State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalTexas farmers concerned over growing trade warTexas farmers are voicing growing concerns about tariffs being enacted by President Trump adversely affecting their ability to sell agricultural goods overseas, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Mort in Mourning...

Taxation without representation is tyranny. Though it’s hard to nail down who initially coined this statement, it was the hue and cry of “British Americans” when they fought during the American Revolution 260 years ago.

Skyward with LUV...

Odds of brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright constructing, then flying, the world’s first powered aircraft in 1903—and Southwest Airlines’ founding what would become one of the world’s leading airlines 64 years later—were about the same.Most figured the odds to be slim and none.And most were wrong….

PASTOR’S CORNER

“ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”2 Corinthians 5:21 “Insufficient Funds.” Have you ever received a notice from your bank with these words on them? I’m not sure if banks send them out anymore.

HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalHouse unveils its voucher versionTexas House members filed a bevy of education bills last week, including a proposed $8 billion investment in public education and a voucher bill that ties the amount of money spent for private schooling to the dollar amount provided to public schools.

Mort and the Rumor Mill...

Uncle Mort doesn’t own a smartphone, and only recently found a well-worn flip phone for $10 on eBay. Neither does my ancient uncle own a computer, claiming he’d never remember where the off/on switch is, or how to use it should the screen magically light.

A Quarter for Your Thoughts?...

Economists have suggested for years that we’d be better served if the U.S. Mint ceased turning out pennies—the nation’s lowest denominational coin. Though some 140 billion pennies remain in circulation— many in jars, under sofa cushions, on sidewalks or playgrounds— their demise will be gradual.

HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalVoucher bill passes Senate, arrives in HouseA bill to implement school vouchers in Texas sailed through the Senate largely on party lines last week and now awaits consideration in the House, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

A Hat That Stays Put...

Commentary by My aged Uncle Mort admitted the other day that he feels like it’s time for him to re-enter the stock market, and this time, “brimming with confidence.”He swore off trying to out-guess the market in the late 1990s.Mort said he lumped all of his investments into “sweet chariot stocks.

Texas Senate Review

SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES SCHOOL CHOICEThe Senate Committee on Education K-16 approved a plan to create education savings accounts to pay for non-public education services with state revenue, moving forward on Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s top priority for the 89th session.