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February 2013 (43)
By Sen. Carlos Uresti
You can do just about anything on the Internet these days — look at your street from space, pay your bills, trace your family history, or buy a car. But there's one thing you can't do online in Texas: register to vote. That's something I want to change. Senate Bill 315, one of the first bills I filed for the 83rd session, would add voter registration to the increasing number of government services and functions available online, making it more convenient for Texans to participate in the electoral process. Currently 12 states offer online paperless voter registration, two others are in the process of implementing laws to do so, and legislation is pending in ten other states. I think it's time that Texas joined them. Arizona led the way with the first online voter registration program in 2002, and it has proved to be a success. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Arizona's secretary of state reports that more than 70 percent of all voter registrations are now performed online. In just the first two years that online registration was available, Arizona saw a 9.5 percent increase in the number of people signing up to vote. There is a cost benefit as well from eliminating the data entry process. According to a 2010 report, "Online Voter Registration: Case Studies in Arizona and Washington," each paper registration costs 83 cents, compared to 3 cents for registering online, which also increased the accuracy of voter rolls. Under my bill, eligible Texas voters could register online if they possess a valid driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety. For those who do not have such documents, a website would provide a convenient way to register that minimizes typographical and transcription errors by submitting the voter's information on a mail-in card. Support is growing for online registration in Texas, including those who actually do the work. The Texas Association of Election Administrators included the proposal on its legislative wish list. Participating in the electoral process is a fundamental right of every American, and government should do all it can to encourage citizens to take advantage of that right. Online voter registration would make voting easier and more convenient, boost voter rolls, encourage young adults to get involved in the political process, and lead to greater turnout on Election Day. Bringing the voter registration process into the 21st Century would be great for everyone.
San Antonio
The calf scramble was held, February 19 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. 4-H and FFA youth competed for $800 certificates to purchase breeding animals to exhibit in the 2014 San Antonio Junior Livestock Show. Twelve certificates were awarded this afternoon to those who caught a calf! One such winner was Jose G. Chapa from Eagle Pass, Texas. Chapa is 15 years old and his hobbies include playing football, working out and showing! With his winnings from this afternoon’s performance, he is undecided as to what animal to purchase for next year. In pursuit of its mission “Helping Youth Today So That Agriculture Can Grow Tomorrow,” the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has committed more than $123 million to youth education since 1984.
HIDALGO, TEXAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a male and female who were wanted from the McAllen Police Department in connection with an alleged armed robbery.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 20, 2013, CBP-OFO officers at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge encountered Nieves Marie Mireles, age 24, a U.S. citizen from Donna, Texas driving a blue 2008 GMC Sierra pickup truck. Officers immediately secured her and the vehicle as preliminary queries indicated that the vehicle was stolen. Further queries in secondary confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen the night before and that Ms. Mireles is alleged to have been involved in the incident where it was taken at gunpoint from a McAllen woman at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital parking lot.
Approximately two hours later, a gray 2006 Dodge Charger driven by Gerardo Valente Fuentes, age 28, a U.S. citizen from Pharr, Texas arrived at the same border crossing and he too was immediately secured after a preliminary query by CBP officers at primary indicated that he was a possible wanted fugitive. In secondary, officers confirmed that Mr. Fuentes is alleged to have been involved in the armed carjacking incident along with Ms. Mireles.
CBP-OFO officers arrested both individuals and subsequently released them to the custody of McAllen P.D. officers who also took both vehicles.
“We were able to apprehend these two armed robbery suspects due to our ability to query everyone seeking entry into the United States,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “They will now face the consequences of their alleged actions through the judicial system.”
AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry has appointed three members to The University of Texas System Board of Regents for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2019.
“I deeply appreciate the dedication of each member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents, who are charged with overseeing the universities within the system. These volunteers sacrifice time away from their families and their careers on behalf of past, current and future students, enhancing the mission of the system and ensuring academic excellence and accountability to taxpayers,” said Gov. Perry. “The efficiencies and reforms taking place at The University of Texas System and on each individual campus, such as offering a four-year tuition freeze as an option to students, are a testament to regents’ commitment to the students and taxpayers of our state.”
Ernest Aliseda of McAllen is managing attorney of Loya Insurance Group, a municipal judge for the City of McAllen, and a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves Judge Advocate General Corps. He is a former state district judge for both the 139th and 398th State District Courts in Hidalgo County, a past member of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, and past president of the Hidalgo County Bar Association. Aliseda is a member of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, a board member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and Council for South Texas Economic Progress, vice president of the McAllen Citizen’s League, and a volunteer judge for the McAllen Teen Court Program. Aliseda received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, and is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law.
