On October 25, 1886, the Texas State Fair opened in Dallas. For 137 years, the Fair has operated in Dallas. During the first State Fair, a rival organization opened the Dallas Exposition at the same time. Both fairs were successful and drew crowds of over 35,000 people a day at the time. Eventually the groups merged and became the State Fair of Texas. The current fair grounds in Fair Park were the original location of the Dallas Exposition. The grounds were expanded in 1936 when it became the site of the Texas Centennial Exposition. 

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. Texas ranks as one of most talented states

According to a recent report, Texas is one of the most talented states in the nation. Texas ranked third in a list that evaluated how many film, music, sports, and comedy stars are from each state. Only New York and California exceed Texas’ over 8,000 native-born stars. Those two states are boosted by actors and comedians, where Texas excels with the most professional athletes. There are more than 1,000 more notable athletes from Texas than the next highest ranking state, Illinois. Most star athletes from Texas play football or baseball, but there are still significant numbers of basketball and hockey players as well. Texas is followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, New Hersey, and Massachusetts. 

2. Third special session update 

This month, the Governor called the Legislature back for the Third Called Special Session. Topics on the call include border security, public safety, ending COVID vaccine mandates, and education savings accounts. The Senate got started quickly, passing five Senate bills in our first week of special session. Senate Bill 1 establishes the education savings account program. While I did not vote for SB 1, it passed the Senate and is now in the House. Senate Bill 2 is a wide-ranging public school finance bill that includes teacher pay raises, an increase in the basic allotment, and an increase in school safety funding. Senate Bill 4 relates to border security especially penalties for smuggling or operating a stash house. Senate Bill 11 also relates to border security creating a criminal offense of improper entry from a foreign nation. Lastly, Senate Bill 7 prohibits private employers from adopting or enforcing a requirement for employees to have the COVID-19 vaccine. All of these bill passed the Senate and are now in the House where they are being further refined and debated. This special session will last a maximum of 30 days, bringing it to a close around November 9. 

3. Jacksonville-based business to be featured on Shark Tank

Shark Tank, a business reality television series, is set to feature local Jacksonville businessmen for their innovative new product. Called the “Krapp Strapp,” the product helps outdoorsmen when nature calls while they’re in the woods. The simple, but effective, invention was developed by Keith Lindsey and Bob Legg of Air Boss Outdoors. While their top selling products are waterfowl decoys, this new product is the one that opened the door for them to appear on the show. Be sure to tune into the episode which will air November 3. 

4. Texas hits new record for job growth

Texas’ job count hit a historic milestone last month, surpassing 14 million jobs. Employment increased by over 61,000 positions over the month, marking 31 consecutive months of growth. Texas’ annual growth rate of 3.2 percent beat the national growth rate by 1.1 percentage points. Employment in nine of Texas’ eleven major industries expanded over the month. Those industries are trade, transportation, utilities, professional and business services, private education and health services, and manufacturing. 

5. TWC awards training grant to Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas  

The Texas Workforce Commission announced this month it awarded Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas a $15,000 grant for High Demand Job Training to prepare workers in East Texas for long-term, high-demand careers. The High Demand Job Training program is part of a statewide effort to support collaboration between Workforce Development Boards and local economic development entities. The partnerships create job training programs for high-demand occupations. The grant will be used in conjunction with Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation to help over 60 students from the local school district earn certifications in occupations such as healthcare, forklift operations, and risk management. 

It’s officially fall! September 22 marked the official start of autumn. Hopefully that means some cooler weather.  

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. Port Arthur LNG obtains approval to expand gas plant project  

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the permit that authorizes the Port Arthur Liquid Natural Gas plant project to expand into Phase 2, including the addition of two liquification trains capable of producing up to 13 million tons per annum (Mtpa) of liquefied natural gas. That would increase the total capacity of the facility from 13 Mtpa currently to 26 Mtpa. Sempra, the company that owns the plant, expects the expansion will help meet the future domestic demand for liquid natural gas supplies and international demand. The second phase of this project will continue to create new, high-paying jobs in the region and benefit the local economy. Texas is a leader in energy production and I applaud Sempra’s decision to expand their footprint in Southeast Texas. 

