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Opinion

Lege gets to work in fourth special session

Lege gets to work in fourth special session

The Texas Legislature, conceived as a part-time body to meet every other year for 140 days, is now in its record fifth session (counting the regular session). When the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is included, legislators have been in Austin pretty much the entire year, as the Texas Tribune noted. While legislators are paid just $7,200 a year in salary, per diem payments – meant to cover their expenses while in Austin – have mounted. If the fourth special session goes a full 30 days, taxpayers will have spent $4.8 million keeping lawmakers in Austin. 11/16/2023 12:00 AM

Enjoying the rain and cooler weather

Enjoying the rain and cooler weather

The rains and cooler weather came in time for us to enjoy our fall flowers. The asters survived the drought as did the lantana, white boneset and purple cenizo. 11/16/2023 12:00 AM

Plant seeds now, grow bluebonnets later

Plant seeds now, grow bluebonnets later

It’s not too late to plan for a blue bonnet (lupinus texensis) patch in your yard this spring. 11/09/2023 12:00 AM

Special session likely to end with no voucher deal

Special session likely to end with no voucher deal

As the clock ran down on the Legislature’s third special session, Texas House and Senate leaders exchanged barbs over Gov. Greg Abbott’s school choice bill and border security proposals, the Austin American- Statesman reported. 11/09/2023 12:00 AM

Learning all about the holiday pumpkin

Learning all about the holiday pumpkin

Today, pumpkins are a sign of fall and the coming holidays, and no thanksgiving table is complete without a pumpkin pie. But pumpkins have not always been associated with Thanksgiving. 11/02/2023 12:00 AM

Abbott, House deadlocked over school choice, teacher pay

Abbott, House deadlocked over school choice, teacher pay

Gov. Gregg Abbott and the Texas House are at loggerheads over which will come first – vouchers for parents to pay for private school tuition, or funneling more money to public schools, The Dallas Morning News reported. 11/02/2023 12:00 AM

Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor

does not use social media to criticize or condemn her opponents but is very professional and works well with others. No turmoil; no drama! Please vote for Aurora. Woodcreek needs her. 10/26/2023 12:00 AM

Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor

To my neighbors in Woodcreek: It is election time for our city, and I want to encourage my friends and neighbors to vote Hambrick, Bonniwell, and LeBrun. I am making this endorsement because I believe they will protect our City from the negative effects of short-term rentals in our residential neighborhoods. The Planning & Zoning Commission has given the current Council a solution that has been tested in other cities. Yet, six months later this Council has failed to act. I fear their decision will not be favorable to my neighbors and I. If you review recent agenda packets, you will see Council has adjourned to closeddoor executive session several times to discuss the issue of STR’s. Why? They owe us an open discussion and the opportunity to have input. Why is this Council not allowing citizens to participate in such a crucial decision? 10/26/2023 12:00 AM

Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor

Did you know that retired teachers, aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, school maintenance personnel and administrators have not gotten a cost of living increase for almost 20 years? Many of you are not aware that most retired teachers are not eligible to receive Social Security, and instead, a TRS pension is the primary source of income. The recent Social Security cost of living raises that helped many, do not include retired school personnel. 10/26/2023 12:00 AM

Early voting in Texas now underway

Early voting in Texas now underway

Early voting is now underway for the Nov. 7 general election. Voters will decide the fate of 14 proposed amendments, including measures to provide property tax relief and raise the homestead exemption to $100,000. 10/26/2023 12:00 AM