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Northeast News

Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 6-8

August 3, 2021

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-8.

State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. The date of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature.

“For many families with children who are going back to their school campuses for the first time since the pandemic began, the sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save money on school supplies and other tax-free items,” Hegar said. “As a father with three school-aged children myself, I know how these expenses can add up.”

Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

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Dems defy Abbott, continue stay in DC

July 27, 2021
Democratic State Rep. Senfronia Thompson

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 50 Democratic members of the state House fled Austin for Washington, D.C., last Monday, paralyzing the House just as the GOP was advancing sweeping changes in elections during a special session. Under the Texas Constitution, the Legislature requires a quorum of two-thirds of lawmakers to be present to conduct state business in either chamber.

The Texas Democrats plan to spend the week meeting with national voting rights advocates and labor leaders, election officials and other Democrats as they seek to keep the pressure on Congress to pass federal voting legislation.

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Local legislators leave Austin to stop Voter Restriction bill

July 20, 2021
State Representative Armando Walle, fourth from left, and other Texas legislators meets with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla in his office in D.C., to discuss federal Voter’s Rights legislation, and the bills in the Texas Legislature that the Democrats say will restrict citizen’s right to vote.

Democrats Armando W., Senfronia T., and Carol A. among opponents in D.C.

State Representative Walle Travels to D.C. to Stop Voter Suppression Efforts

HOUSTON – State Representative Armando Walle (D-Houston) released the following statement today regarding his joining over 57 Texas House Democratic Caucus members to break quorum to stop legislation restricting voting rights in Texas:

Unfortunately, we are here again in Washington D.C. today because of the choices of Texas Republican leaders to prioritize so-called “Election Integrity” legislation, or more accurately, voter suppression legislation, over the numerous issues that remain unfinished, like fixing and protecting our Texas grid or COVID relief for our constituents or our public health safety net that is a crisis away from collapse.

While I am here, we are visiting and pleading with Congressional leaders to pass voting rights legislation to protect our citizens’ right to vote and participate in our democracy. I will never understand why we are trying to make it more difficult to vote in Texas, a state already considered the hardest to vote in the country.[i]

Continue reading...Local legislators leave Austin to stop Voter Restriction bill

Latin Jazz Fills Town Center

July 20, 2021

Hundreds turned out last Saturday evening for the Inaugural Concert of the new Town Center Amphitheater and stage. Performing were the Diaz Music School Caliente Band, playing “LATIN JAZZ.” Featured performers, as well as the students, were noted Jazz Trumpeter Ray Vega, and Trombonist Andre Hayward. Dance and Music students also performed.

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State GLO sends $1.1b to Harris County

July 20, 2021

Harris County receiving $1.1 billion in infrastructure and mitigation projects

AUSTIN – Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush has announced plans to sub-award $750 million in light of a denial by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of a direct allocation of mitigation funding for Harris County. The General Land Office (GLO) will be drafting an action plan that will include a set aside of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding for $750 million and direct at least $500 million in additional funds to be distributed through the Regional Mitigation Program. Additional details will be released as the action plan amendment is finalized in accordance with HUD rules and federal requirements.

“Money from the federal government is, as always, tied up with endless mounds of red tape and bureaucracy,” said Commissioner George P. Bush. “During Hurricane Harvey, Texans in Harris County undoubtedly suffered some of the costliest damage in the state. After considerable back and forth with the Biden Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, the General Land Office will allocate $750 million in funding for mitigation efforts in Harris County and continue to work around the federal government’s ever-changing bureaucratic demands.”

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Sheriff hosts public Bike Ride in park

July 20, 2021
The public is invited to join with Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday, July 24 starting at 7:30 am registration, 8:30 bike ride. The ride will take place in Deussen Park near Lake Houston.

HARRIS COUNTY – In honor of Park and Recreation Month, the Sheriff’s office celebrates the beauty and value of our local parks and green spaces. They enhance our quality of life and contribute to the well-being of our communities. Our Parks Unit patrols nearly 100 parks across our county. These deputies ensure the parks are safe and welcoming for visitors.

For many, parks were essential mental and physical outlets throughout the pandemic. Our parks are often our first experiences in nature, and our introduction to walking, running, bicycling, and being active outdoors. They are at the center of many memories and a place to come together with friends and family.

Parks also connect us to our neighbors and those who patrol and protect our neighborhoods.

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Precinct 2 initiates Pothole Repair program

July 13, 2021
Marina Sugg of the Green Forest CCivic club inspects a Pct. 2 Pothole Repair in the East Aldine area.

EAST ALDINE – One of Commissioner Garcia’s top missions has been to develop new strategies in making sure Precinct 2 roadways are well maintained and safe for constituents.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia says that “Summer is here, one of the busiest times of the year for Precinct 2: from park renovations to ribbon cuttings, road repair, and bridge maintenance, we do a lot of everything!”

With all those initiatives ongoing, today, Commissioner Garcia announces the newest way Precinct 2 is getting the job done! Specially-equipped trucks are being used to repair potholes in our Precinct.

If you see a pothole that needs to be addressed, all you have to do is call the Pct 2 Call Center at 713-274-2222 or visit www.hcp2.com to file a report.

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Governor Abbott Announces Special Session Agenda

July 13, 2021

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation that identifies eleven agenda items for the Special Session that begins at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 8.

“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” said Governor Abbott. “Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans. These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home.”

Special Session agenda items will include:

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Free July 17concert will initiate new amphitheater

July 13, 2021
Town Center amphitheater is at center, stage at left, kids water playground at right, and offices for the East Aldine District at rear of this aerial photo.

Program includes Ray Vega, and Diaz’ Caliente

Grammy-winning Latin jazz trumpeter Ray Vega will lead the first live, free performance at the East Aldine Town Center amphitheater Sat., July 17

HOUSTON — Live, free, sizzling jazz for people of all ages, led by an international music star, in East Aldine has been announced. Grammy-winning Latin jazz trumpeter Ray Vega will lead the first live, free performance at the East Aldine Town Center amphitheater Saturday, July 17th.

Latin Jazz trumpet player Ray Vega, winner of multiple GRAMMY awards, will lead Caliente, a local ensemble of about 30 young musicians from the Diaz Music Institute, which is supported by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office and the East Aldine Management District.

The public show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the new amphitheater at the recently expanded East Aldine Town Center, 2800 Aldine Mail Route Rd.

Organizers are planning to offer light refreshments for sale.

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We Lose Lewis Spearman

July 13, 2021

We are sad to report that our friend and colleague, Lewis Spearman, passed away on Friday, June 25, peacefully at home. Lewis had been recovering from a cardiac procedure the previous week. Lewis has been an important part of the newspaper team since our start in 1994, and his contribution will be sorely missed. He had many friends in the Crosby and East Harris County area, and was active with the Crosby/Huffman Chamber and the Crosby Fair & Rodeo, and others. Memorial arrangements will be announced later, but a GoFundMe account for expenses has been established at http://gofund.me/7ac91f54. More of the story is also at this address.

Continue reading...We Lose Lewis Spearman