TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalMile marker 420 becomes 419.99 to thwart thieves
DENVER —
Colorado officials think a difference of one-hundredth of a mile will be enough to stop thieves from stealing the mile marker 420 sign along Interstate 70.
Amy Ford of the Colorado Department of Transportation says the "MILE 420" sign near Stratton was stolen for the last time sometime in the last year, and officials replaced it with a sign that says "MILE 419.99."
Ford says it's the only "420" sign to be replaced in the state that recently legalized recreational marijuana. Most highways aren't long enough to need one.
The number "420" has long been associated with marijuana, though its origins as a shorthand for pot are murky.
More at http://www.statesman.com/news/ap/top-news/mile-marker-420-becomes-41999-to-thwart-thieves/ncjq5/ .
Greg Abbott: 'We don’t need Barack Obama’s Promise Zones'
Attorney General Greg Abbott Friday dismissed the Obama administration’s new Promise Zone program, which has targeted five communities, including San Antonio’s Eastside neighborhood, for revitalization.
“The truth is, we don’t need Barack Obama’s Promise Zones; we already have Promise Zones and they are called entrepreneurs,” Abbott told the closing luncheon of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s three-day Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature.
“Entrepreneurs and free markets have created far more jobs than any government program ever has or ever will and Texas will continue to be the Promise Zone, the land of opportunity, because we will maintain our focus on policies that promote real job growth, policies that limit the size of government, that keep taxes low, that ensure that regulations remain smart and ensure we maintain the right to work laws that have enabled Texas to avoid the disasters of places like Detroit,” said Abbott.
As described by Shaun Donovan, the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will administer the Promise Zone program, “Federal agencies will be working with each other, and local leaders, like never before to give distressed communities — urban, rural and tribal — the assets they need to succeed, like good schools, safe streets and quality housing.”
More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/greg-abbott-we-dont-need-barack-obamas-promise-zon/ncjbX/ .
[font color=green]After reading the comments to this article, I wonder whether anyone is going to vote for Greg.[/font]
Rick Santorum warns fellow Republicans: ‘We live in a bubble’
Republicans “live in a bubble,” former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum told the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature Thursday, and are detached from the pop culture and concerns of the average Americans whose allegiance they need to prevail nationally.
“We live in a bubble. We don’t realize what’s going on,” said the once and perhaps future presidential candidate who is now head of a movie studio based in Flower Mound that produces Christian entertainment. “How many of you watch prime time network television? I suspect none of you.”
He told his audience, which will also be hearing Thursday from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, that they also tend assume everyone shares their drive.
“Republicans by and large are Type A personalities who want to climb to the top of the ladder, ” said Santorum. But, “a lot of people want to be good simple folks, go to work, 9 to 5.”
More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/rick-santorum-warns-fellow-republicans-we-live-in-/nchPB/ .
Barely a plan, but enough to excite leaders about Texas Stadium site’s future
IRVING — Ever since the Dallas Cowboys’ old home imploded into a city-owned dirt lot, dreamers have been coming to City Hall with designs for its future.
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The latest pitch is barely a plan. The Irving City Council voted Thursday to enter six months of exclusive talks with OliverMcMillan while the company figures out what it might build where the stadium stood.
But the San Diego firm has deep pockets, a glossy résumé, and a serious interest in the site. And that has many Irving officials more hopeful than they’ve been since the stadium fell.
“What really struck me was seeing nearly a 90-acre site in the middle of your city, in the middle of this major metropolis, just waiting to have a future,” OliverMcMillan’s CEO, Dene Oliver, told the council Wednesday.
More at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/irving/headlines/20140109-barely-a-plan-but-enough-to-excite-leaders-about-texas-stadium-sites-future.ece .
Judge orders forfeiture of Texas polygamist ranch (related to Warren Jeffs)
SAN ANGELO, Texas —
A judge has ordered the forfeiture of a polygamist group's West Texas ranch to the state of Texas.
State District Jude Barbara Walther's order came Monday in Eldorado after the ranch owners failed to appear for the hearing. The San Angelo Standard-Times (http://bit.ly/1cHAvcK) reports Walther authorized the Schleicher (SHLYE'-kur) County Sheriff's Office to enter the Yearning for Zion Ranch and inventory the property.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints formerly owned the ranch. The Texas Attorney General's Office filed to seize the ranch in 2012, citing numerous sexual assaults of children committed there. The state has prosecuted 12 male members of the polygamist sect, including leader Warren Jeffs. He is serving a life sentence plus 20 years for sexually assaulting two girls, ages 12 and 15.
Source: http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/judge-orders-forfeiture-of-texas-polygamist-ranch/nchqb/
Federal judge rejects Texas attorney general’s effort to consolidate same-sex marriage cases
Attorney General Greg Abbott will have to do a Texas two-step as he tries to defend the state’s same-sex marriage bans in federal court.
Following a hearing in Austin, a federal judge today rejected a motion from Abbott’s office to consolidate three separate lawsuits brought by same-sex couples who allege the marriage bans violate the U.S. Constitution.
The decision from U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks means the cases will proceed separately toward trial in Austin and San Antonio.
Neel Lane, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits, said he was pleased with the decision because it means a hearing set for Feb. 12 in San Antonio will go forward. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia has scheduled the hearing to consider the couples’ motion for a preliminary injunction, which would bar the state from enforcing the marriage bans pending trial. The case is known as DeLeon v. Perry.
