Bettencourt: Uvalde classroom door unlocked during rampage; law enforcement didn’t try to see if it would open
On Monday, the state House committee investigating the response to the mass murders at Robb Elementary will hear testimony from responding law enforcement officers. It is the third day of testimony in Uvalde.
Valley to consider property tax amendments on May 7 ballot
In addition to local city and school elections, Rio Grande Valley voters also have constitutional amendments on their May 7 ballot. Recent legislation lowered school tax rates for homeowners, but did not take into account those elderly and disabled homeowners with frozen taxes. The average homeowner will pay $175 less in school property values using the statewide average rate of $1.17/$100, it estimates. “I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Patrick for making both property tax Senate bills a priority, as all homeowners with homesteads will save money on their property tax bills. Bettencourt said last year that the state’s budget surplus would pay for the first year of tax relief.
myrgv.comHarris County GOP files lawsuit against Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria over 10,000 vote count discrepancy
The Harris County Republican Party announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria during a press conference Monday afternoon.
Harris County GOP officials criticize Isabel Longoria, alleging a failure to properly manage primary election
Harris County Republican Party Chairman Cindy Siegel is joining Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt, HCRP Legal Counsel Steve Mitby and the Party’s Legal Team to discuss the widespread problems and legal action addressing what they claim is a failure of Election Administrator Isabel Longoria to properly manage the primary election.
Capital Highlights — Two proposed amendments on May ballot
Voters who go to the polls for municipal and school board elections on May 7 will also be asked to decide on two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza dre[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas voters will decide whether to lower their property tax payments after Legislature completes last-minute Hail Mary
If voters approve the measure next year, it will raise the state’s homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes, netting the average homeowner about $176 in savings.
Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color
Democrats criticized Republicans for “targeting” a North Texas district that had been trending Democratic and for not drawing any new districts where people of color would represent a majority of eligible voters.
Property Tax Relief, Not Yet On Special Session Agenda, Appears On Fast Track In State Senate – Houston Public Media
Senate Bill 1 would use a state tax surplus to lower school district property tax rates by roughly 3.3 cents, translating to roughly $100 in savings for the owner of a $300,000 home.
houstonpublicmedia.orgProperty Tax Relief, Not Yet On Special Session Agenda, Appears On Fast Track In State Senate – Houston Public Media
Senate Bill 1 would use a state tax surplus to lower school district property tax rates by roughly 3.3 cents, translating to roughly $100 in savings for the owner of a $300,000 home.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas Senate too late with hastily conjured bill allowing party officials to trigger audits of 2020 election
The bill, approved by the Senate and never considered by the House, would have allowed state and local party chairs to file requests to launch audits, but Republicans say the legislation would not have spawned a debacle akin to the controversial review underway in Arizona.
Lawmakers briefed on status of Texas’ power grid after conservation alert
Several Texas lawmakers were briefed Wednesday on the status of our state’s power grid. Gov. Greg Abbott also spoke about the recent calls for energy conservation after several power generators went offline for unexpected maintenance.
Texas Republican Lawmakers Take Aim At Local Bail Practices This Legislative Session – Houston Public Media
Houston Public Media spoke with him through the courtesy of the Texas Jail Project and Brothers In Arms. "I've put in all kind of motions to get a bond reduction, PR bond," Evans said. If I'm going to do a bail bond bill, it's going to be comprehensive." It's unlikely any bail reform bill would pass without his support. Discussions of bail reform are sometimes muddled, with a tendency to conflate Harris County's misdemeanor bail reform — which has been in place since the adoption of Harris County's Rule 9 two years ago — with felony bail reform, which is still the subject of an ongoing court dispute.
houstonpublicmedia.orgAbbott Swears Texas Election Laws Need Reform, But Hidalgo Calls BS
Greg Abbott (center) and state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (right) think it was too easy to vote in 2020. Greg Abbott visited Houston on Monday to tout new legislation proposed by his Republican allies that he claimed would protect the integrity of Texas elections. Speaking alongside Republicans state Rep. Briscoe Cain of Deer Park and state Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Houston, Abbott swore that all the GOP wants to do is protect elections from voter fraud. “What we’ve seen in the past is that election fraud takes place. Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria thinks attempts to ban drive-thru voting may be racially motivated.
houstonpress.comGov. Abbott discusses election integrity legislation in Houston, talks about election fraud bill
Officials discussed election fraud and how they want to prevent it. Abbott has mentioned a number of times, especially during the 2020 election, that election fraud is “very real” and happens in different ways. Abbott did, however, say that former President Barack Obama prosecuted a voter fraud scheme in South Texas where cocaine was used to pay voter harvesters. “Election fraud is unacceptable.”AdA small group carrying signs protested against Senate Bill 7 outside Bettencourt’s office, calling the proposed bill voter suppression. “We should be focused on making voting more accessible and stop trying to create obstacles and distractions with unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud,” Turner said.