2. Comptroller predicts increase in revenue estimate 

At an interview during Texas Tribune’s annual conference, TribFest, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hager predicted that the state will have more money available to spend than previously thought. During the 88th Regular Session, legislators passed a balanced budget that totaled $321.3 billion. Lawmakers also made use of an over $30 billion surplus from the previous fiscal year. Now the state’s accountant says there will be additional revenue, driven mainly by an increase in insurance premiums. Hager did not say exactly how much extra funding will be available, but that number should be released in his October update. How and if the additional money is spent could come up during a potential special session that Governor Abbott has said will begin next month.

3. General Land Office approves $68M in mitigation projects in East Texas

Earlier this month, the General Land Office (GLO) announced the approval of over $68 million for six mitigation projects in Deep East Texas, with $42 million for broadband and interoperable radio communications infrastructure through the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG). Other projects are in the cities of Hemphill, Ivanhoe, and Woodville and Sabine County for street improvements and Jasper County for community resource centers, reconstruction of roadways, and installing elevated water tanks. The DETCOG project will increase connectivity in the region, which is especially essential during a disaster. Businesses, local governments, emergency responders, and other organizations cannot effectively respond to a disaster without broadband access. These projects are critical to Deep East Texas and I’m appreciative of all the work DETCOG and the GLO have done to ensure this funding was made available. 

4. Stephen F. Austin State University celebrates 100 year anniversary   

This month SFA celebrated its centennial with four days worth of events and parties. The occasion brought thousands of students, alumni, staff, and community members to the campus to commemorate 100 years of SFA. The university opened its doors for the first time on September 19, 1923. It was initially part of the Texas State University System, before becoming an independent university on 1969. This year, the university voted to join the University of Texas System. When SFA opened, there were only 270 students enrolled and classes were held in borrowed buildings in downtown Nacogdoches. Today, SFA has around 11,000 students on a sprawling campus. 

5. Broadband infrastructure funding update  

In the past several years I have focused on broadband access for rural Texas, and Texas will soon see an influx of new funding toward bridging the digital divide. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced this summer that Texas will receive roughly $3.3 billion in federal funding for broadband deployment. These dollars represent Texas’ allocation of the $42.5 billion in funding from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) funded through the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.  The Texas Broadband Development Office has submitted a plan to the NTIA for the use of these federal dollars and will by the end of the year submit additional required planning documents to the NTIA.   The bulk of the $3.3 billion could then be made available as early as the end of next year or the beginning of 2025.  Meanwhile, Texas Voters will have the chance in November to vote on Proposition 8, which creates a new Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand high-speed broadband access.  If approved by the voters, Proposition 8 will provide an additional $1.5 billion of funding allocated by the Texas Legislature to increase broadband access and closing the digital divide.

This month we remember President Lyndon B. Johnson on what would have been his 115th birthday. President Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas in 1908 and was elected as a Congressman, Senator, and later President of the United States. His birthday is an official state holiday in Texas. 

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. TxDOT urges drivers to be mindful in school zones 

School is back in session for most Texas students and the Texas Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be extra cautious in school zones and around school buses to keep kids safe. Last year, there were 746 traffic accidents in Texas school zones, resulting in 23 serious injuries. The most common factors were driver inattention, speeding, and failure to yield the right of way. Also last year, there were 2,305 accidents involving a Texas school bus, resulting in seven deaths and 51 serious injuries. Speeding and driver inattention were major factors in those accidents as well. Be sure to slow down, pay attention, and follow all traffic laws to keep children safe as they head back to school this fall. 

2. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association announces no rate increases

This month the TWIA Board of Directors met and voted not to increase rates for residential and commercial policies in 2024. TWIA then filed a 0 percent rate change for its annual required rate filing with the Texas Department of Insurance. The Actuarial and Underwriting Committee had recommended a 5 percent increase for residential properties and an 8 percent increase for commercial policies. An increase would require a two-thirds vote of the board, which it was unable to obtain. The Board’s decision was made after receiving public comment from coastal community members, policy holders, and elected officials.  

3. East Texas schools receive $2.8 million in grants

This month the Texas Workforce Commission and Governor Abbott announced nine Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totally over $2.8 million for five Southeast Texas schools. JET grants are aimed at supporting career and technical education training programs by providing funding to purchase and install equipment. These programs will educate more than 890 students in high-demand occupations in the region. The JET grants include: 

• Angelina College: over $348,000 to purchase and install equipment to train 76 students as electricians; 
• Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD: over $377,000 grant to train 119 students as registered nurses in partnership with Angelina College; 
• Diboll ISD: received three grants totaling over $1 million to train students in production occupations, industrial engineering, and nursing in partnership with Angelina College; 
• Nacogdoches ISD: over $130,000 for equipment to train 205 students as emergency medical technicians in partnership with Angelina College; 
• Windham School District: received three grants totaling just under $850,000 for equipment to train students as production workers, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, and industrial truck and tractor operators. 