More at http://www.lonestarq.com/update-federal-judge-rejects-attorney-generals-motion-consolidate-sex-marriage-cases/ .
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.
Federal judge rejects Texas attorney general’s effort to consolidate same-sex marriage cases
Attorney General Greg Abbott will have to do a Texas two-step as he tries to defend the state’s same-sex marriage bans in federal court.
Following a hearing in Austin, a federal judge today rejected a motion from Abbott’s office to consolidate three separate lawsuits brought by same-sex couples who allege the marriage bans violate the U.S. Constitution.
The decision from U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks means the cases will proceed separately toward trial in Austin and San Antonio.
Neel Lane, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits, said he was pleased with the decision because it means a hearing set for Feb. 12 in San Antonio will go forward. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia has scheduled the hearing to consider the couples’ motion for a preliminary injunction, which would bar the state from enforcing the marriage bans pending trial. The case is known as DeLeon v. Perry.
More at http://www.lonestarq.com/update-federal-judge-rejects-attorney-generals-motion-consolidate-sex-marriage-cases/ .
Cross-posted in the LGBT Group.
Davis to unveil Texas education proposals
ARLINGTON, Texas —
State Sen. Wendy Davis is proposing several ideas to recruit new public school teachers in Texas, including guaranteeing admission to state colleges for high school juniors in the top fifth of their classes.
The Democratic front-runner for governor announced the first of her education proposals Thursday in North Texas.
Davis says high school students in the top 20 percent of their classes should be guaranteed admission to the University of Texas at Austin or other state institutions and a job teaching in a state school after graduation.
In a campaign press release, she said the state should forgive one year of student loan debt for every teacher who works two years in a qualifying school. She also wants to boost the number of teacher's aides and school counselors in the state.
Source: http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/education/davis-to-unveil-texas-education-proposals/ncgxw/
Rep. Jason Villalba (R) imitates Poacher Perry to lure Sriracha plant to Texas
By now we've all heard about the ongoing saga of the Huy Fong Sriracha plant, which was forced to temporarily shut down part of its production due to complaints from nearby residents about fumes emanating from the plant. We've moaned and groaned and wrung our hands, fearful that we might be deprived of the spicy red sauce on which we've grown so dependent. And we've whined a lot. Could California be losing a great thing?
The Texas state representative for House District 114, which encompasses part of northern Dallas, isn't content to sit back and wait for the Sriracha shortage to grip the nation. Instead, he's gotten proactive, inviting David Tran, chief executive officer of Huy Fong Foods, Inc., to move the plant to Texas.
On Tuesday, Rep. Jason Villalba sent a letter to Tran in which he wrote, "As a public official and a corporate attorney for small businesses, I am extremely troubled by excessive government interference in the operations of private, job-creating businesses like Huy Fong Foods. You have worked too hard and have helped too many people to let government bureaucrats shut down your thriving business."
-snip-
In the letter, Villalba listed the following as good reasons for Huy Fong Foods to come to the Lone Star State:
Texas has the finest distribution channels in North America - based in the center of the United States, and nearly equidistant between Mexico and Canada;
According to Forbes Magazine, Texas has the best climate in the country to run and grow a business because of its low regulations and limited government interference;
Texas is a right-to-work state with a sophisticated and plentiful labor pool - ensuring that companies have access to good, well-trained employees to grow their business;
Texas appreciates and supports business owners. We do NOT believe in interfering in the internal operations of private businesses.
More at http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2014/01/state_rep_in_dallas_invites_sr.php .
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.
Rep. Jason Villalba (R) imitates Poacher Perry to lure Sriracha plant to Texas
By now we've all heard about the ongoing saga of the Huy Fong Sriracha plant, which was forced to temporarily shut down part of its production due to complaints from nearby residents about fumes emanating from the plant. We've moaned and groaned and wrung our hands, fearful that we might be deprived of the spicy red sauce on which we've grown so dependent. And we've whined a lot. Could California be losing a great thing?
The Texas state representative for House District 114, which encompasses part of northern Dallas, isn't content to sit back and wait for the Sriracha shortage to grip the nation. Instead, he's gotten proactive, inviting David Tran, chief executive officer of Huy Fong Foods, Inc., to move the plant to Texas.
On Tuesday, Rep. Jason Villalba sent a letter to Tran in which he wrote, "As a public official and a corporate attorney for small businesses, I am extremely troubled by excessive government interference in the operations of private, job-creating businesses like Huy Fong Foods. You have worked too hard and have helped too many people to let government bureaucrats shut down your thriving business."
-snip-
In the letter, Villalba listed the following as good reasons for Huy Fong Foods to come to the Lone Star State:
Texas has the finest distribution channels in North America - based in the center of the United States, and nearly equidistant between Mexico and Canada;
According to Forbes Magazine, Texas has the best climate in the country to run and grow a business because of its low regulations and limited government interference;
Texas is a right-to-work state with a sophisticated and plentiful labor pool - ensuring that companies have access to good, well-trained employees to grow their business;
Texas appreciates and supports business owners. We do NOT believe in interfering in the internal operations of private businesses.
More at http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2014/01/state_rep_in_dallas_invites_sr.php .
Cross-posted in the California Group.
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Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,128
