Texas Association of Builders Names Executive Director

The Texas Association of Builders announced that M. Scott Norman, Jr. has taken the seat of Executive Director. Norman was named as Executive Director for the association of over 12,000 statewide members and associates after serving as Interim Executive Director for the past nine months. In his new role, he will continue to lead the government relations and political activities of the association as well as manage the third largest builders association in the nation.Norman has been actively involved in state government for over 12 years as both a Capitol staffer and a lobbyist. Prior to joining the Texas Association of Builders in January of 2003, Scott Norman served as a staff attorney for Texas State Senator J.E. “Buster” Brown, and as General Counsel for the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee and the Texas Council of Engineering Companies, Inc. More

Rise in Sales Tax Could Bring Cut in Property Levy

Local voters could swap a higher sales tax for new limits on their property taxes under a proposal adopted Tuesday by a Senate Finance subcommittee. The recommendation, which still must be reviewed by the full Senate Finance Committee, will be among numerous tax proposals debated after the Legislature convenes in January. A similar trade-off was approved by the Senate in 2007 but died in the House. At present, county and city property taxes are subject to a rollback election if they are increased more than 8 percent a year. Under the subcommittee's plan, voters of a city or county could adopt a local quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to property tax reductions in exchange for lowering the rollback threshold for city and county property taxes in their community from 8 percent to 5 percent. More

Landowners Hope Juries Will Decide Compensation

A federal judge will soon decide whether private landowners along the Rio Grande will have juries of their peers or a court-appointed panel of land experts decide how much the federal government owes them for land it takes to build the border fence. The first trials are scheduled to begin in March, but U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen's decision, expected in coming weeks could mean the difference in thousands of dollars to people who have to turn over their property to the federal government for the fence. The case could have far-reaching ramifications for eminent domain and property rights issues. More

Taxing Entities Meet to Discuss Joint Work

Nearly 20 regional taxing entities will gather Wednesday to try to find ways they can work together and save money. The first Shared Services Summit will include elected officials and employees with professional expertise in county, municipal and educational governments. The group will focus on common services its members perform and how those services might be achieved in a more cost-effective way. The daylong summit will not be open to the public. More

Texas House Won’t Be Evenly Split as Republican Wins Close Race

It appears that the Texas House of Representatives won’t be evenly split. At least, not yet. The unprecedented prospect was avoided Monday after the Republican incumbent in Irving eked out a narrow victory when Dallas County officials finished counting votes. State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, first elected in 2002, beat Democrat Bob Romano by 20 votes, according to unofficial results. More

Immigration Coalition to Lobby Obama on Reforms

A delegation from El Paso that includes some top elected officials will join a coalition of immigrant advocates in Washington, D.C., next week to urge President-elect Barack Obama to adopt changes in immigration policies and procedures. The coalition will present a 38-page report titled "Effective Border Policy: Security, Responsibility and Human Rights," which contains 70 recommendations for federal policymakers, community advocates and faith leaders. More

12 Tips for Saving on Homeowner’s Insurance

The Texas Department of Insurance recently launched a new effort to get Farmers Insurance Group and State Farm to lower their home insurance rates. The department is seeking $300 million in premium refunds, plus 10 percent interest. This ongoing debate serves to remind us that insurance, while a necessary fact of life for homeowners, can get expensive. But there are ways we can take control to save money and trim costs so premiums don't go through the roof. More

Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Service Resumes After Ike

Ferry service between Galveston Island and Port Bolivar has reopened to the public after being limited to Hurricane Ike recovery personnel. Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis says two ferries, open to the general public, began operations Tuesday morning. Lewis told The Associated Press that the resumption of passenger service "is certainly a huge step toward recovery." More