th place; Tucker Reid, Central Heights #2, 5th place; Andrew Bobo, Central Heights #2, 6th place; P R Johnson, Central Heights #1, 7th place;

Lane Smith, West Sabine, 8th place; Kerry Gonyeau, Harmony #1, 9th place; and Zach Morgan, Rusk #1, 10th place.

The top three teams from FFA and 4H will proceed to the Regional Woodland Clinic on Friday, May 1, 2015 held at Wright Patman Lake near Texarkana, Texas.

Mobilegeddon in the Texas Forest Country

By
Lee Allen Miller
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For the past week or so, we have been watching the Google mobile friendly update, a new Google algorithm that launched a week ago, aimed at significantly changing the mobile search results to give preference to mobile ready web sites over non mobile ready web sites.

But a week after the launch, has it really been such a significant update? Thus far, not really, but . . .

Google did confirm in press reports that the roll out began on Tuesday, April 21st. Some actually began noticing changes in the mobile results as early as Wednesday, April 22nd. But those shifts were not really significant.

MSGPR is  tracking the update and for the most part, they are not seeing huge shifts in the Google mobile ranking algorithm, just yet. We know it can take over a week, maybe even two weeks, to fully roll out. So maybe we just need to wait longer?

Check and see if your website or your favorite community web is compliant – Click here to find the test page.

Governor Abbott Directs Texas State Guard To Monitor Operation Jade Helm 15

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Following discussions aimed at ensuring Texans are fully informed on Operation Jade Helm 15, Governor Greg Abbott today met with Major General Gerald “Jake” Betty, Commander of the Texas State Guard, and directed him to monitor the Operation.

Governor Abbott directed General Betty to provide regular updates to the Governor’s Office to ensure that Texans’ “safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed” during the eight-week training period from July 2015 – September 2015.

Read Governor Abbott’s full directive to General Betty here.

According to the U.S. Military: Operation Jade Helm 15 is a planned military exercise that will be led by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and will include personnel from the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Green Berets), U.S. Navy SEALS, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, USMC Marine Special Operations Command, USMC Marine Expeditionary Units, the 82nd Airborne Division and civilian interagency partners. This Operation will take place over an eight-week period beginning in July of 2015 in locations across the State of Texas and neighboring states New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.

Grooms: Tips to Survive the Big Day

By
Lee Allen Miller
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PHOTO by Harbuck & Co.

There’s an endless stream of advice out there for brides-to-be — from insights into gown trends to leads on finding the best photographer. But grooms, who are more involved than ever these days in the wedding planning process, may have their own set of worries. Being prepared can keep the pressure of the big day at bay, say experts.

“Your wedding day involves hundreds of moving parts. But putting things in perspective and leaning on close friends, family and hired professionals can help you stay calm and happy,” says author Eric San Juan, whose new book, “Stuff Every Groom Should Know,” offers all the skills needed to get from “yes” to “I do.”

Whether you’ve been a best man three times in the past or you’re new to the wedding game entirely, these tips from San Juan can help you survive your own big day.

• Be a well-groomed groom: Go beyond your normal grooming routine. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion and you should look the part. Consider a manicure, ensure your suit or tux is tailored to fit you perfectly. Get a haircut, trim your nose hair. Looking impeccable on your wedding day is crucial.

• Melt cold feet: Even the most laid back guy can turn into a wreck once the reality of the big day settles in. Calm your nerves by talking to your best man, having a drink — as in just one drink, and projecting confidence.

• Essentials for your pocket: Carrying these essentials with you can help you get through the day-of emergencies: aspirin, your phone, numbers essential for the wedding (such as vendors, drivers and caterers), cash, a stain remover pen, camera, breath mints, handkerchief, lip balm, and of course, the ring.

• Master the meet and greet:  You can’t avoid small talk on your wedding day. Consider a greeting line so you can get all your hi-and-thank-yous over in one fell swoop. If your better half is the charming one, let her take the lead. Circulate early. The cocktail hour is the perfect time to do a quick circuit of the room. Remember, you don’t need to dwell in any one conversation. You have a built-in excuse to exit a conversation early — “I should really make my way around the room,” — is always a legitimate exit line.

• Savor the wedding night: Avoid the after party. Allow yourselves to bask in your first hours alone together. You’ll never have this night with her again.

To take an active role in making your wedding day possible, you can learn more about San Juan’s new book at www.quirkbooks.com.

Still feeling nervous? “In the United States alone, over 2.5 million guys every year manage to plan and execute one of these celebrations,” says San Juan. “Remember, you really are not alone.”

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Will Your Home Withstand Storm Season? Six Tips to Help You Prepare

By
Statepoint
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PHOTO SOURCE: (c) hroephoto - Fotolia.com

Year after year, Americans from Tornado Alley to the Gulf Coast to the metropolises of the Eastern Seaboard witness storms that cause millions in damage and loss of life. However, no matter where you live, or what type of extreme weather you may face, there are things you can do to protect your home and family from the worst.

“When it comes to resilient design planning, the most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. A few quick and easy adjustments can keep you safe,” says Greg Beste, member of the American Institute of Architects Disaster Assistance Committee and Project Management Director, IVI Assessment Services, a CBRE Company.

Beste offers some storm season advice:

• Document your home — before disaster strikes. Grab your smartphone and take photos of your home now, inside and out, covering the foundation and all interior and exterior spaces. At best, you’ll have a nice keepsake; at worst, a visual documentation that can be used for an insurance claim in case of disaster. You can also share the images with your insurance company right away, to add to their files for future reference.

• Be an expert on your house. How old is your home? What type of framing does it have? When was the roof last repaired or replaced? These are questions you should know the answers to, as they will dictate what design changes should be made.

• Make fixes easy, inexpensive and relevant. For example, are high winds a major worry where you live? Add an extra layer of protection by swapping out the shingles on your roof for a heavier material, or secure the roof sheathing with a more wind-resistant nailing pattern, using an extra box or two of nails. Know where your home is weakest; those spots are the first places to shore up in defense.

• Communicate your building goals. If you’re working with an architect to build or retrofit your home, make sure that he or she understands the importance of resiliency. Even more importantly, your contractor should feel comfortable executing these goals. Communication at every step is the key.

• Safe rooms are not a cause for panic. A safe room doesn’t have to be high-tech. With the right design and construction, your mud room, laundry area or even a powder room can be a safe haven in case of disaster.

• Design beyond code. Building codes are the minimum standard and in many cases, have not been updated to reflect the current reality. If you live in a particularly vulnerable area, an architect can advise on additional measures to take — for instance, in coastal areas, building a foot higher than the minimum flood zone would indicate is recommended.  Resources like www.architectfinder.aia.org can help you connect with the information and individuals you need.

Don’t just wonder if you’ve done enough to prepare for storm season. Take action to keep your home and family safe.

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