On January 25, 1839 the official flag of Texas was adopted by the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas. It specified the look of the enduring Lone Star Flag that we all know and love right now. The colours had been chosen to suggest sure attributes: crimson for braveness, white for purity and liberty, and blue for loyalty. The Texas flag is the one flag of an American state that beforehand served as a flag for an impartial nation.
Listed here are 5 issues taking place round your state:
1. Beginning pay at state hospitals and state supported residing facilities will increase
The Texas Well being and Human Companies Fee (HHSC) introduced it’s growing salaries and beginning pay at state hospitals and state supported residing facilities to fight staffing shortages and produce hospital beds again on-line. HHSC mentioned there are 700 state hospital beds offline on account of a scarcity of staffers. The fee is hoping to recruit and appeal to employees, cut back vacancies, and produce extra beds again on-line. There are roughly 1,805 openings in state hospitals and a couple of,137 openings in state supported residing facilities. Registered nurses with three years’ expertise may have beginning salaries as excessive has $90,000 per yr. Psychiatric nursing assistants and direct help professionals would begin between $17.50 and $21.00 an hour relying on expertise. Present staff are additionally receiving wage will increase.
2. Invoice filed to make catalytic converter theft a state felony
Senator John Whitmire and Senator Carol Alvarado collectively filed Senate Invoice 224 which seeks to extend the legal penalty for catalytic converter theft. For the previous a number of years, there was a marked improve in thefts of catalytic converters. Even when thieves are caught in possession of stolen catalytic converters it may be tough to show the case. This invoice seeks to extend the penalty for stealing catalytic converters to a state jail felony and makes it simpler for legislation enforcement to cost those that possess catalytic converters unlawfully. The invoice provides extra penalties for criminals who stole catalytic converters whereas in possession of a firearm. Criminals participating in catalytic converter theft have grow to be violent and there have been many tales from across the state of Texans being injured or killed in the course of the theft. It’s time to give legislation enforcement extra instruments to fight these violent crimes.
3. Senate committee assignments introduced
This week Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick launched committee assignments for the 88th Legislature. I used to be honored to be reappointed as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and stay a member of Senate Finance, Enterprise and Commerce, Native Authorities, and Redistricting Committees. The Senate Finance Committee will start holding hearings subsequent week to begin the finances course of. Every state company will come earlier than the committee and talk about their appropriations request with the committee. Members of the committee may have the chance to ask questions and get additional clarification on particulars of the finances earlier than additional deliberations start.
4. Afghan soldier arrested as US-Mexico border has federal immigration fees dropped
Abdul Wasi Safi is a former Afghan particular forces intelligence officer who labored immediately with US forces in Afghanistan. Throughout the collapse of the Afghan authorities, he was unable to flee the nation on any of the US army flights out of Kabul. He grew to become a goal of the Taliban as soon as they took over the nation. He went into hiding for months earlier than he trekked throughout nations and continents to make it to the US-Mexico border in an try to hitch his brother who lives in Houston as a US citizen. He was apprehended by federal authorities and charged with a legal misdemeanor. He has spent almost 4 months in a detention middle, however now an assistant US legal professional requested the choose this week to dismiss the case in opposition to him within the curiosity of justice and the choose agreed. He’ll now proceed on his journey towards asylum and can hopefully be launched and reunited along with his brother quickly.
5. Jim and Margaret Perkins honored for larger schooling initiatives
This week it was my pleasure to honor Jim and Margaret Perkins on the Senate flooring for all of their contributions to our communities, particular in larger schooling. This yr, they had been acknowledged with the 2023 Texas Greater Schooling Distinguished Service Award. Leaders from greater than 100 establishments of upper schooling selected them for his or her work supporting East Texas college students, establishments, and communities. Beginning in 2014, the Perkins labored with Tyler Junior School to determine a scholarship program for native highschool graduates often known as the “TJC Promise,” which has supported a whole lot of scholars pursue post-secondary schooling. Congratulations to the Perkins for this great achievement!
