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Posts published in “Day: June 18, 2019”

Governor Abbott signs Disaster Relief and Preparedness Legislation into law

June 18, 2019
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signing the four disaster relief and preparedness bills. The signing was held at Gallery Furniture in Houston, in recognition of the help that Jim McIngvale extended to victims of Hurricane Harvey. Looking on are Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dennis Bonnen, are various senators and representatives including Armando Walle and Carol Alvarado. McIngvale looks on from the back row.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today signed into law several monumental bills related to disaster relief and preparedness in Texas. As a result of Hurricane Harvey, Governor Abbott made this issue an emergency legislative item this session, resulting in several bills being passed that will better prepare the state for future disasters. Additionally, the legislature voted to appropriate $3 billion in relief for Harvey-impacted areas from the Rainy Day Fund.

The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dennis Bonnen, and members of the legislature including Senators Lois Kolkhorst, Brandon Breighton, Joan Huffman, Carol Alvarado, Larry Taylor, Paul Bettencourt, and Donna Campbell, and Representatives Dade Phelan, Alma Allen, Gina Calanni, Garnet Coleman, Sarah Davis, Harold Dutton, Sam Harless, Dan Huberty, Will Metcalf, Rick Miller, Mayes Middleton, Ron Reynolds, Jon Rosenthal, Valoree Swanson, Steve Toth, and Armando Walle.

The bill signing was held at Gallery Furniture in Houston, owned by Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August 2017, McIngvale opened two of his stores as shelter for Houstonians displaced by the storm. McIngvale’s company also deployed its largest moving truck to help rescue those displaced by flooding.

“Thanks to the work of the legislature, we are rebuilding Texas stronger and more resilient than ever,” said Governor Abbott. “In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, we saw the unshakable spirit of the Lone Star State through the generosity of Texans helping their neighbors. These important pieces of legislation are a symbol of that spirit, as well as a sign of Texas’ commitment to improving the way we respond to natural disasters.”

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Dead body found on Aldine Mail Route

June 18, 2019
A man’s body was found behind the car wash and El Guera check cashing on Aldine Mail Route.

ALDINE – Family members were summoned by an unknown informant to an SUV located behind a car wash and check cashing business at 4000 Aldine Mail Route near JFK Blvd. last Wednesday Morning.

Sheriff’s Deputies said that the body was Jaime Diaz, 44, and was in the rear luggage area of the SUV. They said he showed signs of trauma and the death was not self-inflicted or natural. (more…)

New procedures to simplify Primary Voting

June 18, 2019
A mock demonstration by Harris County Clerk employee Margaret Aguilar (left) posing as a voters using a touchscreen tablet privately discloses her political party affiliation to both Democrat C. Patrick McIlvain (right) and Republican Kathryn Gray both election clerks in order to vote in a Primary Election. (PHOTO ALLAN JAMAIL)

County Clerk Trautman offers Joint Primary Dem. or Rep. Registration

By Allan Jamail

Houston, TX. – Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Harris County Clerk’s offices, a new speedier and private process was presented by Clerk Diane Trautman, Administrator of Elections Michael Winn, and Director of Communications Ms. Teneshia Hudspeth.

Trautman said after numerous Primary Elections, she has heard of voters not voting because they felt uncomfortable stating their party’s affiliation out loud to where others could hear. She said, “This new process is to remove any fear from one declaring their party affiliation out loud; the voter will have complete anonymity. This is not a partisan issue to help either party separately; this is to make all voters of both parties feel more comfortable.”

Michael Winn, Administrator of Elections, said, “Combining the amount of staff from both parties to run just one polling location allows for fewer clerks needed. This also reduces the amount of party specific staff needed at the locations but at the same time will also increase the number of locations to which staff can be assigned.”

The use of Election Day Vote Centers (EDVC), another new program of Trautman’s, allows voters to vote anywhere regardless of their home precinct, which will save them time by not having to stand in lines. They can go vote at any location that’s doesn’t have a long line. The EDVC will remove the problem of a voter not getting to vote because of going to the wrong location.

The process should reduce the amount of Provisional Ballots cast. (more…)

Aldine ISD to launch Accelerating Campus Excellence model at two Elementary Campuses in the Fall

June 18, 2019

Aldine ISD will adopt the ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) model, which uses strategic staffing and a “whole child” approach to bring the most accomplished educators to the most struggling schools.

Several of the state’s largest and most diverse districts have implemented the ACE model with notable success. The districts have seen dramatic academic outcomes in multiple schools with similar student demographics as Aldine ISD.

Two Aldine ISD campuses will start the 2019-2020 school year using the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model with the goal of improving student outcomes. Goodman and Worsham Elementary schools will begin in August with new campus leaders, teachers, and staff as well as increased focused support from district leaders and departments. These two campuses, called ACE Demonstration Schools, will be used as models to significantly increase student achievement across Aldine ISD.

The ACE model, which has been applied in several districts throughout the state including Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Garland ISD and Richardson ISD, is designed to bring the most accomplished educators to the most struggling schools. (more…)