News from March 2024
Texas surges soldiers, resources to boost border security in El Paso
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 30, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are intensifying efforts to enhance border security in El Paso. The collaborative work will add more resources to address illegal activities like drug and human smuggling across the Texas border.
DPS Arrests Six in Multi-Agency Lone Star Card Fraud Investigation
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 30, 2024
EL PASO – Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested six suspects in connection with a Lone Star Card fraud investigation in the El Paso area. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Lone Star Cards are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help payments. From 2016 to the current date, 30 individuals have been arrested for Lone Star Card fraud.The multi-agency...
Fugitive Sex Offenders from Houston, Odessa Added to Texas 10 Most Wanted List
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 30, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Braylon Lee Smart and Christopher Michael Anderson to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to each of their arrests. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.Braylon Lee Smart, 27, of Houston, has been wanted out of Harris County since February 2023 for evading arrest/detention with a previous conviction. Additionally, in October 2023, multiple warrants were issued out of Harris and Fort Bend counties for Smart’s arrest...
Governor Abbott Appoints Three To Texas County And District Retirement System Board Of Trustees
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Ronald “Ronnie” Keister and reappointed Susan Fletcher and Mary Louise Nicholson to the Texas County and District Retirement System Board of Trustees for terms set to expire on December 31, 2029. The Board exists to provide Texas County and district employees with retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.Ronald “Ronnie” Keister, the Lubbock County tax assessor/collector, has been serving in this role since 2009. Keister, a member and former president of the Tax Assessor Collector Association of Texas, is also actively involved in...
TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $207,958
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has announced fines totaling $207,958 for violations of state environmental regulations. The penalties were approved during a recent meeting, as reported on Mar 28, 2024.According to the official statement, the fines include penalties of $191,118 against 12 regulated entities. The violations covered a range of categories, with agreed orders issued for various enforcement categories such as multi-media, municipal wastewater discharges, petroleum storage tanks, and public water systems. Default orders were also issued for...
Texas Business and Property Owners Seeing $4.5 Billion Yearly Savings Thanks to SB 2 and SB 3
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Austin, TX – In the 2nd called Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) passed SB 2, which provided historic property tax reductions, and SB 3, which doubled the franchise tax exemption taking around 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) off the franchise tax roll, and eliminated the requirement to file a ‘No Tax Due’ form. SB 3 also eliminated the administrative burden of filing a ‘No Tax Due’ franchise tax return for 2.178 million SMBs. Senator Bettencourt was the author of SB 2 and SB 3, which were sponsored in the...
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: All members of the community should be ‘recognized and celebrated’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani said it's important to recognize and honor all religions and celebrate the work and achievements of public servants. Bhojani was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Public Hearing Scheduled for 2026-2027 Biennium Health Program Funding
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has announced a public hearing to gather input on public health program funding for the 2026-2027 biennium Legislative Appropriations Request. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Robert D. Moreton Building Public Hearing Room M-100 in Austin, Texas.According to the DSHS agenda, the public hearing will include a welcome and call to order, an agency overview, a budget overview for the 2026-2027 Biennium, public comment session, closing remarks, and adjournment.Stakeholder...
Texas Home Sales Dipped in 2023; Median Prices Were Mixed
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Texas REALTORS® released their 2023 Texas Real Estate Year in Reviewreport, noting a nearly 11% decline in home sales in Texas last year. Jef Conn commented on the impact of higher mortgage rates on the market, stating, “While higher mortgage rates kept some buyers on the sidelines last year, that has led to a lot of pent-up demand.” He also mentioned that sales have started to pick up early in the year, indicating an active market for the upcoming spring.In terms of median prices, the report highlighted mixed trends in 2023. Median prices in...
Governor Abbott takes action against antisemitic acts at Texas colleges and universities
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 28, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order to address a rise in antisemitism at colleges and universities in Texas. The order is intended to ensure a safe learning environment for Jewish students and all Texans.
Governor Abbott Announces Over $315,000 Career Training Grant To Rockport Fulton ISD
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 28, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott this week announced that a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant exceeding $315,500 has been granted to Rockport Fulton Independent School District (ISD) by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: ‘Good relationships’ between both parties are important for legislative success
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 28, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani said bipartisan collaboration, respectful dialogue, and private consultation in discussing bills and fostering mutual understanding among colleagues are crucial in legislative endeavors.
TDHCA Adds Freddie Mac HFA Advantage® to Mortgage Options for Qualified Repeat Texas Homebuyers
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 27, 2024
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has introduced the Freddie Mac HFA Advantage mortgage product to its Texas Homebuyer Program, catering to qualified first-time or repeat Texas homebuyers."TDHCA’s Texas Homebuyer Program provides a critical financial component to advancing homeownership in the state," expressed Bobby Wilkinson, TDHCA’s executive director, emphasizing the importance of the program.Wilkinson further stated, "We’re excited to now offer the Freddie Mac HFA Advantage product and give future homebuyers another favorable mortgage...
Governor Abbott Launches Texas Space Commission
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 27, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has officially launched the Texas Space Commission and unveiled the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) Executive Committee. The announcement took place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of Texas in the space industry.Governor Abbott stated, “Texas is the launchpad for Mars, innovating the technology that will colonize humanity’s first new planet. As we look into the future of space, one thing is clear:...
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: Both parties ‘want what's best for Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 27, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani said it is important to foster good relationships across party lines to advance the interests of the state. Bhojani was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
12-year-old tech entrepreneur: 'I would prefer to meet more people around my age group, help more people, do more stuff' than skip grades to get to college early
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 27, 2024
Arjun Sharda, a 12-year-old tech entrepreneur, said he plans to remain in middle school because of the value of interpersonal connections and community engagement over rushing into college. Sharda was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
12-year-old tech entrepreneur: Nonprofit TLEEM started off as 'just a small club' at his middle school
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 26, 2024
Arjun Sharda, a 12-year-old tech entrepreneur, said that the nonprofit TLEEM began as a small club, collaborating with teachers and students, gaining support from the assistant principal, and aiming to expand while focusing on technology. Sharda was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: The desire to serve comes from a ‘need to pay forward’ the help received
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 26, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani said his desire to serve stems from his upbringing and personal experiences, instilling in him a commitment to leaving a positive impact on society and giving back to those in need. Bhojani was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: Pakistan is ‘so corrupt that the economy is not doing well’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 25, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani, born in Pakistan, said that Pakistan has faced enduring challenges such as recurrent periods of unrest, especially under martial law, and widespread corruption among politicians, resulting in detrimental effects on the economy and hindering the country's progress. Bhojani was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Governor Abbott Directs State Emergency Response Resources Ahead Of Critical Wildfire Threats
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 25, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has taken proactive measures in response to anticipated critical wildfire conditions in the Panhandle and West Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has been directed to activate state emergency response resources to address the impending threat."As wildfire threats are expected across West Texas and the Panhandle this weekend, Texas is ready to swiftly respond with emergency resources and personnel to assist local officials to keep their communities safe,” stated Governor Abbott. He also expressed gratitude towards the firefighters...
