November 9, 2018

Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. Below you will find updates from federal, state and local agencies on events from the past week and the week ahead.

Let me begin by offering my gratitude to each of you. Because of your support, I won reelection on Tuesday. I will be returning to the Texas Capitol in January to continue representing you and all of House District 127 in the 86th Legislative Session. I am honored to be provided this opportunity once more and I will continue to fight for our community.

Should you have questions regarding anything in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us directly using the information provided at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely,

The Harris County Voluntary Buyout Program is jointly operated through the Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD), the Harris County Engineering Department’s Real Property Division (HCRPD), and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) to assist owners whose homes were damaged by the floods in 2015, 2016, and/or Hurricane Harvey (2017) to relocate outside the threat of flooding.

Why Is It Important?

Who Does This Program Help?

What Benefits Does it Provide?

While HCCSD and HCFCD are working together both organizations offer two separate buyout programs. Listed below are the Project Recovery Buyout Program Incentives.

Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (CDBG-DR) will be utilized to buyout approximately 1006 properties. Harris County has an opportunity to serve an unprecedented number of residents. To that end, the Fall 2018 outreach and public engagement activities listed below will assist in raising community awareness of the voluntary buyout program.

Buyout Interest Areas: There are thirteen (13) CDBG-DR Voluntary Buyout Interest Areas located throughout Harris County. The goal of this Outreach Campaign is reach owners who have not yet volunteered and to inform them of the many incentives that are available under the CDBG-DR Buyout Program.

Aldine Area - Aldine Place Sec 2 (Pct. 2), Allen Field (Pct. 1), Blue Bell (Pct. 1), Gatewood, Aldine Estates & Greenbranch (Pct. 2), Hahl Sites (Pct. 2), and Rosebury Dr. (Pct. 2)

Channelview/Highlands Area – Highland Shores (Pct. 2), Rio Vila Sec 5 (Pct. 2), Rio Villa (Pct. 2), and San Jacinto River Estates (Pct. 2)

Buyout Information Workshops and Registration Event

Aldine Area, November 17, 2018,

Harris County Hardy Community Center

11901 West Hardy Rd.

Houston, TX 77076

Channelview/Highlands Area, December 15, 2018

Harris County Martin Flukinger Community Center

16003 Lorenzo

Channelview, TX 77530

Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) Planner Ammy Gierzak and Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Lindner were recently honored at the Region 4 Superintendents Recognition and Awards Ceremony for the collaboration and support they provided during Hurricane Harvey and for their ongoing support to the superintendents in the Region 4 area.

“It is always an honor to get recognized for a job well done. Ammy, Jeff and all those who worked in our Emergency Operations Center during Harvey worked around the clock to keep everyone safe and informed,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “I am proud to have a great team of professionals dedicated to the residents of Harris County.”

HCOHSEM values its partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center (Region 4) because schools are an integral part of the community. Region 4 serves as the liaison between Harris County and area school districts and charter schools. This partnership is important because during a disaster schools are valuable resources for shelters, evacuation sites and transportation centers.

“During Harvey, we worked closely to share and facilitate information, the opening of shelters, and the utilization of district busses for rescue operations and transportation to shelters,” said Region 4 Executive Director Dr. Pam Wells. “School district superintendents depend on information from Harris County’s Emergency Operations Center to help make effective decisions and take measures to promote the safety of their students, staff and communities.”

When an emergency occurs, Region 4 is HCOHSEM’s point of contact for school updates and for disseminating critical and timely information regarding safety issues that may affect area students and staff. Region 4 is the largest service center in the state with 48 independent school districts and 37 public charter schools serving more than 1.2 million students, 156,000 district employees and 1,500 campuses.

The Superintendents Recognition and Awards Ceremony is a special event to recognize the dedication and accomplishment of superintendents who have retired in the past year. In addition, superintendents select honorees to recognize for their contributions to public education in Texas.

Comptroller Glenn Hegar has announced the publication of the  State of Texas Annual Cash Report  for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. This report presents the state’s financial condition and details revenues and expenditures on a cash basis as required by Texas Government Code Section 403.013.

The Consolidated General Revenue Fund ended the year with a cash balance in the state treasury of $4.5 billion, an increase of $963.5 million, or 27.5 percent , from fiscal 2017. The change in the balance is largely due to an increase in tax collections.