Jeff Hildebrand of Houston is chairman and CEO of Hilcorp Energy Company. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, National Petroleum Council, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, Houston Geological Society, All American Wildcatters, and The University of Texas System’s Task Force on Engineering Education for Texas. Hildebrand is a board member of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Central Houston Inc., Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and UT Engineering Advisory Board. He is also past chairman of the Houston Young Presidents Organization, and became a distinguished engineering graduate of the UT Cockrell School of Engineering. Hildebrand received a bachelor of science in geology and a master of science in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas.
Paul Foster of El Paso is executive chairman of Western Refining Company. He currently serves as vice chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents and has served as a regent since October 2007. He is a member of the Western Petroleum Marketers Association, Western States Petroleum Association, National Petroleum Council, and National Petroleum Refiners Association. He is chairman of The University of Texas Investment Management Company, an executive committee member of the Paso del Norte Group, and a board member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, WestStar Bank Board of Directors, and the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the World Presidents Organization, Texas Business Leadership Council, the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board, and the UT at El Paso Business Advisory Council. He is also a past member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and past chairman of the El Paso Regional Economic Development Corporation and American Red Cross El Paso Area Chapter. Foster received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Smithsonian.com recently named Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark as one of the top five destinations to see evidence of first Americans.
The story covers different locations across the U.S. where visitors can see the cultural remnants and animal remains left by the original settlers of this continent. It mentions the exhibits at Lubbock Lake Landmark, such as the hiking trails and the interpretive center that displays the evolution of the site from a fast-moving streambed to a marsh and documents the peoples who lived at the site.
“National recognition of our public programs at the landmark in a publication that is global in extent greatly serves to build on the international research reputation of the Landmark,” said Eileen Johnson, executive director for the Museum of Texas Tech University and director of the landmark. “The designation acknowledges that we are doing good things at the landmark to engage the public in the early cultural heritage of the region that is significant on the national level. Increase in public awareness is always a good thing and generally leads to greater numbers of visitors and more outreach opportunities.”
Other sites listed included Meadowcroft Rock Shelter in Avella, Penn.; Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark in New Mexico, Mastadon State Historic Site in Imperial, Mo., and Murray Spring Paleo-Indian Site in Sierra Vista, Ariz.
A unit of the Museum of Texas Tech University, the Lubbock Lake Landmark is an archaeological and natural history preserve at the northern edge of the city of Lubbock. The Landmark contains evidence of almost 12,000 years of occupation by ancient people on the Southern High Plains.
The first explorations of the site were conducted in 1939 by the West Texas Museum (now the Museum of Texas Tech University). By the late 1940s, several Folsom Period (10,800-10,300 years ago) bison kills were discovered. In a location of an ancient bison kill from a then-unidentified Paleoindian group, charred bison bones produced the first-ever radiocarbon date (currently the most accurate form of dating) for Paleoindian material (9,800 years old).
The Lubbock Lake Landmark serves as a field laboratory for geology, soils and radiocarbon dating studies, as well as being an active archaeological and natural history preserve.
See the story at www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/
For more on the Lubbock Lake Landmark, visit http://today.ttu.edu/2011/02/
Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that National Instruments will expand its research and development capacity in Austin, creating 1,000 jobs and $80 million in capital investment. The state is providing $4.4 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to close the deal on this expansion and job creation. Execution of the state’s agreement is contingent upon finalization of a local incentive package.
“Central Texas’ flourishing high tech industry is further strengthened by National Instruments’ expansion, which will create 1,000 technical and engineering jobs and bolster Austin’s status as a hub for research, development and innovation,” Gov. Perry said. “Texas’ continued focus on STEM education is a natural fit, and will ensure the Lone Star State continues to provide the capable workforce necessary for high tech employers like National Instruments to thrive.”
National Instruments designs and manufactures electronic measurement hardware and software, with operations throughout the U.S., Canada and 45 other countries. This facility will expand the company’s research and development activities, and will require the hiring of additional engineers and technology specialists to keep National Instruments competitive in the test and measurements and embedded systems industry. The project will include developing a 300,000 square foot facility located adjacent to the company’s current site in North Austin.
