News

AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $1.05 billion in local sales tax allocations for February, 0.7 percent more than in February 2020.

The Coffee Memorial Blood Center is facing an emergency blood shortage and has issued a plea for donors of all blood types to give immediately. The lifesaving stock of blood has reached a less than one-day supply and needs replenishment. “This is not a drill,” the notice stated. To find out how and where you can contribute, contact Coffee Memorial at 806.331.8833 or go to yourbloodinstitute.org.

AUSTIN—The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has officially issued the 60-day notice that the COVID-related waiver on expiration dates for driver licenses and identification cards ends on April 14. Customers are urged to make an appointment or renew online today.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (TX-08), dean of the Texas Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives, named U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) as a cochair of the Texas Agriculture Task Force. Other Texans named co-chairs of the task force include U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Michael Cloud, Tony Gonzales, and August Pfluger. The task force will advocate for Texas agriculture priorities in the House, ensuring the delegation presents a united front in advancing policy positions. Texas is home to 247,000 farms, covering over 126 million acres, making it the top agriculture state in the country.

AUSTIN—Last Thursday, Feb. 4, Speaker Dade Phelan released committee assignments for the 87th Legislature. State Rep. Ken King, of Canadian, was named chair of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism (CRT), and was appointed to serve his fifth term on the House Committee on Public Education.

Filing ends at 5 pm tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 12, for candidates in the May 1 city council, and hospital and school board elections.