Early voting in the Salado ISD Board of Trustees and Village of Salado Board of Aldermen election began April 27 at the Salado Civic Center.
[Read more…] about Early voting turnout is low in Salado elections
Almost a month after the March 26 fatal accident on I-35, charges have been filed by an indianapolis truck accident attorney and an official Department of Public Safety crash report left the narrative description blank as being under review by the District Crash Team.
As of presstime on April 21, no charges have been filed in connection with the accident
[Read more…] about DPS releases report on fatal accident, no charges yet
The Public Arts League of Salado (PALS) will hold the annual fundraiser Taste of Salado on April 25 at the Venue in Salado.
The event will be preceded by three days of public art in action as well as ticketed events, collectively known as “Immerse & Emerge.”
[Read more…] about Taste of Salado is finale of Immerse, Emerge
By Eric Galatas
Texas News Service
AUSTIN, Texas – In order for Texas to meet its infrastructure and public works obligations — making sure bridges don’t collapse and schools and parks are open for business — costs need to be shared fairly among taxpayers, according to a new report from the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
By Richard Lee
Senate Media Services
(Austin) The Senate passed its version of the state budget on Tuesday, approving $211 billion in state and federal funds to pay for state services over the next two years. Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, who led the Senate’s appropriation efforts, said the budget maintains the conservative philosophy of the past while meeting the needs of the future. “This is a budget that will keep our state strong, prosperous and compassionate,” said Nelson.
[Read more…] about Texas Senate approves $211 billion budget
Texas News Service
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas workers are planning a new round of protests for higher wages on tax day.
[Read more…] about Workers Target Tax Day to Strike for Higher Pay
The Bell County Master Gardeners will host the 2015 Texas Master Gardener State Conference April 16 -18 at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton Texas. Over 550 attendees have registered.
[Read more…] about Master Gardener State Conference at Expo Center
By Heather Graham-Ashley
III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas (April 7, 2015) — Near- and long-term changes in Army force strength, retirement and compensation were heavy on the minds of the 22 Fort Hood Soldiers, who addressed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno during a virtual town hall held here, April 2.
[Read more…] about Fort Hood hosts Odierno for fourth virtual town hall
By Richard Lee
(Austin) A bill that would strip the Travis County District Attorney’s Office of its authority to investigate and indict public corruption cases passed the Senate this week. The bill by Southside Place Senator Joan Huffman would give investigation authority to the Texas Rangers at the Department of Public Safety, and the cases would ultimately be prosecuted in the accused’s county of residence. Huffman told colleagues that a single county shouldn’t be in charge of trying cases involving people from all over the state. “After more than three decades of accepting this cultural norm, the public has lost confidence in this tacit scheme, and Texas needs a fair and explicit process to hold wrongdoers accountable,” she said.
[Read more…] about Bill would strip Travis DA of corruption investigations
By Eric Galatas
Texas News Service
AUSTIN, Texas – While Congress considers cuts to safety-net programs such as food stamps – now known as SNAP benefits – a new report by the Food Research and Action Center shows that millions of Americans still are struggling to put food on the table.
The study, “How Hungry is America?,” found that almost one in five Texas households went hungry at some point in 2014.
Even in an improving economy, said Celia Cole, chief executive of Feeding Texas, basic needs remain out of reach for too many people.
“It’s surprising, I think,” she said, “because I think most people think, well, we’ve come out of the recession, people should be doing better. And I think what we’re seeing from this study is that people at the lower end of the economic ladder continue to struggle.”
Texas ranked 16th among states with high levels of food hardship.
Cole said one in six American homes admitted there were times in the past year when they couldn’t afford to buy food. Ninety-eight of the largest 100 metropolitan areas surveyed reported food hardship.
In Texas, hardship rates were highest in San Antonio at 21.3 percent. Dallas and Houston fared a little better, where 18 percent of households lacked money for food.
The report warned that food hardship poses risks for children, working-age adults, people with disabilities and seniors. Going hungry also increases stress levels, it said, which is bad for health, learning and productivity. Cole said that drives up health costs for Texas families, employers and government.
“In the long run, with one in five families struggling to afford food consistently,” she said, “we’re talking about a significant economic impact on the state.”
The report’s recommendations to reduce the number of Americans struggling to find their next meal include a move toward full employment, strengthening wages and investing in effective programs, such as SNAP and school breakfasts.
The report is online at frac.org.