Republican Lawmakers File 7 ‘Election Integrity’ Bills That Could Limit Voter Access – Houston Public Media
When you look out in some of the counties surrounding Harris County, they don’t even go to 7 p.m. In Harris County, a multiagency, bipartisan election security task force found no cases of fraud in the most recent election. More than 10,000 Harris County voters cast ballots overnight on Oct. 29 of last year. Conservative activist Steve Hotze sued the county to limit early voting, and reject some in-person absentee ballots. "We just want the ability to provide the service that Harris County residents want,” she said.
houstonpublicmedia.orgPower failure: Texas Senators take ‘first step toward reform’
HOUSTON – After two days and two hearings, Texas state senators and representatives will begin deciding how to reform the embattled Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ERCOT, which manages the flow of electricity across our state. Magness testified ERCOT is asking each of the 185 power plants that went down during the storm to provide specific reasons for the outages. Nye testified his list did include natural gas facilities, but he learned during the storm his list was not the most current. Garland Power and Light COO Tom Hancock told state senators the company invested in a robust winterization effort following the 2011 winter storm that caused similar problems in Texas. Hancock said as a result none of the natural gas facilities in their territory went offline.
Lights may be on, but the suffering isn’t over
HOUSTON – Texas Senate and House hearings are only the beginning of the investigations into our state’s power grid failures during a blistering winter storm. Ten days after the winter storm blanketed Texas, Anderson still has no water in her Yorkdale neighborhood home in Northwest Houston. Like millions of Texans, Anderson lost power as temperatures dropped, pipes in the ceiling froze and then cracked. Hearings in the House and Senate will start the work to get those answers. We should have taken action then, what prevented that from happening, why did we not take the action?”
5 things for Houstonians to know for Tuesday, Feb. 2
Here are things to know for Tuesday, Feb. 2:1. Legislators have promised to back a so-called “heartbeat bill” that would bar abortions before many women know they are pregnant. Anti-abortion advocates have urged them to challenge the Roe v. Wade decision that established the right to an abortion. Registration for Memorial Hermann COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic in Sugar Land for those 65 and older now openMemorial Hermann has partnered with Fort Bend County to offer a COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land Wednesday, Feb. 3 to Saturday, Feb. 6. Additionally, the BBB warns that photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards shared on social media can help scammers create phony versions.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Crime Stoppers of Houston discuss ‘Caitlynne’s’ bill in honor of woman killed by husband
HOUSTON – Senator Paul Bettencourt and Crime Stoppers of Houston held a press conference on “Caitlynne’s” bill filing on Personal Recognizance Bonds (PR bonds) Monday. The bill would prevent defendants from release on multiple PR bonds. The press conference started at 10 a.m. at the Crime Stoppers of Houston Building and included several community leaders/officials. “Too many of our citizens have become victims of violent crime by habitual offenders who are continually released back to the community often on multiple PR bonds,” said Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious. According to Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers, since 2018, 90 victims have been killed in Harris County by defendants released on various PR and low-dollar felony bonds.
GOP Lawmakers Push Bill Banning Mass Mailing Of Absentee Ballot Applications – Houston Public Media
Over the summer, the Harris County Clerk’s Office tried to send mail-in ballot applications to all voters in response to the pandemic. Now, five state senators, including Conroe's Brandon Creighton and Houston's Paul Bettencourt, have filed a bill that would make it illegal to send unsolicited absentee ballot applications to registered voters. He alleged that upwards of $1 million of taxpayer's money was spent printing ballot applications that were then destroyed. Republican state Rep. Valoree Swanson, also of Houston, has filed a companion bill in the House. Subscribe to Today in Houston Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.
houstonpublicmedia.orgState senator files bill calling for legal action in connection with secret art collection inside Harris County shed
Friday’s announcement of proposed Senate Bill 252 comes after Channel 2 Investigates first exposed secret massive art collection being warehoused on the taxpayers’ dime, “Legally what this bill means is that I don’t think that what Precinct One Commissioner is doing is legal. I don’t think you can take a private Art collection, house it, spend public money, do private tours, I don’t think that is the right thing under the Texas Code,” said Bettencourt. The state senator out of District 7 doesn’t believe the actions taken by Ellis and his office is legal. Bettencourt said this bill is to ensure accountability at the state level if the Ogg’s office does nothing. Bettencourt indicated he cannot speak to federal operations, but he can speak to the state and its laws.
