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.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS Senate, House begin budget reconciliation process The Texas Senate unanimously approved a $308 billion two-year budget last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The next step is to reconcile that budget with one passed earlier by the Texas House.

Look, Up in the Sky!…

I’m sure Will Rogers was a friendly guy, even if the quote usually attributed to him has been taken out of context. During an interview, he mentioned prominent men he’d met, all of whom he liked. (Lesser guys weren’t referenced.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dueling tax proposals in the Lege The Texas House passed a bill promising $17 billion in tax relief, a measure that is at odds with the Senate’s tax break plan, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The House bill would lower by half a home’s cap on appraisal increases.

PASTOR’S CORNER

Think about how this world would be if most of the inhabitants became interested in living according to the law of God. I want to share what Psalms 19 says: “ The law of Jehovah is perfect”, that converts the soul; The testimony of Jehovah is faithful, that makes the simple wise”.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

The Texas Senate last week unanimously approved a $16.5 billion package to lower property taxes and inject billions of dollars into public schools. As reported by the Texas Tribune, the three separate bills require the state to send at least $5.

Higher Education in Cowtown…

Higher education gets news coverage in both mass and social media, and much, I’m sure, is true. Technology is changing it at warp speed, and the old descriptions we used to toss about no longer fit.

PASTOR’S CORNER

I was wearing my clerical, a black shirt, and clergy cross, after services at a church, while walking through a Wal-Mart in Vernon, Texas. The woman I was dating had a mischievous streak. She knows Lutherans do not call their pastors “Father.