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AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott Mar. 29 held a press conference at Hamshire-Fannett Elementary School in Beaumont on expanding broadband access across Texas. The Governor was joined by Speaker Dade Phelan, Representative Trent Ashby, and Hamshire-Fannett ISD Superintendent Dwaine Augustine to discuss the importance of reliable broadband for education, business, and health care. Representative Ashby is the author of broadband legislation in the House that would create a state broadband office and a comprehensive broadband plan for Texas.
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Playing cards with my two young grandchildren during their Midland spring break, I take time between sibling rivalry to hear what the obviously perturbed local radio personality is emotionally expressing to her listeners: “....an estimated 1,000! Brought in by bus around 2 a.m. this morning, a near 1,000 migrant minors were taken to an unknown Midland facility to be temporarily housed during this migrant crisis.”
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AUSTIN - After an hour of emotional debate, the Texas Senate Mar.17 unanimously approved Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst’s SB 25, aimed at strengthening visitation rights for loved ones in long-term care facilities. During COVID-19, many Texas residents in nursing homes and similar settings were not allowed to maintain contact and personal visits with friends and family for months during public health emergency.
Read moreAUSTIN - With a year passing since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Texas, State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services has filed a legislative package to improve the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response, calling for more transparency and increased legislative oversight for any future event.
Read moreFEMA and state officials are warning consumers: After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves, and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. Pricegouging, door-to-door bogus contractors, and fake charities are common scams to watch for. Consumers should report any suspicious activity, online, to FEMA’s Fraud Tipline at FEMAOCSO-TIPLINE@FEMAdotDHSdotGOV, or TEXASATTORNEYGENERALdotGOV.
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Arthur D’Andrea, the chair and sole remaining member of the Public Utility Commission, resigned late last week at the request of Gov. Gregg Abbott. D’Andrea pledged to remain on the PUC until Abbott names a replacement. In the announcement Abbott said in part, “Texans deserve to have trust and confidence in the Public Utility Commission, and this action is one of many steps that will be taken to achieve that goal.”
Read more“Nobody reads the newspaper anymore.” A dear friend of mine once looked me square in the eyes and said that.
Read moreWith state lawmakers immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic response and Texas’ electricity failures, the public’s access to information must be at the forefront of the Legislature’s actions. Information allows citizens to watch over their government, to speak out and to ask questions.
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