Monthly Archives: June 2015

Great Texas Birding Classic Awards $25,000 in Conservation Grants

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Great Texas Birding Classic, an all ages statewide birding event, has generated $844,500 for 95 on-the-ground habitat acquisition, restoration and enhancement projects during the last 19 years. This year’s tournament, which saw a record 530 participants representing 100 teams, contributed $25,000 from registration fees and sponsorships to fund conservation grants.

Texas condo and townhome sales slow during first half of 2015

Condominium and townhome sales slowed in Texas’s major metro areas in the first half of 2015, according to the 2015 Texas Condominium Mid-Year Sales Report. Released today by the Texas Association of REALTORS®, the report shows that condominium (condo) and townhome sales in Texas’s four major markets remained relatively consistent with condo sales in the first half of 2014.

Olson Applauds SCOTUS Decision on EPA Emission Rule

Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22), Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Power Subcommittee, today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that stripped the basis of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) sweeping rule on mercury and other emissions from power plants in the United States

Congressman Al Green Hosts Congressional Housing and Banking Public Forum Featuring Congressman Emanuel Cleaver,...

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, Congressman Al Green (TX-9), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, held a Congressional Housing and Banking Public Forum.

Governor Abbott Statement On SCOTUS EPA Ruling

Governor Greg Abbott today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to reject the EPA’s regulations on power plants. “The Supreme Court rightly held that the EPA violated the law when it imposed a multi-billion-dollar regulation on power plants without considering whether the cost was justified. While today’s decision is good news for Texas

Thermal Energy Corporation in Houston, Texas Earns ENERGY STAR Award for Carbon Pollution Reductions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) of Houston, Texas with the ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award. TECO substantially reduced emissions of carbon dioxide at its plant that serves 19.3 million square feet of building space at the Texas Medical Center—world’s largest medical center complex.

Frequently Asked Questions on Disaster Assistance for Noncitizens

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide grants to help pay for rent, emergency home repairs, personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources

“Operation Dry Water” Nationwide Boating Under the Influence Crackdown This Weekend in Texas

Thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States, including Texas Game Wardens, will be on heightened alert for those violating boating under the influence laws during the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, June 26-28. Operation Dry Water is a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign, focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol

SBA Provides Low-Interest Loans to Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans are the primary source of federal long-term disaster recovery funds for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

CONGRESSMAN RUBÉN HINOJOSA ANNOUNCES SBA OFFERING LOANS FOR STORM DAMAGE

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa announced the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be offering residents and small business owners, who had storm damage from May 4 through June 16, 2015, loans at a low interest rate.

CONGRESSMAN RUBÉN HINOJOSA APPLAUDS SUPREME COURT’S UPHOLDING OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND HOUSING LAW

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, along with many of his colleagues who supported President Obama’s plan for the Affordable Care Act were thankful that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act agreeing with President Obama’s administration that government subsidies that make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans should be available to all.

Edwards Statement On Supreme Court’s Texas Department Of Housing V. Inclusive Communities Project Decision

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court issued its 5 to 4 ruling affirming the use of an important tool in fighting against housing discrimination.

Supreme Court Upholds Disparate Impact Standard for Violations of the Fair Housing Act

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court today issued its opinion ruling that disparate impact claims may be used to support plaintiffs’ claims of alleged Fair Housing Act (FHA) violations. Justice Kennedy wrote the Court’s opinion, joined by Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan in the case of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. The decision remands the case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court’s opinion.

Final Phase of Dallas Senior Living Community Opens with Help of Affordable Housing Grant

The final phase of a senior living community opened Tuesday in Dallas, thanks in part to a $500,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from Amegy Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas)

Lawyers’ Committee and Washington Lawyers’ Committee Applaud Supreme Court’s Decision Upholding the Fair Housing...

The national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs applaud today’s decision by the Supreme Court in Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project (TDHCA) holding that disparate impact claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Congressman Al Green Applauds Supreme Court’s Ruling to Uphold Tool Used to Fight Invidious...

On Thursday, June 25, 2015, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) released a statement on the Supreme Court's ruling on the legal doctrine known as Disparate Impact in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, et al v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in San Marcos, Texas

A second State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Hays County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Hensarling: ‘Disparate Impact’ Ruling to Have Negative Consequences for All Americans

Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the use of the controversial “disparate impact” legal theory, saying those who file housing discrimination lawsuits don’t have to show they were victims of intentional discrimination

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Texas...

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch released the following statement today after the Supreme Court ruling in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project Inc

Commissioner Miller Announces $1 Million Grant Award to Grow Jobs in Polk County

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has awarded $1 million to Polk County, located northeast of Houston, for infrastructure improvements and engineering services through the Texas Capital Fund (TCF). The award will support the creation of a wood-product manufacturing facility operated by Corrigan OSB, LLC and create 100 new, full-time jobs

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Benefits of Hiring an Accident Attorney

The Benefits of Hiring an Accident Attorney

Road accidents are more common that one might think. Did you know that according to Texas Department of Transportation, 1 crash occurs every 59 seconds in Texas? In the unfortunate situation of a road crash, your injuries are not the only thing you need to worry about.