News from May 2024
ERCOT forecasts that renewables will continue to dominate the Texas electric grid
By Lone Star Standard | May 31, 2024
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released projections last week indicating that intermittent wind and solar generation will continue to dominate the Texas grid for the next decade. The projections were contained in ERCOT's annual Report on the Capacity, Demand and Reserves, which predicts the growth of electric demand and the amount of generation available to power Texas' growing economy.
New leaders assume seats on Texas Association of Counties Board of Directors
By Lone Star Standard | May 31, 2024
The Texas Association of Counties' (TAC) Board of Directors is under a slate of new leaders for 2024 and 2025. The officers have been in office since March earlier this year.
CLEAT charitable arm names awardees of 2024 scholarship
By Lone Star Standard | May 31, 2024
Sixteen graduating Texas high school seniors have been named recipients of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas's (CLEAT) 2024 Peace Officers Memorial Foundation (POMF) Scholarship. The POMF, which serves as CLEAT's charitable arm, annually awards the scholarship to the dependents of the state's law enforcement officers who are either graduating high school or enrolled in an accredited college or university.
Texas unveils open education resource textbooks for public feedback
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
AUSTIN, TX – May 29, 2024 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the availability of the Texas Open Education Resources (OER) textbooks today, initiating a public feedback process. House Bill (HB) 1605 (88th Regular Session) directed the TEA to develop state-owned instructional materials, known as Texas OER textbooks, to support teachers and improve student academic outcomes. These optional textbooks aim to enhance student learning, close achievement gaps, and better support Texas teachers in mathematics and elementary literacy.
TPPF CEO Says New Open Education Resources Are A "Game-Changer" For Teachers And Student Achievement
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Texas Education Agency’s new high-quality instructional materials will significantly improve educational outcomes and provide substantial support for teachers, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Sindelar. TEA recently published the revised materials as part of a new review process passed by the Texas Legislature last year. The revised materials align with the state’s standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), follow evidence-based instructional strategies, and include a comprehensive knowledge base...
Governor Abbott supports new open education resources from Texas Education Agency
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement supporting the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) new open education resource (OER) instructional materials unveiled this morning.
Research Digest May 2024: Latest findings from TxDOT's RTI program
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The May 2024 issue of the Research Digest is now available for download from the CTR Library’s website. This month’s digest provides abstracts for 12 recent publications from the research program sponsored by TxDOT’s Research and Technology Implementation Division (RTI). The research projects represented cover a wide range of topics, including reports on the exploration of artificial intelligence for enhanced traffic management, operations and safety, speed limits in Texas, and investigating potential connected and automated vehicle liability issues within TxDOT.
ERCOT hosts Innovation Summit to explore solutions to Texas grid problems
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently held its inaugural Innovation Summit, focusing on the role of innovation in transforming the energy sector. The conference, which took place on May 21, explored ways to address the implications of the rapid growth of renewable energy in Texas.
Public Utility Commission unanimously appoints Corona executive director
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has officially appointed Connie Corona as the agency's executive director. Corona, who had been serving in the position on an interim basis since February 1, 2024, received a unanimous vote to secure the role permanently.
TWDB requests public input on first-ever state flood plan
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is inviting public input regarding the creation of the state's inaugural flood plan, set to be presented to the Texas Legislature by September 1, 2024. The initiative stems from Senate Bill (SB) 8, passed by lawmakers half a decade ago.
Texas Senate Committee moves to subpoena Facebook, Google
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously voted to authorize subpoenas on large tech firms, such as Facebook and Google, on the basis of election interference.
From School Lunches to Technological Advances: A Look Inside the Texas Department of Agriculture with Commissioner Sid Miller
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
THSC director: ‘There's always a reason to be cautious’ in regards to parental rights and education
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that while there are no local threats following the juvenile curfew bill's passage, the Texas Legislature's sessions always require vigilance, prompting her to relocate to Austin with a policy team to monitor hearings on parental rights and education. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
THSC director: ‘We invited our homeschool members to’ homeschool at the Capitol
By Lone Star Standard | May 29, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that last year, they advocated for school choice and parental choice opportunities by inviting homeschool families to the Capitol to observe legislative sessions and learn about the lawmaking process. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Governor Abbott renews wildfire disaster declaration for multiple Texas counties
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the wildfire disaster proclamation originally issued on February 27, 2024. The initial proclamation certified that wildfires beginning on February 23, 2024, posed an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property in several counties.
Texas State Library launches dashboard for public library internet speeds
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Austin, TX – The Library Digital Opportunity office (LDO) at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has launched a new Texas Public Libraries Speed Test Dashboard. This tool enables Texas public libraries and their patrons to compare their internet upload and download speeds with others across the state.
Commissioner Miller secures critical food assistance for storm-affected Houston residents
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the approval of his request for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to operate the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Disaster Household Distribution (DHD) program. This emergency measure will enable the Houston Food Bank to provide critical food assistance to residents in seven counties impacted by severe weather, flooding, extended power outages, and road closures. More than a million homes and businesses in the Houston area were without power, and over 40 school districts had closures due to the...
THSC director: In 1986 ‘Homeschool families rallied and sued every school district in Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that in 1986, attorney Shelby Sharp led homeschool families to sue over 1,100 Texas school districts for the right to homeschool, despite opposition from the then-attorney general who claimed parents were unfit to raise their children. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
THSC director: ‘Texas is one of the freest states to homeschool’
By Lone Star Standard | May 27, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said Texas, one of the freest states for homeschooling, now considers homeschooling a type of private school due to a 1994 Supreme Court ruling, and the Coalition has been protecting this right for over three decades. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Glen Rose receives 'Music Friendly' certification from Governor Abbott
By Lone Star Standard | May 26, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott announced today that the City of Glen Rose has been designated as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO) after completing the multi-step certification process. The Music Friendly Texas program, introduced by TMO in 2016, aims to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in Texas cities and communities.