4. New laws go into effect September 1  

Many new laws go into effect on September 1 after a legislative session to line up with the new fiscal year. After the 88th Legislative Session, there are over 750 bills that go into effect this week. Some interesting new laws include: 

• House Bill 25 – creates the “Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program” which allows the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with Canadian drug wholesalers and suppliers to bring safe eligible prescription drugs to Texas consumers at lower costs than US wholesalers. 
• House Bill 1885 – allows TxDOT engineers to temporarily adjust speed limits for sections of roads or highways during road construction or inclement weather conditions, like heavy fog, ice, or rain. 
• Senate Bill 379 – an exemption from sales tax for family care products, such as feminine hygiene products, adult and children’s diapers, baby wipes, maternity wear, breast milk pumps, and baby bottles. 
• Senate Bill 490 – requires medical providers send patients an itemized bill prior to attempting to collect any money from the patient. 

5. General Land Office announces $10 billion for students from carbon capture storage leases  

This month the Texas General Land Office announced it awarded six carbon capture and sequestration leases that will provide $130 million in signing bonus payments for the Permanent School Fund (PSF) and over $10 billion over the length of the 30-year lease term. The PSF is a constitutionally created fund that supports public education. The leases on state-owned land will allow these private entities to store carbon over half a million acres off the Texas coast. 

Summer is in full swing, but back to school is right around the corner. Be sure to stay cool during these hot Texas days! 

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. Property tax relief measures passed, signed by Governor Abbott 

This month, the Texas Senate and House of Representatives came together and made a deal to deliver property tax relief to homeowners across the state. The $18 billion package is the largest tax cut in Texas history. Senate Bill 2, by Senator Paul Bettencourt and Representative Morgan Meyer, includes an increase in the homestead exemption from $40,000 for most homes to $100,000. It will go into effect on this year’s property tax bill if the accompanying proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the voters in November. The bill also includes $7 billion for the reduction of school district maintenance and operations tax rates statewide. Senate Bill 2 also includes a 3-year pilot project for non-homesteaded property valued at $5 million or under to receive a 20% circuit-breaker on appraised value increases. It also includes a change to County Appraisal District boards of directors to include 3 county-wide, elected director positions in counties with a population of 75,000 or more. 

The accompanying legislation Senate Bill 3, by Senator Paul Bettencourt and Representative Charlie Geren, incudes a doubling of the franchise tax exemption for businesses from $1.23 million to $2.47 million. An estimated 67,000 businesses will no longer pay a franchise tax. It also eliminates a “nuisance-tax” for 1.7 million business owners who previously had to file no-tax-due forms for franchise taxes. I was proud to co-author and vote for both bills and thrilled that the Governor signed the package.

2. Lamar State College Port Arthur opens new industrial training facility

This month Lamar State College Port Arthur opened a new $6 million, 33,000 square foot industrial training facility that has been in the works since 2018. The facility will train to be soon-to-be electricians, pipe fitters, or other essential workers, including training for jobs at the nearby petrochemical facilities. Courses can range in length from one to six months and at the end of each course students will receive certificates, which may open doors to new job opportunities. The space was once used as a National Guard armory and was converted using federal and city grants. 

3. TxDOT, law enforcement launch Operation Slow Down

This month, TxDOT teamed up with law enforcement to urge drivers to “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” – a speeding awareness campaign aimed at saving lives. According to TxDOT, speed was a contributing factor in more than 162,000 roadway crashes in Texas in 2022, resulting in 1,469 deaths. It is the number one factor contributing to roadway crashes in Texas. Safe driving goes beyond just observing the speed limit. It also means matching speed to road conditions if there is bad weather or road construction, slowing down and allowing for more space to stop when traffic is heavy, and watching for road signs indicating reduced speed limits ahead. Operation Slow Down and “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” are both components of #EndTheStreakTX, an effort to end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways. The last deathless day on Texas roads was November 7, 2000. 

