(StatePoint)

What do you do with your unused prescription pills and over-the-counter medications? Do you throw them away? Flush them down the toilet? Simply leave them in your cabinet for a rainy day? Doing any of the above can provoke tragic consequences including enabling the drugs to get into the wrong hands or find their way into drinking water and irrigation supplies. That’s why it’s crucial to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medications and nutritional supplements. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, one-quarter of first-time illegal drug users 12 years and older began by using prescription drugs non-medically. Prescription drugs are abused far more frequently than illicit drugs for one simple reason: they can be found in almost every home, free for the taking. What’s more, drug overdose deaths, mostly related to addictive painkillers, rose for the 11th straight year in 2010, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while it sounds quick and easy to flush pills down the toilet or throw them in the wastebasket, this method can be harmful to the environment and to people’s health. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly 80 percent of recently tested rivers contained traces of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, steroids, hormones and contraceptives. So how can the average person go from being part of the problem to being part of the solution? Begin by examining every prescription you bring into your home. Ask your doctor to ensure he or she is prescribing in the amount you will use. Consider locking your medicine cabinet or moving prescriptions to a secure location, safe from the unwelcome explorations of children or intruders. Remove any leftover drugs from your home promptly and dispose of them in a way that has as little environmental impact as possible.  “Drug take-back programs are a great way to get rid of unused medications,” says John Waffenschmidt, Vice President of Community Affairs and Environmental Science at Covanta Energy, the largest owner and operator of “Energy-from-Waste” facilities in North America. Covanta works with organizations to provide safe disposal of medications collected by drug take-back programs. The company does so free of charge, safely disposing of drugs at its facilities. Since its inception in 2010, Covanta’s Rx4Safety program is responsible for having destroyed more than 600,000 pounds of unwanted medications nationwide. Partnerships like these have resulted in the proliferation of successful drug take-back programs that allow prescription drugs to be dropped off at secure locations, such as police stations or at special events held throughout the year, for transport to facilities where they can be destroyed safely. If you think you may have unwanted prescription pills in your cabinet, take the time to collect them for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take-Back Day on April 27, 2013.  More information about responsible medication disposal can be found at www.CovantaEnergy.com/rx4safety. Take a positive step forward in ensuring your community is safer and cleaner.

(AUSTIN)

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs today reminded business owners that April 15 is the deadline to file property tax renditions with their county appraisal districts. To render is to list the taxable inventory, furniture and fixtures, machinery and equipment and other property a business owned or managed as of Jan. 1. The appraisal district may use the information to set property values. “Rendition helps the appraisal district appraise property fairly and accurately,” Combs said. “If some businesses are not paying their share of property tax, it places a greater tax burden on other business owners and homeowners.” Rendering allows property owners to record their opinion of their property’s value and ensures that the appraisal district sends them a notice before changing a value on their property. Owners do not have to render exempt property, such as church property or a farmer’s equipment used for farming. If more than one appraisal district appraises a property, the property owner should render in each appraisal district office. Combs also reminds owners whose property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year that they may file a special decreased value report that could lower their final tax bills for this year. Property owners have until April 15 to file the decreased value report, which indicates their property’s condition on Jan. 1, 2013. Rendition forms and decreased value report forms are available from county appraisal district offices statewide or they can be downloaded on the Comptroller’s website at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/02-forms.html. For more information about rendering property, deadline extensions, penalties and rendition forms, taxpayers may contact the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division at 1-800-252-9121 and press “2” to access the menu and then press “1” to contact the Information Services Team or visit the Comptroller’s website at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/.

TEMPLE, TEXAS

April 2013

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that applications are being accepted from qualified non-profit and public organizations (intermediaries) to provide loans to support rural businesses and community development groups. Funding, which is intended to spark business expansion and create jobs will be made available through USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. “This program is a part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing effort to leverage private investments with public funds to create jobs and expand economic opportunity for rural entrepreneurs,” Vilsack said. “Intermediaries serve as a critical component to boosting local economies.” “The IRP creates strategic partnerships with local governments and organizations to expand capital markets that will improve rural businesses and increase economic development,” said Paco Valentin, Texas State Director of USDA Rural Development. The Intermediary Relending Program is USDA Rural Development's primary program for capitalizing revolving loan funds. USDA lends money to economic development intermediaries (nonprofits and public bodies) who in turn re-lend the funds as commercial loans to rural businesses (ultimate recipients) that might not otherwise be able to obtain such financing. The repayment of the ultimate recipients’ loans allows the intermediary to continue to make more loans to new recipients, supporting sustainable economic development. Since President Obama took office, the program has created or saved an estimated 20,000 jobs. Funds are used to assist with financing business and economic development activity to create or retain jobs in disadvantaged and remote communities. Intermediaries are encouraged to work with state and regional representatives and in partnership with other public and private organizations that can provide complimentary resources. For more information about the Intermediary Relending Program, and to learn about application deadlines, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_irp.html. For information on how to apply, see page 20883 of the April 8, 2013 Federal Register (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-08/html/2013-08186.htm). Applications and forms may be obtained from any Rural Development State Office. President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $172 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $700 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.