42% of HISD students failing one or more classes amid COVID-19 pandemic
Students in the Houston Independent School District -- the state’s largest school system -- are struggling academically and struggling far more than normal. It’s survival mode.”In a statement to KPRC 2, HISD confirmed that 42% of their students failed one or more classes in the first grading period of the fall, which was six weeks long. That grading period was nine weeks long and all in-person instruction. “Additionally, to support students who are facing academic challenges, interventions are in place during the school day. Also, high school students can attend virtual online classes for credit recovery.”Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a known critic of the school board, believes any solution needs to be hyper-focused on the students.
Harris County toll roads generate hundreds of millions a year. Hidalgo, commissioners changed how money will be used
HOUSTON – The Harris County’s toll road system is described as one of the best and most financially successful urban toll road systems in the country. The system, which includes the Sam Houston Tollway, Hardy Toll Road, Westpark Tollway, Tomball Tollway, and Katy Freeway Toll Lanes, covers 128 miles across the county. In 1983, Harris County voters approved the Hardy and Sam Houston toll roads with the intent that the toll money would be used for expansion, maintenance, and improvements. But last month, Judge Lina Hidalgo, along with County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia, passed a new measure from the Harris County Toll Road Authority, or HCTRA, to create a publicly funded corporation to fund the system. “Our tolls should be spent on the people of Harris County,” Hidalgo said.
Nearly 200 miles away from the eye of Laura, Houston area residents face hours of power loss
HOUSTON As Anthony Campbell puts it: Power runs a long way.Thursday night, parts of The Woodlands and Conroe, found out this truth the hard way. The loss of power the result Hurricane Lauras powerful landfall 200 miles away in Cameron, Louisiana, two nights ago. Man, I was really surprised, said Campbell in regards to the devastation in Louisiana linked to power outages in Montgomery and Galveston counties. In order to avoid losing the whole grid for the region, they redirected power away, which produced the blackouts in Texas. Entergy reported back at normal operations by Friday afternoon, with less than 200 customers in Conroe and The Woodlands still experiencing issues.
Property owners demand relief from property tax appraisals
Now, some homeowners are calling on the Harris County Appraisal District to cut taxpayers some slack. Taxpayers’ plea for relief“Here’s your stimulus check for $1,200; and here’s your bill for $4,000 for your property tax,” quipped retired southwest Houston homeowner Ed Hobson. “We have to follow the state tax code.”Barnett said the tax code requires that properties in Harris County be appraised on Jan. 1 of every year. Rather than changing the tax code and laws, he said taxing and other government agencies will have to be flexible. What you can do if your property appraisal increasedLike every year, you can protest your appraisal online using iSettle or iFile.
Harris County Judge Issues Stay at Home Order [UPDATED WITH ORDER]
Well it's not turn out the lights, but the party (if there was one scheduled) is definitely over in Harris County starting at one minute before midnight today. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in an early morning press conference today issued a mandatory stay-at-home, work-safe order effective through April 3, exempting only people working in certain industries including police, fire and health care workers. So I am issuing a stay home,work safe order for Harris County walking in lockstep with Mayor Turner, " the judge said. Today, he resisted the term lockdown, saying that changes in the situation compelled this next step and that it is really a stay-at-home order. He insisted that there have only been a few new cases in Harris County and that stricter measures restricting residents' freedom to move about are not needed.
houstonpress.comGOP Leaders Push Back Against Stay Home Orders Houston Public Media
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt argued that the orders, intended to halt the spread of the coronavirus, go too far. When Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she was ordering most county residents to stay in their homes, it came as a relief to many in the area. But some Republican leaders are pushing back against local stay home, work safe orders to stem the spread of coronavirus, including in Harris County. But State Sen. Paul Bettencourt said Harris Countys stay home order is too sweeping and lacks transparency. The Republican mayor of El Paso and the Republican judge of Collin County, among others, have each issued their own stay home orders.
houstonpublicmedia.orgNew statewide ‘Do Not Hire Registry’ shows teachers who’ve had inappropriate relationships with students
Schools across the state now have access to a list of teachers who have crossed the line with students in the past. The Texas Education Agency rolled out the ‘Do Not Hire Registry’ this week which serves as a database for employers. Also, it created a registry of individuals who are not eligible for hire in a Texas public school based on misconduct or criminal history. In 2017 the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 7 which addressed inappropriate teacher student relationships and added more penalties. This piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1256 was amended to Senate Bill 3 and cost about $1.7 million.