4. Texas drawn hunt applications open for 2023-2024  

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) opened applications for their drawn hunt permits program for the 2023-2024 season. The program, which issues permits for drawn hunts on both public and private lands statewide, issues almost 10,000 permits in more than 60 high quality hunt categories. Hunts available include white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, alligator, and dove and guided packages for exotic species and bighorn sheep. Last year there were more than 278,000 applications. Application fees range from free to $10, depending on the hunt category. Applications are due by the 1st and 15th of each month between August 1 and November 1. A full list of categories, maps, and deadlines can be found online at https://tpwd.texas.gov/. 

5. SFA hosts rural economic development forums  

Stephen F. Austin State University Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation and the Texas Forest Country Partnership hosted forums on Rural Economic Development this month in San Augustine County and Polk County. Future forums are planned in Nacogdoches County, Angelina County, Trinity County, and Newton County throughout early August. The forums include discussions on workforce, economic development, education, industry, and community needs. I was happy to attend the forum in San Augustine and discuss important topics facing business owners and the community.

Next week, the nation will celebrate Independence Day. The Fourth of July commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, establishing the United States of America. Our Founding Fathers made history in declaring our independence from Britain 247 years ago and establishing this great nation. Happy Fourth of July! 

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. Grand opening of improved Rusk State Hospital 

This month, I was thrilled to attend the grand opening of the new $200 million patient complex and administration building at Rusk State Hospital. I have worked on this project with other members of the Legislature and the Lt. Governor since 2015. The Rusk State Hospital improvement project opened the door for the improvement of all the state’s state hospitals, which is ongoing. The state has committed $3.2 billion since 2017 for the replacement, renovation, or expansion of state hospitals in Austin, Kerrville, Rusk, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. The new Rusk State Hospital includes 100-bed non-maximum-security unit and an expanded 100-bed maximum-security unit. It also has single-person rooms, natural light, outdoor spaces, and a variety of therapeutic, recreational, and social experiences for patients to prepare for life outside the hospital. Mental health care is essential for many Texans, and it is imperative that the state continues to support and expand access to services statewide. 

2. Governor calls first, second special sessions on property tax relief

As the last day of the 88th regular session came to a close, Governor Abbott called the First Called Special Session of the 88th Legislature. Property tax relief and border security were the only two items on the special session call, therefore the only things the Legislature could address. However, the House and the Senate could not come to an agreement on either issue. On the last day of the first special session, the Governor called the Legislature back into a second special session. The Second Called Special Session of the 88th Legislature will have a singular focus – property tax relief. Currently there is disagreement over whether to put the entirety of the almost $18 billion toward lowering school district property tax rates or to allocate part of that relief to increasing the homestead exemption to $100,000. Increasing the homestead exemption would create an ongoing benefit for homeowners, while compressing school district taxes would have to include continuing increasing funding from the state for school districts to maintain the benefit. 

3. TEA meets federal special education requirements, ending federal oversight

This month, the US Department of Education sent a letter announcing that the Texas Education Agency has fulfilled all the needed requirements to comply with federal special education law. The Department’s Special Education Program’s office will remove special conditions it had placed on TEA. The federal oversight began in 2018 when the Education Department informed the state it was out of compliance with special education standards, specifically when evaluating students for special education services. Over the past several years, TEA and the Education Department have worked to ensure students needing special education services were identified and given access to those services. 

4. Texas to receive $3.3 billion in federal broadband funding  

This week, the federal government announced over $40 billion for broadband expansion will be distributed nationwide. Texas will receive $3.3 billion of that funding, more than any other state and more than $1 billion more than the next largest share of funding. The funds are aimed at providing high-speed internet access to the nearly 2.8 million households without access in Texas. According to the Texas Broadband Development Office, 85 percent of Texans who lack high-speed internet live in rural communities. Broadband access is a necessity in an increasingly digital landscape. Health care, education, and business are all routinely conducted online or supplemented online. Without access to high-speed internet, rural Texans are left behind in an increasing digital divide. Continued investment in the expansion of internet availability statewide is necessary to ensure rural areas receive access to broadband. 

5. Texas ranks number one for Best Business Climate  

In yet another survey, Texas is named number one – this time for Best Business Climate. Business Facilities magazine’s 19th annual ranking report focused on over 60 factors that site selection teams use during corporate relocations or expansion projects. Last year, Texas attracted more than 1,000 projects, more than double the second-highest state, according to the magazine. Texas was rewarded for the amount of capital investment in the state, job creation, diversity of industries, infrastructure, and its business-friendly regulatory and tax climate.