"National Instruments was founded in Austin over 35 years ago and has grown to a global company, supplying tools to scientists and engineers around the world to accelerate productivity, innovation, and discovery,” National Instruments Chief Operating Officer Alex Davern said. “The business friendly climate in Texas, along with our commitment of intense investment in research and development, is helping drive long-term job growth and economic development in Central Texas."
"We welcome the 1,000 new jobs this expansion will bring," Sen. Kirk Watson said. "Austin is a special place, and it continues to attract employers from around the world and opportunities for people who are here. Nevertheless, we're in a competition with other cities and regions for these kinds of jobs. It speaks well of Austin that National Instruments has chosen to stay here and to grow here.”
“I am extremely pleased to welcome the expansion of National Instruments in Austin,” Rep. Elliot Naishtat said. “High tech industries have contributed significantly to Austin’s vibrant economy, and this expansion is a recognition of Austin’s highly skilled workforce."
The Legislature created the TEF in 2003 and has re-appropriated funding in every legislative session since then to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. TEF projects must be approved by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The fund has since become one of the state’s most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $497.8 million and closed the deal on projects generating more than 67,300 new jobs and more than $18.7 billion in capital investment in the state.
For more information about the TEF, please visit http://www.
Austin, TX
In 2011, the Higher Education Coordinating Board ruled to require that undergraduate degree programs must graduate at least 25 students over a five year period or face elimination of that particular program. Many public universities across Texas have been put under significant strain due to this requirement. More specifically, public universities in rural areas who might not have the same enrollment numbers as those in urban areas are in great stress over how to save their programs from being phased out. Amidst the debate over what would be the best solution to ensuring Texas students have the opportunity to attend the degree or certificate programs of their choice, Representative Nevárez filed House Bill 1351 to address this complex issue. H.B. 1351 removes the ability of the Higher Education Coordinating Board to consolidate or eliminate degree or certificate programs and leaves that decision to the particular institution. However, the Higher Education Coordinating Board still has the authority to make recommendations to these higher education institutions regarding the consolidation and elimination of programs and can still authorize the initiation of a program. "This bill will allow for more discretion on behalf of the institutions to determine whether programs are viable. It will most certainly afford opportunities to continue courses of study that seem to dwindle for our students that attend institutions of higher learning in traditionally underserved areas," states Nevárez.
AUSTIN, Texas
Students around the globe will have the opportunity to participate in nine dynamic massive open online courses (MOOCs) to be offered by The University of Texas at Austin during the 2013-14 academic year. The courses will be deployed on the edX platform. EdX is an online nonprofit learning initiative founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in May 2012. In October the University of Texas System became the fourth partner in the edX consortium of leading colleges, universities and university systems. Other members include Harvard, MIT, the University of California at Berkeley, Wellesley College and Georgetown University. The University of Texas at Austin plans to deploy the first four MOOCs in fall 2013, followed by an additional five in spring 2014. Faculty and course development teams will use state-of-the-art approaches to build the content, assessments and technology for each course. “Our faculty is enthusiastic about this frontier, and I’m proud that The University of Texas is in the vanguard of blended and online learning,” said university President Bill Powers. “Innovations like this make it an exciting time to be in higher education.” These courses, which will be designed and taught by award-winning faculty members, are as follows:
Fall 2013 launch
Ideas of the Twentieth Century — Daniel Bonevac, College of Liberal Arts; Roy Flukinger, Harry Huntt Ransom Humanities Research Center Introduction to Globalization — John Hoberman, College of Liberal Arts Bench to Bedside: Introduction to Drug Development and the Commercialization Process — Janet Walkow, College of Pharmacy; Donna Kidwell, IC2 Institute; Alan Watts, College of Pharmacy Energy Technology & Policy — Michael Webber, Cockrell School of Engineering
Spring 2014 launch
Jazz Appreciation — Jeffrey Hellmer, College of Fine Arts Foundations of Data Analysis — Catherine Stacy and Michael Mahometa, College of Natural Sciences Mathematics and Effective Thinking — Michael Starbird, College of Natural Sciences Introduction to Embedded Systems — Jonathan Valvano and Ramesh Yerraballi, Cockrell School of Engineering Linear Algebra: Theory and Computation — Robert van de Geijn and Margaret Myers, College of Natural Sciences The courses will meet high standards and are designed to improve student success, said Steven Mintz, executive director of the UT System’s Institute for Transformational Learning, which works with the system’s 15 institutions to promote educational innovation and expand access to affordable, quality education. “We love the idea that people who have never been to college will get to see what a college course looks like,” Mintz said. “Hopefully, it will persuade them to pursue higher education.” The university plans to announce the specific start date for the fall courses this summer. The flexibility of MOOCs allows for a beginning and end date that is not bound by the traditional academic calendar year, which encourages a global classroom where anyone in the world can register and participate. For more information, contact: Harrison Keller, Vice Provost for Higher Education Policy and Research, (512) 232-8277; Jaimie Lenhardt, Center for Teaching and Learning (512) 475-7917.