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WASHINGTON
Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced today that the 2012 FSA county committee elections will begin on Monday, Nov. 5, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 3, 2012.
“The role and input of our county committee members is more vital than ever,” said Garcia. “New county committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of disaster and conservation programs. With better participation in recent years, we also have seen promising increases in the number of women and minority candidates.”
Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can obtain ballots from their local USDA Service Center. Dec. 3, 2012, is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers. Ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked no later than Dec. 3. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2013.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm also may be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended Aug. 1.
While FSA county committees do not approve or deny farm operating loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are about 7,700 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers.
More information on county committees, such as the new 2012 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov\elections or at a local USDA Service Center.
SmartTXVoter app part of “Make Your Mark on Texas” initiative, offers easy-to-use functions and fun features to encourage Texans to learn about voting
AUSTIN, Texas
The Office of Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade launches its first smartphone application, SmartTXVoter, to help Texans stay informed about statewide voting information like registration deadlines, early voting dates and candidates or amendments on the upcoming ballot. It also provides users the ability to remind themselves and others to vote.
“SmartTXVoter takes a big technical step forward in providing voting resources in the Lone Star State,” said Secretary Andrade. “We are making it easy for all Texans to determine if they’re registered to vote, locate polling places and have fun while learning about the voting process.”
Voters can use the app to schedule reminders for specific days and times to vote; learn how to register to vote; research online voting resources; and verify polling locations and hours. Weekly polls let Texans use the app to “vote” on questions such as “What Texas town has the best barbecue?”
SmartTXVoter can be viewed in English or Spanish, and it is formatted to be accessible for Texans with visual impairments. The app is part of the “Make Your Mark on Texas” voter education program, which educates Texans about voting information under the Help America Vote Act.
"Smartphone use among Texans of virtually all demographics is growing so this is a way we can put the power of voting in their hands where they need it, when they need it," said Secretary Andrade. “SmartTXVoter is essential for engaging Texas voters on an interactive level, and we continue to find ways to use technology to educate our citizens about voting.”
SmartTXVoter is free to download in the iTunes App Store and Google Play stores. To find out more about voting in the state of Texas, visit www.VoteTexas.gov.
JONESTOWN
Gov. Rick Perry today joined Dan Wallrath, founder and president of Operation Finally Home, and Jonestown Mayor Deane Armstrong to break ground on a brand-new, mortgage-free home for U.S. Army Spc. Augustine “Augie” Pena and his family, provided by Operation Finally Home, Silverton Custom Homes and Henley Homes.
“I am always humbled and amazed at the generous, caring nature of the people of Texas and their steady devotion to our long tradition of neighbor helping neighbor,” Gov. Perry said. “On this site will stand another fine example of the spirit of selfless compassion, manifested in a new home for Spc. Pena. He represents the American hero who always answers the call to defend freedom and the American way.”
Spc. Pena joined the Army Reserve in 2007, and was deployed to Iraq in 2009. After returning home, he remained in his reserve unit in St. Louis and enrolled in college in Chicago. While on his way to St. Louis to report for duty on Nov. 25, 2010, Spc. Pena stopped to assist another motorist with a flat tire and was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left Spc. Pena as a paraplegic.
Created by Bay Area Builders Association Support our Troops in 2005, Operation Finally Home partners with corporate sponsors, individual contributors and volunteers to help wounded and disabled veterans and their families transition from the battlefront to the home front by providing custom-made homes. To date, Operation Finally Home has completed 25 projects, with an additional 18 under way.
AUSTIN, TX
Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade today announced Texas reached a record number of registered voters on the Official List of Registered Voters. As of Friday, October 19, Texas has 13,646,226 registered voters; the highest number in state history. Tuesday, October 9 was the last day to register to vote in the November 6, 2012 General Election.
“I want to thank all Texans who registered to vote this year and all Texans who are already registered voters. The next step is getting to the polls during Early Voting or on Election Day,” said Secretary Andrade.
The previous record number of registered voters was 13,575,062 set for the November 2008 General Election.
As a reminder, Early Voting begins Monday, October 22, 2012 and runs through November 2, 2012. Voters can find links to polling places and times at www.VoteTexas.gov. During Early Voting, voters may cast a ballot at any polling place in their county of residence.
“With Early Voting beginning October 22nd, now is a perfect time for Texans to begin preparing to cast their ballot,” said Secretary Andrade. “Now’s the time to verify your voter registration status, locate your registration certificate, make sure it’s signed, verify where your county’s polling places are, review what’s on your ballot and make plans to go vote.”
Photo identification is not required when voting in person during Early Voting or on Election Day. To cast a ballot during Early Voting or on Election Day, voters should present their Voter Registration Certificate or in lieu of a Voter Registration Certificate, at least one of the following:
• A driver's license or personal identification card issued to you by the Texas Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, even if the license or card has expired;
• A form of identification that contains your photograph and establishes your identity;
• A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes your identity;
• Your United States citizenship papers;
• Your United States passport;
• Official mail addressed to you by a governmental entity; or
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.
For more information on the November 6 General Election, please visit www.VoteTexas.gov.
