News from August 2024
TASA selects five honor school boards for excellence in education
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 8, 2024
Five school boards from across Texas have been selected as Honor School Boards as part of the 2024 TASA School Board Awards. Each year, the program recognizes outstanding Texas school boards for their commitment and service that has positively impacted Texas public school students.
From Child Safety to Education Outcomes: Senator Menendez's Commitment to Texas and the Future
By Lone Star Standard reports | Aug 8, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Senator Jose Menendez, representing SD-26 (Bexar County).
TPPF: Dripping Springs School Board member says consultant told TASB members to weaponize teacher pay
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 8, 2024
Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) Trustee Rob McClelland informed the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) that a consultant with close ties to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) advised school board members to use teacher pay as a strategy to motivate educators during the legislative session and influence their voting behavior. McClelland stated he "was not going to subject myself to that stupidity."
Texas Cattle Feeders Association announces winners of 2024 Junior Fed Beef Challenge
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 8, 2024
On July 26, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon hosted the 2024 Junior Fed Beef Challenge. More than 50 students from third to twelfth grades, representing the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) region, participated.
Fort Bend County school board trustee Hanan elected to interim position on TASB board
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 8, 2024
The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors has elected Fort Bend Independent School District’s (FBISD) Angie Hanan to an interim position on the TASB Board. Hanan will be representing TASB Region 4, Position G.
Local real estate expert speaks out against Muleshoe Recreation Area expansion
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 7, 2024
Monty Edwards, a farm and ranch real estate broker and auctioneer in Lamb County, is raising concerns over the federal government’s proposed expansion of the Muleshoe Recreation Area in West Texas. According to Edwards, the initiative could have negative economic impacts on local landowners, similar to past federal programs that disrupted regional economies.
Texas model for addressing homelessness in Austin in peril for lack of local funding
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 7, 2024
Following the repeal of the homeless camping ban in Austin in 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated a piece of state land in East Austin as a sanctioned homeless encampment.
Rep. Vasut to bring legislation to increase transparency in campaign finance for the third consecutive session
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 7, 2024
Representative Cody Vasut told the Lone Star Standard that one of his priorities for the 89th legislative session is to increase accessibility and transparency of the state’s campaign finance reporting systems.
Public hearing set for Texas finance agencies' fiscal year 2025 budget proposals
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, and the Texas Department of Banking will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on their proposed budgets for fiscal year 2025. The hearing is scheduled for August 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the State Finance Commission Building, located at 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas, in the William F. Aldridge Hearing Room (Third Floor). The event will be webcast live. Registration for the webcast can be completed by visiting www.fc.texas.gov.
DPS issues reminders for back-to-school safety measures
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
As students prepare to return to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has issued a reminder for Texans to exercise increased caution and follow safety measures designed to protect students, staff, and fellow drivers. These measures include guidelines on how to safely drop off and pick up children from school, drive cautiously through school zones, and discuss safety protocols with family members.
Commissioner Miller encourages Texans to celebrate National Farmers Market Week
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the kickoff of National Farmers Market Week, which runs from August 4th to 10th. The week celebrates the significant role farmers markets play in strengthening the food system and fostering healthier communities. Farmers markets contribute millions of dollars annually to local producers and promote healthy eating by providing fresh, locally grown food.
Governor Abbott appoints twelve members to Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Advisory Council
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., Martha Shoultz, Barry Smeltzer, and Melissa Smith and reappointed Brandon Brock, D.N.P., Kara Chasteen, Sarah Garrett, Suzanne Gazda, M.D., Qazi Javed, M.D., Paula Kruppstadt, M.D., Amy Offutt, M.D., and Nathan Pullen to the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council for terms set to expire on August 31, 2025. The council advises the commission and the legislature on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education related to pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
Packed house at Littlefield meeting leads to increased pressure against Muleshoe Refuge expansion
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
Over 350 landowners gathered in Littlefield in Lamb County at the end of July to hear from a panel of local, state, and national experts about plans by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. The expansion would increase the refuge in West Texas from 6,440 acres to 700,000 acres, and has sparked opposition from local stakeholders who say it threatens economic development and local governance.
Terrell County Sheriff: ‘Bad actors’ working with cartels to ‘smuggle drugs and distribute them across America’
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 6, 2024
Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland stated that individuals are collaborating with Mexican cartels to "smuggle drugs and distribute them all across America." Cleveland made the statement in an interview on the Texas Talks podcast on July 8.
Some are optimistic school choice will pass the Texas House of Representatives this session
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 5, 2024
During the 4th special session of the 88th legislature, an amendment on the House floor to end the legislative push for Education Savings Accounts passed 84-63.
OPINION: Slowdown and examination needed in process to expand Muleshoe Refuge
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 5, 2024
A pending proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge from 6,440 acres tops much as 7 million acres has ignited a firestorm across Texas and New Mexico. While land conservation always sounds good, the rapid expansion and lack of scrutiny in the federal process warrants a slowdown and thorough examination.
OPINION: FIGHTING FOR TEXAS FARMLAND: THE BATTLE AT MULESHOE
By Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller | Aug 2, 2024
Our nation’s agriculture industry is under siege, and the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear in the Texas Panhandle. The federal government is at it again, pushing for another major land grab at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.
Texas Blockchain Council's Vision: Leading the Digital Asset Revolution in the Lone Star State
By Lone Star Standard reports | Aug 1, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Lee Bratcher, President of the Texas Blockchain Council (add this to the end of the interview) Lee Bratcher is a Board Member and President of the Texas Blockchain Council, an industry association that exists to advocate for blockchain centric public policy initiatives, educate members of government about the benefits of bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Paxton secures $1.4 billion settlement against Meta
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 1, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta, formerly known as Facebook, over the company’s unauthorized practice of capturing and using biometric data of millions of Texans.
Texas Railroad Commissioner Wright testifies before Congress
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 1, 2024
Texas Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington, D.C., expressing support for bipartisan legislation aimed at providing states with more flexibility in using orphan well plugging funds allocated under the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act. House Resolution (HR) 7053, known as the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act, would allow states to be more flexible regarding methane monitoring of orphan wells through the Department of the Interior (DOI) Formula Grant program.