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today announced that Texans turned in more than 43 million pounds of electronics to computer manufacturers for recycling. In addition to recycling covered computer equipment, many computer manufacturers also voluntarily collect televisions and other electronics for recycling. The TCEQ allowed computer manufacturers to report other electronics collected, not just the computer equipment covered under the program. Computer manufacturers reported collecting more than 43.8 million pounds of electronics from Jan. 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2012. Currently, 90 manufacturers representing 133 brands are participating in the computer recycling program. As part of the program, computer manufacturers collected more than 24 million pounds of covered computer equipment in 2012. Of that collected weight, more than 20 million pounds were recycled and 3.7 million pounds were reused. The 2012 number is higher than the amount reported for any other reporting year. The second highest year was 2010 when computer manufacturers collected for reuse or recycling a total of 19.5 million pounds of computer equipment. Texans have many opportunities to recycle their computer equipment and other electronics outside of the computer recycling program. Collection events coordinated by municipalities, local nonprofit groups, private recyclers, and community-oriented businesses are additional ways Texans can recycle their computers. Since some of the recyclers don’t report to the TCEQ, the agency’s reported number doesn’t fully represent recycling activity in Texas. The TCEQ is currently working to implement a new program for the recycling of televisions, which will require television manufacturers that sell in Texas to collect and recycle television equipment. The TCEQ encourages consumers to take advantage of electronics recycling opportunities in 2013. Texas consumers can learn how to recycle their computer equipment by visiting TexasRecyclesComputers.org, and their television equipment by visiting TexasRecyclesTVs.org. For more information on the programs, contact the TCEQ’s Pollution Prevention and Education Section, 512-239-3143.
Analysis shows that Texas’ Veterans Would Lose Nearly $1.4 billion Over 10 Years
AUSTIN, TEXAS
As budget negotiations continue in Washington, AARP released an analysis showing the negative impact one proposal – the “chained CPI” -- would have on Texas’ veterans’ compensation and pensions. The chained CPI would change the way the cost-of-living adjustment is calculated for veterans’ compensation and Social Security, reducing the amounts veterans receive every year, and over time cutting benefits the most for the oldest veterans, including those with severe disabilities. AARP joins more than a dozen veterans’ groups in opposing adoption of the chained CPI, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans. “Texas’ veterans and their families deserve our support and thanks for their service and sacrifices, not cuts to the benefits they have earned and rely on,” said Bob Jackson, Director of AARP Texas. “Adoption of the chained CPI would have a devastating effect on the financial well-being of our state’s veterans, and we urge Texans to let their members of Congress know that imposing the chained CPI is unacceptable.” According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Texas was home to over 1.6 million veterans in 2011. Using data from the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, AARP calculates that adoption of the chained CPI would result in Texas’ veterans losing nearly $1.4 billion over a 10-year period. Over that same period, 23 million disabled veterans and military retirees nationwide would see their compensation and benefits cut by $17 billion. The chained CPI proposal would lower the yearly cost-of-living adjustment for veterans’ benefits, leaving veterans struggling to keep up with the rising cost of utilities, health care, and prescriptions – things that are hard to substitute for. Under this proposal, benefits for retired and disabled veterans would shrink by larger amounts every year, hurting those who served our nation more and more as they age and their retirement savings start to run out. And our nation’s youngest veterans – especially those who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan – would face harmful cuts, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Replacing the current COLA formula with the chained CPI would cause a 30-year-old veteran with severe disabilities to see his or her veterans’ benefits reduced annually by $1,425 at age 45, $2,341 at 55 and $3,231 at 65. “Veterans understand sacrifice and the need for fiscal discipline, but we have made promises to our veterans who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation, and those promises must be kept,” Jackson added. “Imposing the chained CPI on Texas’ veterans would break our promise to those who have given so much to our state and nation, and AARP joins with veterans groups across the nation in opposing this proposal.” To check how much these changes would impact your benefits over time, go to our Chained CPI calculator: www.aarp.org/whatyoulose AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; www.aarp.org; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
