Yearly Archives: 2016

MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. today announced that the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division and the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division held MERS’ assignments were valid, and granted motions to dismiss in two cases.

At the request of the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has added Henderson, Limestone, Shelby and Tyler to the federal disaster declaration of March 19. They join the nine counties already approved for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance: Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Hood, Jasper, Marion, Newton, Orange and Parker.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined a bipartisan group of 44 current and former Senators and 164 current and former House members from 38 states as well as the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief in support of the Obama administration’s historic ‘Clean Power Plan’ (CPP). The CPP will reduce carbon pollution and address climate change, save consumers $155 billion by 2030, create jobs, and prevent 90,000 childhood asthma attacks through 2030‎

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded an initial payment of $1,875,000 to the state of Texas for the city of Rowlett for debris removal. A tornado swept through the city on Dec. 26, 2015, along a 3.5 mile track. Storm debris blocked the paths of emergency vehicles and the general public and created significant danger to motorists. The city of Rowlett removed debris to eliminate threats to public health and safety.

Texas home remodeling projects in 2015 were those that increased a home’s sustainability, according to the Texas Remodel Valuation Report released today by the Texas Association of REALTORS®. The report analyzes the project recoup costs in 2015 for 30 different remodeling projects nationwide, in the West South Central U.S., and in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, McAllen, and San Antonio.

Free pre- and post-purchase education, mortgage credit courses result in more informed buyers positioned for success. First time home buying is among the biggest and most complex decisions most of us will make in our lives. Besides the financial commitment, buying a home also comes with a whole new world of unfamiliar terms and responsibilities.

Rep. John R. Carter (R-TX-31) joined Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX-) along with Texas Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and 18 representatives in filing an amicus brief in the case of Aderholt et al. v. Bureau of Land Management et al. The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of landowners along the Red River by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, seeks to protect the landowners’ property rights from claims by the federal government’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Eligible individuals and business owners in Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Hood, Jasper, Marion, Newton, Orange and Parker counties who register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may receive an automated phone call from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s recorded message gives instructions on how to request an application for a low-interest disaster loan.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today visited the Kids R Fun child care center in San Antonio and planted a garden full of zucchini, basil, tomatoes and bell peppers with young Texans enrolled at the center. Kids R Fun participates in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP), as well as TDA’s Establishing 3E’s Grant program to go above and beyond to incorporate best practices in providing nutrient-rich foods, exercise and a supportive child care environment

On Monday, March 28, 2016, Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, will clock in bright and early to join the Dallas area staff of Time Warner Cable to learn firsthand about the telecommunications industry and assist in cable installation services for DFW Metroplex residents. After participating in an abbreviated training, Veasey will perform warehouse equipment check-ins and assist in two cable and high-speed internet installations for TX-33 residents

Congressman Roger Williams (R – Texas), along with 21 members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, today filed an amicus brief in the federal district court in Wichita Falls in support of landowners whose private properties along a 116 mile stretch of the Red River are currently in dispute with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) along with Texas Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and 19 representatives today filed an amicus brief in the case of Aderholt et al. v. Bureau of Land Management et al. The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of landowners along the Red River by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, seeks to protect the landowners’ property rights from claims by the federal government’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Tech jobs are flowing to Texas as businesses flee California's high taxes, burdensome regulations and unaffordable housing. During SXSW Interactive, Austin is the undisputed capital of digital and tech; it's also the nation's top city for tech job growth, creative job growth and startups year-round.

Texas housing demand and new home development remained high last year, while median household income for Texas homebuyers decreased slightly, according to the Annual Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report released today by the Texas Association of REALTORS®.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - (RealEstateRama) -- This Week – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and co-founder and...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced the state has requested a stay preventing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing draconian new regulations until after a Texas lawsuit challenging the new rules is decided in court. Texas filed suit against the EPA in February after it rejected Texas’ 7-year-old proposed revision to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) for reducing regional haze

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's disaster declaration issued for the State of Texas.

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) introduced legislation today to rein in the power of federal administrative agencies and to ensure that unelected bureaucrats don’t have the ability to effectively create laws.

The Division of Workers’ Compensation and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Small Business Development Center (UTPB-SBDC) are offering an educational seminar, Texas Workers’ Compensation 101 for Medical Office Staff, at the UTPB-SBDC, CEED Building, FM 1788 and Hwy 191 in Midland, Texas on April 5, 2016. The seminar will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The registration fee is $50.00 per person and includes a continental breakfast and lunch

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro today announced $142 million will be awarded to Texas communities for disaster recovery efforts following significant flooding in the spring of 2015 as well as last fall due to Hurricane Patricia. The funds will help to meet remaining unmet housing, economic development, and infrastructure needs that resulted from thousands of homes and small businesses being damaged or destroyed.