News from July 2024
Public Utility Commission of Texas receives 72 applications for Texas Energy Fund Loan Program
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has received 72 applications for the Texas Energy Fund Loan Program as of July 29. The requests total approximately $24 billion to fund 38,379 megawatts of proposed dispatchable power generation projects in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region.
Public comment window for TxDOT draft Unified Transportation Program nears end
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
The public comment window for the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) draft of the 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) is slated to end on August 5. The plan, which TxDOT described as "record-breaking," comes with a price tag of $104 billion.
Abbott announces launch of new school safety system
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
In an effort to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff on campuses statewide, Governor Greg Abbott announced a new program called Sentinel. The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Office of School Safety will provide the service to schools at no charge.
Texas leaders host innovation invitational focused on modernizing transportation
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
SAN ANTONIO – Texas mobility leaders are joining forces to modernize and integrate advanced technologies into today’s transportation system to help improve safety and decrease congestion. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), University of Texas at Austin Center for Transportation Research (UT CTR), VIA Metropolitan Transit, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), Port San Antonio (Port SA), and Bexar County are hosting the 2024 Texas Innovation Invitational from July 29-31 in San Antonio. Leaders are gathering to discuss the latest in transportation...
Texas Panhandle shows resilience amid recurring natural disasters
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
Driving along the back roads of Hutchinson County in early summer, there is no visible destruction. Few would have guessed that just a few months before, the largest wildfire in Texas history engulfed this small Panhandle county, decimating some 1.2 million acres and taking the lives of thousands of cattle.
Euless and neighboring cities push for legislative reform on housing tax exemptions
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
Last month, the Lone Star Standard reported that the City of Plano and Plano ISD had filed a lawsuit against the Plano Housing authority and five other public facility corporations (PFC).
Texas bishops address recent events including Trump's assassination attempt
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:
Texas Blockchain Council president: There is ‘hundreds of billions of dollars circulating in stablecoins’
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 30, 2024
Lee Bratcher, the president and founder of the Texas Blockchain Council, said that stablecoins, mainly in US dollars and significant buyers of treasuries, help maintain the dollar as the world reserve currency and will impact finance greatly in the next decade. Bratcher was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Lt. Governor Patrick breaks with Trump, Abbott, Cruz on Bitcoin, crypto in Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 29, 2024
At the annual Bitcoin conference on Saturday in Nashville, former President Donald Trump began to lay out his “plan to ensure the United States will be the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world.”
TDHCA allocates $95 million in housing tax credits for affordable rental properties
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 28, 2024
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded nearly $95.5 million in housing tax credits to finance the development or rehabilitation of 63 rental properties across the state. These awards, part of the 2024 Competitive (9%) Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Program allocation, are expected to have a value of approximately $955 million over a 10-year term.
Boat dedicated to fallen DPS trooper at ceremony in Amarillo
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 28, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a boat dedication ceremony at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo to honor the life and service of fallen Trooper Matthew Myrick. The newly commissioned boat, named Patrol Vessel Myrick, will be transported to DPS’ Tactical Marine Unit stationed at the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas Blockchain Council president: ‘We do specialize in Bitcoin mining’
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 27, 2024
Lee Bratcher, the president and founder of the Texas Blockchain Council, said that Bitcoin is a highly transformational technology, whereas digital assets and enterprise blockchain offer more modest efficiency improvements, with their primary focus being on Bitcoin mining. Bratcher was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TDLR deputy executive director: Legislature wants us to ‘protect the public, protect health and safety’
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 26, 2024
Steve Bruno, deputy executive director of the Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), said the legislature wants them to protect public safety with common sense, using fines instead of immediate license revocation and lowering fees when possible. Bruno was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TXOGA President Staples: 'Operational efficiencies are driving strong production with fewer rigs, which can translate to declining industry job numbers'
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 26, 2024
Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), stated that "operational efficiencies are driving strong production with fewer rigs, which can translate to declining industry job numbers" after the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released data indicating a drop in Texas upstream oil and gas employment figures.
ACLU of Texas identifies 51 school districts in violation of state's CROWN Act
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 26, 2024
Fifty-one public school districts in Texas have been determined by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas to be in violation of the Texas CROWN Act. Consequently, the ACLU of Texas wrote to each of these school districts to notify them of violations in their 2023-2024 dress and grooming codes.
Associated Republicans of Texas praise state's efforts to secure border with Mexico
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 26, 2024
The Associated Republicans of Texas (ART) praised Governor Greg Abbott and the GOP-majority Texas Legislature's efforts to secure the state's southern border with Mexico. According to ART, a package of bills signed by Abbott last month aims to protect Texans from illegal immigration, weapons, and deadly drugs.
Texas Association of Builders unveils 2024 Texas Housing Hall of Honor inductees
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 26, 2024
The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) has announced its inductees for the 2024 Texas Housing Hall of Honor. The current class includes three individuals: Randy Birdwell, Larry Johnson, and Harold Peek.
Texas Association of Counties supports local governments amid budgeting season
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 25, 2024
County officials are currently engaged in the critical task of budgeting, aiming to produce fiscally responsible budgets that address the needs of their constituents. The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) is committed to supporting these efforts. "If you have not seen our County Budget and Tax Rate Planning Calendar, please check it out," TAC advises, noting its usefulness during this period.
Governor announces transitional sheltering aid after hurricane beryl
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 25, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) for 17 Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Additionally, FEMA has waived an assistance requirement for Texans who purchased or rented generators between July 5-20 due to power outages caused by the hurricane.
Authorities identify victim in 1984 Jack County cold case
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 25, 2024
The Jack County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers have identified the victim of a 1984 homicide near Wizard Wells, Texas, as Roberta Mumma. Her skeletal remains were discovered in a remote area of Jack County over 35 years ago, with her identity remaining unknown until now.
