Local 167
Kerrville Proposes Eight Percent Disaster Recovery Tax Rate Increase
The City of Kerrville unanimously approved a resolution to publish a property tax rate that includes an 8 percent increase allowed by the Texas Tax Code for cities declared a disaster area. Kerrville suffered extensive damage as a result of the Guadalupe River flooding on July 4. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required […]
5th Circuit Appeals Court Blocks West Texas A&M Drag Show Ban
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court opinion that had allowed West Texas A&M University (WTAM) to ban on-campus drag shows. In March 2023, an LGBT student group, Spectrum WT, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), sued WTAM President Walter Wendler and other Texas A&M University […]
Texas Lawmakers File Legislation Reforming Contract Policing in Harris County
Harris County’s management of policing is again in the spotlight as lawmakers consider reforms to a program under which local school districts and neighborhoods contract with law enforcement agencies for extra patrols. Although the sheriff and eight elected county constables contract with homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, and public school districts for the extra patrols, the […]
Central Texas Member-Owned Dog Ridge Water Supply Corporation Faces Administrative Turmoil
Water is essential to human existence, but especially in the heat of summer, Texas residents want reliable water service. The Dog Ridge Water Supply Corporation in Bell County is facing a number of challenges including water quality and governance issues, but the new board President and Interim General Manager Heidi Curtis is optimistic about getting […]
Harris County Judge Awarded Violent Suspect PR Bond in Violation of Texas Law
Although Harris County man Jared Wilson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in 2022 and repeatedly violated terms of his community supervision, State District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio authorized his release on personal recognizance (PR) bond in violation of Texas law. As part of his probation, Wilson was placed in an intermediate sanction facility, but prosecutors […]
Local Leaders Urge Congress Not to Withhold Funding from Texas High-Speed Rail Projects
Local government leaders in North Texas agreed to send a letter supporting the high-speed rail plans from Fort Worth to Dallas to Houston. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) approved a letter to be sent to the North Texas congressional delegation opposing language in a proposed appropriations […]
Texas House Lawmaker Files Special Session Bill to Reform Harris County Flood Control District
State Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Houston) is again calling on fellow state lawmakers to reform and expand the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) to loosen the county’s control over flood planning and expand the district to adopt a regional approach incorporating the San Jacinto River Basin. “What’s prompting this renewed push is the citizens of […]
Kerr County Proposes Maintaining Tax Rate with Increased Salaries for County Employees, Officials
The Kerr County Commissioners Court is getting closer to publishing a proposed budget that will be adopted on August 25. The August 4 commissioners court meeting was recessed until Tuesday, August 5 to allow more information to be gathered about likely disaster road and bridge repair costs that might be lower than expected. × This […]
Texas AG Paxton Announces End to Harris County’s Guaranteed Basic Income Program
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that his office has successfully halted Harris County’s guaranteed basic income (GBI) program that would have awarded monthly stipends to selected low-income residents. “This unlawful free handout scheme pushed by champagne socialists like [Harris County Judge] Lina Hidalgo has now been completely defeated,” Paxton said in a statement. […]
Kerrville and Kerr County Ask for Disaster Tax Rate Calculation
As part of their annual budget processes, the City of Kerrville and Kerr County have taken action to have the county tax assessor calculate a new voter-approval tax rate at an 8 percent increase, rather than the usual 3.5 percent. In 2021, the Texas Legislature allowed local governments, which are under a disaster declaration to […]
Fort Bend County Democrats were found to have violated the Texas Election Code, according to the ethics fee.
The Texas Ethics Commission ( TEC ) found proof that a former Fort Bend County commissioner had violated the state’s electoral code, but the commission declined to impose civil penalties because the defendant had already admitted guilt earlier this year. The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office ( FBCDA ) made a sworn complaint last […]
Death Toll in Kerr County Rises to 59, President Trump Signs Federal Disaster Declaration
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha’s latest report on the flooding disaster in Kerr County placed the total number of deceased victims at 59 — telling reporters again that number is expected to change as rescuers continue their search. Of the 59 fatalities, 38 are adults, and 21 are children; 18 adults and 4 children remain […]
