Community & Opinions

In the regular meeting of the Kent County Commission starting at 9 a.m. Nov. 13, the court continued discussion regarding what repairs to undertake to roofs and other parts of county-owned buildings that were damaged in storms several months ago. County Judge Layne Coulter said that following consultation, Texas Association of Counties insurance staffer Scott Franklin will review the claim and adjustments and provide an executive summary of recommendations if any changes are advised.

on Friday defeated a proposed voucher plan, also leaving in doubt a comprehensive public school funding plan that became tied to it, The Dallas Morning News reported. A coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats joined together to take education savings accounts out of the bill by an 84-63 margin. t’s unclear whether proposed record funding increases for schools and teacher raises will survive this fourth special session. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made vouchers a priority. Versions of their priority have passed the Senate but continue to be stymied in the House. This special session ends the first week of December.

AUSTIN— The Texas Legislature, conceived as a part-time body to meet every other year for 140 days, is now in its record fifth session (counting the regular session). When the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is included, legislators have been in Austin pretty much the entire year, as the Texas Tribune noted. While legislators are paid just $7,200 a year in salary, per diem payments – meant to cover their expenses while in Austin – have mounted. If the fourth special session goes a full 30 days, taxpayers will have spent $4.8 million keeping lawmakers in Austin.

Come next week, the pew may call or a spot under a tree. Where’er I land on sabbath day the Spirit goes with me. – sjs