Balances in Special Revenue Funds increased from $19.7 billion in fiscal 2017 to $21.4 billion in fiscal 2018 . The Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) ended fiscal 2018 with a total balance of $11.0 billion, an increase of $746.1 million over fiscal 2017. The ESF ending balance was comprised of cash in the amount of $8.7 billion and investments having a fair market value of $2.3 billion.

Net revenues for all funds excluding trust funds increased by $9.0 billion, or 8.1 percent, from fiscal 2017, to a total of $120.2 billion in fiscal 2018 . Tax collections totaling $55.6 billion accounted for the largest revenue category, up $6.0 billion, or 12.0 percent, from fiscal 2017. Federal income, the second largest revenue category, totaled $39.6 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or 3.3 percent , from fiscal 2017.

Total net expenditures for all funds excluding trust funds increased by $3.9 billion, or 3.5 percent , from fiscal 2017, to a total of $116.6 billion in fiscal 2018 . The largest dollar spending increase by governmental function was in Health and Human Services, which increased by $1.3 billion to a total of $50.4 billion.

"From August through November of 1918, Texans were fully engaged in the Great War. Nearly 200,000 were in uniform, many of them fighting in France. Over 5,100 would not return. They came from every community; from big cities and small towns. They were of all races, religions, and ethnicities. The majority were men, but Texas women also served in France as nurses, telephone switchboard operators, and with service organizations. At home, citizens conserved resources and helped provide for soldiers in training and at the front. One-hundred years ago, Texans sacrificed all.

 

This Veterans Day 2018 is especially significant, as it marks the 100th anniversary of when the armistice began which ended World War I - at 11:00 am on November 11, 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson designated November 11th as Armistice Day to honor the Veterans who fought in the Great War.

 

Our great state of Texas understands its duty to serve veterans and their families, and for over 90 years, the state has relied on the Texas Veterans Commission to execute those duties in order to improve the lives of those who have given so much. We are committed to serving Texas' 1.6 million veterans and their families. Texas is fortunate to have had so many brave men and women stand for freedom since our country's founding. Therefore, the Texas Veterans Commission is honored to serve all Texas veterans, their families, and survivors. We owe it to them to ensure that their service and sacrifice is always remembered. 

 

Let’s make every day, Veterans Day." - Eliseo "Al" Cantu, Jr., Commission Chairman; Daniel Moran, Vice Chair; Kevin Barber, Secretary; Kimberlee Joos, Commissioner; Laura Koerner, Commissioner; and Thomas Palladino, Executive Director

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw issued the following statement regarding Veterans Day:

“As we head into this Veterans Day weekend, we all have the distinct privilege of honoring the courageous men and women who have valiantly answered the call to serve in our country’s military both at home and abroad. This Sunday, let us join together in showing our appreciation for those who have fought bravely to protect us against threats to our liberty and our way of life. We must never forget that these patriots selflessly and willingly embraced the many sacrifices that come with serving in the U.S. Military.

 

“Our military members will always be celebrated as heroes, because their service has afforded precious freedoms and safety to Americans and countless others across the globe. “We are also honored that so many veterans have chosen to join the DPS family; their unique expertise and experience greatly contribute to the mission of our department – to protect and serve Texas. They have answered the call to serve not once, but twice, and the department and the entire state of Texas are grateful for them.

 

“We also recognize the family members and loved ones who stand behind every Soldier, Sailor, Guardsman, Airman and Marine, sharing in the sacrifices. We are extremely thankful for the vital and special role these families play in supporting our military men and women. “So to all U.S. Military Veterans: you will always hold a place of reverence in our hearts for all you have done for us and our great nation. Thank you for your selfless service, your bravery and your sacrifice.”

The Village Gala will be held November 10, 2018 at the Hotel ZaZa. This year we will be “Celebrating Success” while Honoring the Life Work of Kim Brusatori, Founder of The Village. The Village is an organization that strives to create the support and services needed to affect positive change in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and our local community, so that these individuals may reach their maximum potential and level of independence. To sponsor the Gala, reserve a table, or purchase tickets to attend online,  please click here. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or for other payment methods, please contact Anne Marie Blacketer, Director of Development at (281) 973 – 0507 or  [email protected] .

Our office is always ready to assist you. Call or email us and we will do our best to help. Many State Agencies also have hotlines or citizen assistance offices to assist you. That contact information is available at this link, in alphabetical order: 

http://www.lrl.texas.gov/genInfo/stateAgencies.cfm

All of the relevant information our office has gathered during the week will be posted to our Facebook page. By "liking" us, you will stay up-to-date about important matters across the state that affect you and your family. Click below to find our page.

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