Coalition continues to build momentum for 83rd Texas legislative session
AUSTIN
The Smoke-Free Texas coalition exceeded 50,000 Facebook fans Monday, adding to the momentum for the state’s largest Facebook policy group. The group had more than 29,000 Facebook fans at the end of the last legislative session in June 2011.
As the coalition prepares for the start of the 83rd Texas legislative session, its broad base of supporters – including organizations, businesses, chambers of commerce, community leaders and everyday Texans – continues to grow significantly. In addition to more than 50,000 Facebook fans, more than 22,000 Texans, 3,500 Twitter followers and 240 organizations, business and community leaders support the effort to make all Texas workplaces smoke-free.
“This important milestone once again confirms the growing support from hundreds of thousands of Texans who are more united than ever in their support for a statewide smoke-free indoor workplace law,” said Melinda Little, co-chair of the Smoke-Free Texas coalition. “We are actively working to educate Texas lawmakers to ensure they understand the urgent need and strong support for this legislation among Texans.”
AUSTIN — While the Texas Department of Transportation continues to connect Texas communities through the development and expansion of critical roadways, the agency also is helping provide some much-needed improvements in cities across the Lone Star State.
TxDOT is now accepting applications for the federally-funded Transportation Enhancement Program to aid communities across the state. Up to $70 million is available to fund the improvement of areas in communities that are associated with transportation. Such projects include pedestrian and bicycle trails, the rehabilitation of historic railroad facilities, landscaping near roadways and even preventative care to protect water resources from highway runoff.
Eligible projects must demonstrate a relationship to the surface transportation system. Projects must incorporate one of the following 12 categories:
● Pedestrians and bicycles facilities
● Safety and education activities for pedestrians and bicyclists
● Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic and historic properties
● Scenic or historic highway programs (including providing tourist and welcome center facilities)
● Landscaping and other scenic beautification
● Historic preservation
● Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals)
● Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including conversion and use for pedestrian and bicycle facilities)
● Control and removal of outdoor advertising
● Archaeological planning and research
● Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity
● Establishment of transportation museums.
Selected projects are eligible for reimbursement of up to 80 percent of allowable costs. The entity nominating a project is responsible for the remaining cost share, including cost overruns. Submissions will be accepted until 5 PM CST on Nov. 16, 2012. Applications should be submitted to local TxDOT district offices.
For more information, contact TxDOT Media Relations at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 463-8700.
Progreso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Progreso International Bridge on Friday discovered alleged heroin valued at approximately $1,290,000 concealed within belongings being brought into the country by a Guatemalan citizen.
On Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 CBP officers at the Progreso International Bridge encountered a man identified as a 46-year-old male citizen of Guatemala and who resides in Dallas, Texas. The pedestrian was referred to secondary for further inspection where CBP officers discovered 13 packages hidden within backpacks and shoes carried by the traveler. The 13 packages contained approximately 5.84 kilograms (12.9 pounds) of alleged heroin.
The alleged heroin from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,290,000. CBP officers seized the narcotics and turned the man over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
“A vigilant, multi-layered CBP enforcement posture has proven effective and resulted in the interception of these dangerous narcotics and the arrest of the alleged smuggler. I congratulate our officers for this exceptional seizure and arrest,” said Carlos Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Progreso/Donna.
Weather permitting, aerial spraying is expected to begin tonight in a northeast section of Dallas County to control mosquitoes and help prevent the spread of West Nile virus. Responding to requests from Dallas-area cities, the Texas Department of State Health Services is directing two planes to begin flying at approximately 10 p.m. The planes will cover about 106,000 acres and will complete the day's spraying by 3 a.m. Spraying may be delayed or halted due to rain or windy conditions.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas
The two most critical challenges for Hispanic-owned businesses to grow are overcoming a lack of training in management and communication skills and gaining better access to markets, according to new research of Hispanic-owned businesses in Texas from The University of Texas at Austin. The study provides a fresh look at the challenges these mostly small businesses face.
A series of mistakes in the redistricting process -- stretching all the way back to the legislative session earlier this year -- is keeping a lot of lawyers and judges busy these days. But Texas voters, particularly Hispanics, have been left out in the cold.
The U.S. Supreme Court has an opportunity to rectify some of the problems, but the attorney general's mishandling of the case has already caused the March 6 primary to be delayed by almost a month and injected plenty of confusion into the primary election process -- both for voters and potential candidates.
The missteps began during the legislative session, when the Legislature approved state legislative and congressional redistricting plans that a panel of federal judges later tossed out for violating the Voting Rights Act.
Map makers ignored the results of the 2010 Census, which showed a dramatic increase in the number of Hispanics in Texas. According to the Census, the percentage of Latinos rose from 32 percent to 38 percent from 2000 to 2010, and 89 percent of the nearly 4.3 million new Texans were non-Anglo.
Three federal judges in San Antonio found fault not only with the congressional map, but the new political boundaries for the Texas House and Senate as well. The panel provided its own plans, which created additional opportunities for Latino voters, but the attorney general sought and won a stay from the Supreme Court. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 9.