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Posts published in “Day: February 13, 2018”

Texas Central picks high-speed rail train station site at Northwest Mall

February 13, 2018
Houston Bullet Train Station Rendering. The High Speed Rail from Dallas to Houston is planned to cut travel time to 90 minutes, and cost less than airplane fare.

HOUSTON [Feb. 5, 2018] – Highlighting Houston’s history as a major railway hub, Mayor Sylvester Turner and developers of the Texas Bullet Train have announced the preferred site of the new passenger station, at the Northwest Mall near the interchange of Interstate 610 and US 290.

They said the terminal will be ideally located in a high-growth area, with easy access to employment centers, including the Galleria, the Energy Corridor and downtown. The station not only will be a catalyst for economic growth but it also will offer a convenient, efficient and direct network for passengers to and from local transit systems.

The selection comes about a month after federal regulators released an environmental analysis that said the 200-mph, Houston-to-North Texas train would alleviate the strain on the state’s existing infrastructure and is needed to accommodate growing demands.

“Houston continues to grow. Growing the smart way includes providing a wider choice of transportation options beyond more private vehicles and more roads. The Texas Bullet Train fits the transportation paradigm shift I have called for. And now with a preferred location for the Houston station, we are one big step closer to boarding for an exciting trip to the Brazos Valley and on to Dallas,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

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Aldine FFA art show winners

February 13, 2018
Grand Champion Art Winner Autumn Taylor, entitled Round Up.

The 59th Annual FFA Sale of Champions on February 2nd included awards to six artists. The grand champion artwork was produced by Autumn Taylor of Nimitz and was purchased by the Curriculum and Instruction Group, with Dr. Sara Ptomey, and Dr. Michaelann Kelley for $3,750.

The reserve grand champion artwork was produced by Beatriz Cabrera of MacArthur and purchased by TCCA for $4,500.

Other winners included 3rd Place Isabel Rivas, Nimitz, purchased by the Superintendents Group for $2000; 4th Place Janet Gonzalez, MacArthur purchased by MacArthur Vertical for $3500; 5th Place Angel Salgado, Davis 9th Grade, purchased by First Construction for $$3250; and 6th Place Michell Maldonado of Carver, purchased by TCCA for $3500.

The money earned by FFA students can be used for college scholarships or to fund projects for the 2019 Livestock Show.

Reserve Champion Art Winner Beatriz Cabrera, entitled Stars and Spines.

Congress votes to keep government offices open

February 13, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC – February 9, 2018 – Representatives Gene Green (TX-29), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Al Green (TX-9), Filemon Vela (TX-34), and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement regarding their support of the continuing resolution that contains a bipartisan budget agreement, funds the government through March 23 and provides relief for Hurricane Harvey victims:

“Communities in our districts and along the Texas Gulf Coast have waited for more than five months for Congress to pass a comprehensive relief bill aimed at funding recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Today’s legislation will deliver $89 billion in hurricane relief for Texas and other states impacted by last year’s major disasters, allowing our communities to continue rebuilding schools, businesses, and homes that suffered severe damage last August. This disaster relief package additionally includes $15 billion for flood control projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Bipartisan Budget Act will very likely be the most significant bipartisan legislation to pass Congress this year. The health and well-being of families and children we represent are among our top priorities. By extending and increasing funding for critical programs like community health centers for the next two years, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the next 10 years, and Medicaid provisions that allow our rural hospitals to continue to provide critical access to healthcare, we can give our constituents certainty that they have access to reliable and affordable healthcare – no matter their socioeconomic status. Families should never have to receive letters from the state informing them that they might lose their healthcare coverage.

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