Abbott, Patrick spar over tax relief

Gov. Greg Abbott late last week warned lawmakers to be prepared for several special sessions to pass a tax reform bill that he will accept, as well as a school voucher plan that failed to pass during the regular session. Abbott and Lt. Gov.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State Capital Texas House impeaches AG Paxton The Texas House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton Saturday, only the third time in the state’s history that has occurred.

Skunks in Low Places…

Far-out occurrences often are illuminated through the miracle of the Internet, sometimes resulting in findings that may, uh, need additional study. Such occurred recently in Dallas, where a homeowner was troubled by skunks who had burrowed their way under the foundation.

Leave it to the Fraternities…

Stephen F. Austin State University, newest member of The University of Texas System, has a storied basketball history, but in football— for a few seasons, at least— not so much.

HIGHLIGHTS

State Capital Fort Hood renamed after Korean, Vietnam war hero It’s official. Fort Hood, named for a high-ranking Confederate officer in the Civil War, has been renamed Fort Cavazos, in honor of native Texan Richard E. Cavazos, the country’s first Hispanic four-star general.

Sounds from Another Day…

Dilemma horns seemed to gore when I contemplated this week’s piece. I could have ridden (written?) off in either direction and still wound up with words to spare. Would I write about what I miss most—sights or sounds—that now seem permanently closeted in yesteryear?

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

Clock ticking on moving bills The clock is ticking on getting bills out of the House and to the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last week in a story in the Austin American- Statesman.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State Capital House OKs $4.5 billion for teacher pay raises The Texas House last Thursday passed two education-related bills, one that allocates $4.5 billion for teacher pay raises and another to increase the annual per-student base funding from $6,160 to $6,300 – a 2.3% increase.

Finally, I see…

My grandkids might understandably say of me, “Oh, Poppy, you are so yesterday.” And they are so right, clearly on target if they encase me with the “day before yesterday” crowd. Whatever, they often kid me about needless effort expended in simple written communication.

Roll Call, 60 Years Later…

It would be daunting for researchers half his age, but it didn’t stop Dr. Ray Van Cleef from reconnecting with his baseball players from six decades ago. The longtime Texas community college administrator couldn’t resist trying. Late in 2022, the search began.