NEWS IN STATE GOVERNMENT
Governor:
Governor Abbott Sets Special Election for Texas House District 28: Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019, as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 28 seat to be vacated by former Representative John Zerwas. Click here to read the full proclamation.
Governor Abbott Appoints Senator Flores And Representative Huberty To Education Commission Of The States: Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Senator Peter “Pete” Flores and Representative Daniel “Dan” Huberty to the Education Commission of the States for terms to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Click here to read the full appointment.
Governor Abbott Appoints Saenz To Texas Lottery Commission: Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Erik Saenz to the Texas Lottery Commission for a term set to expire on February 1, 2023. Click here to read more.
Railroad Commission:
Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for May 2019: Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for May 2019 came from 177,644 oil wells and 89,952 gas wells. Click here to read the full statistics.
Environmental Quality:
TCEQ approves fines totaling $280,392: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $198,105 against 19 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations. Click here to read more.
TCEQ to Host 2019 Autumn Environmental Conference & Expo: On October 8-10, 2019, hundreds of engineers, environmental managers, consultants, and members of the regulated community will gather to receive updates on permitting rules, requirements, and regulations at the Autumn Environmental Conference and Expo. Click here to read more.
Health and Human Services:
IL 19-22 — Fiscal Year 2019 Cutoff Date for Year-end Closeout Processing: HHSC sent out a letter to providers notifying them of the following important claims processing cutoff dates for claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Click here to read that letter.
OTHER NEWS
State News:
Texas Rangers to Investigate House Speaker’s Meeting with Activist: On Monday, the Texas House’s General Investigating committee held a closed-door session for about an hour discussing allegations made after a meeting earlier this summer in which Bonnen, is accused of offering to give media credentials to a conservative political operative and suggesting his group, Empower Texans, target 10 current House Republicans running for re-election. Subscribers can click here to read the full Houston Chronicle article.
As Port Aransas Oil Project Moves Ahead, a Near Miss Underscores Fears: Officials with the Port of Corpus Christi spoke to hundreds of people about the Port’s plans to turn Harbor Island into an oil export hub, bringing regular traffic from oil carriers even larger than the ship that caused the ferry evacuation on Monday. Click here to read the full Rivard Report article.
Texans Get Ready for Beer To-Go and Booze Delivery: Two new laws will free up alcohol access in Texas starting Sept. 1. Certain breweries will now be allowed to sell their suds to go, and more restaurants will be able to deliver beer and wine to customers. Click here to read the full Texas Tribune article.
Electricity Providers Asking Texas Customers to Take it Easier Amid Record-Breaking Demand: With summer heat expected to top 100 degrees, electric providers are asking Texas residents to help ease power demand during peak times on Monday and Tuesday. Subscribers can click here to read the full Houston Chronicle article.
Kinder Morgan Ordered to Pay Hill Country Landowners $2.7M as Pipeline Dispute Widens: A three-member panel of the Blanco County Special Commissioners ordered Kinder Morgan to pay three landowners more than $2.7 million to seize parts of their properties for the company’s proposed Permian Highway Pipeline as the dispute over the Houston company’s land-taking widens. Subscribers can click here to read the full Houston Chronicle article.
A Wind Farm That Can Power 168,000 Homes is Blowing into Central Texas: When representatives of a renewable energy company first approached Concho County residents about building a wind farm on their sloping terrain in Central Texas, landowners weren’t sold. But a series of nearby wind developments in recent years helped get locals on board, reviving plans for the site 2 miles northwest of Eden, Texas. Construction of a wind farm called Maverick Creek is set to begin in September, with annual wind energy production in the state on track to surpass coal energy for the first time. Click here to read the Dallas Morning News article.
National News:
Organic Farmers’ Success Causes Rifts in the Industry: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sales of certified organic commodities rose 23 percent between 2015 and 2016, with the number of certified organic farms increasing by 11 percent. Organic products are now for sale in three out of four conventional supermarkets. Texas farmers have been getting into the action big-time. Subscribers can click here to read the San Antonio Express News article.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Dates to Note:
Energy Trade Mission to Israel 2019
September 16, 2019 to September 20, 2019
September 26 - 28, 2019
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Stalwart Strategies Capitol Appreciation Party
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
The Belmont, Austin, TX
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Texas House Republican Caucus Fall Golf Tournament
October 17 - 18, 2019
Texas Energy Summit at the Capitol
November 12 - 14, 2019
Click here for House of Representatives Capitol Events Calendar.
Click here for Texas Senate Capitol Events Calendar.
