An AFL-CIO affiliate is suing the Texas Education Commissioner in an effort to stop a new teacher evaluation program called the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS), from being implemented. T-TESS will replace the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) that has been in place for more than 20 years.
Gov. Greg Abbott has formed an education task force that is charged with assessing economic activity and workforce challenges in various Texas communities. They will do so by holding forums in a number of cities to gather input from residents on the state’s diverse needs and strengths.
Despite the city assuring residents that the 4B sales tax would sunset once the sports complex was paid off, city council is now asking taxpayers to approve the re-authorization of the 4B. If passed, the revenue generated would be used for maintenance and operations of the sports complex as well as various other projects determined by city council.
Midland City Council voted last week to move forward with a schematic design option for the new Midland Center – an event venue downtown. While numbers are subject to change, the favored design option would cost approximately $42.3 million in hotel occupancy tax dollars and would hike the city debt to nearly $200 million.
Joshua Crawford, candidate for TX HD 81, gained the endorsement of Ernest Angelo—the former mayor of Midland, Republican National Committeeman, and State Chairman for President Ronald Reagan’s campaign.
The 4B tax, established in 2000 for the repayment of debt issued to build the Scharbauer Sports Complex, is scheduled to end Spring 2015. However, Midland City Council hopes to keep the tax and instead re-purpose it to fund the complex while using additional revenue on other projects.
Fighting to preserve conservative principles has long been a way of life for Permian Basin-native Nelson Spear. As a lawyer and passionate conservative, Spear has utilized his educational background, assertiveness, and drive to advocate for liberty-minded reforms and candidates.
Susan King (R-Abilene), who suspended her campaign for Senate District 24 due to mental health struggles, surprised Texans by announcing on December 14th — the filing deadline for the 2016 primary – that she is throwing her hat in the ring once again.
Midland City Council decides to postpone the passing of roughly $22 million in Certificates of Obligation- a.k.a debt undertaken without voter approval. The decision to postpone follows an unprecedented and surprising opposition from Midland residents.
The Midland City Council will be voting Tuesday on whether to take the first step in authorizing roughly $22.4 million in new city debt via Certificates of Obligation (CO), which do not require voter approval, and should typically be used in emergency circumstances...