Brady: Impeachment getting in the way of progress
KPRCHOUSTON - U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) represents the Eighth Congressional District in Southeast Texas and said his constituents are not focused on impeachment as a high priority. Brady said the impeachment inquiry takes away from potential progress and said the Democrats are wrong. "If you've got great evidence and you're running a fair process why do it in secret?" Brady talks about much more in this week's program and in this Newsmakers EXTRA video. More informationU.S. Rep Kevin Bradyhttps://kevinbrady.house.gov936-441-5700Twitter: @RepKevinBradyState Sen. Paul Bettencourthttp://bit.ly/34AULwu713-464-0282Twitter: @TeamBettencourtCopyright 2019 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Proposition 4 explained: What you need to know about the income tax question before Election Day
One proposed amendment, Proposition 4, would make it more challenging for future state lawmakers to impose a personal income tax. 71% of Texans oppose an individual state income tax, according to a 2019 poll by the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Tribune. Proposition 4 would throw out those stipulations and replace them with language that simply prohibits the Legislature from enacting any individual income tax. "If you're against the state income tax, you need to vote yes for Proposition 4," Bettencourt said. If you're against state income tax, you vote yes on Prop 4."
TEA says HISD should change its whole board
Report (via @TeamBettencourt) says @HoustonISD Board shows inability to appropriately govern... and cites procurement issues. pic.twitter.com/8M8onLW5sA Ted Oberg (@TedABC13) October 31, 2019HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Investigators with the Texas Education Agency are recommending replacing the HISD board of trustees with an appointed board of managers, according to a Texas state senator.Sen. Paul says that the school board meetings aren't serving our children well. We've given enough time and I'm confident there will be a new board in 2020. "Bettencourt told 13 Investigates' Ted Oberg Thursday night that a final decision will be made in January.
abc13.comTexas education officials recommend replacing Houston ISDs elected school board
The Texas Education Agency is recommending that the state take over Houston Independent School District the states largest public school system because of its elected school boards demonstrated inability to appropriately govern, according to a 318-page final investigative report sent to lawmakers Wednesday. Hewitt recommended Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath appoint a board of managers to oversee the school district, replacing the elected school board. The request argues replacing an elected board would disenfranchise voters of color, harming a school district that is majority black and Hispanic. RELATED Houston ISD cancels classes for Friday, Sept. 20 Houston ISD has canceled classes for Friday, Sept. 20, according to an announcement on its website. Morath will make the final determination on whether to replace Houston ISDs board.
communityimpact.comWhat you should know about Prop 4 on November's ballot
Prop 4 would throw out those stipulations and replace them with language that simply prohibits the Legislature from enacting any individual income tax. "There already was a hurdle to get state income tax in Texas," said Rice University professor Mark Jones. Critics contend that Prop 4 is unnecessary because the mechanism to create an income tax is already cumbersome. Recent polls show that more than 70% of Texas voters oppose a state income tax. If you're against state income tax, you vote yes on Prop 4."
Improvement, but not enough: HISD facing near certain state takeover on multiple fronts
The problem is the board of trustees and everybody out there knows it, and that's what needs to be replaced. "State Rep. Dan Huberty, also a Houston Republican and chair of the Texas House Education Committee, echoed Bettencourt's assessment. State accountability ratings aren't finalized until November, but HISD does not appear to be fighting the accountability ratings.According to district sources, HISD has elected not to appeal. "Even in the midst of a Thursday morning celebration of, current HISD board member Jolanda Jones said given the level of board dysfunction, a state takeover may be the lesser of two evils. The board's president wrote recently in a Houston Chronicle op-ed that "HISD needs a fresh start.
abc13.comTEA recommends HISD school board to be replaced by state-appointed governing team
HOUSTON - The Texas Education Agency is recommending that the Houston Independent School District school board be replaced by a state-appointed governing team. HISDs school board has been under investigation for months regarding allegations of misconduct and violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act. School board officials have until Aug. 15 to respond to the preliminary report put out by the TEA. School board responseThe board needs to have its day in court. Whats nextThe HISD School Board has until Aug. 15 to respond to the report.
Passed bills to affect property taxes, schools finance and flood mitigation projects
At the 86th legislative session, state officials tackled big topics this year including property taxes, school finances and flood mitigation. SB2: Property tax reformWhat it does: Senate Bill 2 creates an online database where information about property tax rates will be accessible for property owners, said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, author of the bill. He expects property owners of a $179,00 home to see their property tax bills decrease by about $140 in 2019 and about $293 in 2020. An additional $5.1 billion will help lower local district property tax rates. School districts cannot collect 2.5% more property tax revenue than the previous year without voter approval.
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