Hall Listed As Author on Two Bills Bill Could Impact Cities’ Representation by TODD KLEIBOER Less
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Page 13 Sulphur Springs News-Telegram Saturday, January 16, 2021 Hall listed as author on two bills Bill could impact cities’ representation By TODD KLEIBOER less. Sulphur Springs, Tira todd.kleiboer and Como are listed as @ssnewstelegram.com members. The Senate State Affairs As the Texas Legislature starts its bi- Committee held a Decem- ennial session, lawmakers will be voting ber hearing regarding the hundreds of bills, and so far, state senator bill. In the hearing, mayor Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) has authored or is Ron Jensen of Grand Prai- listed as a primary author on two bills, one Classes begin at PJC rie testified he would have Bob targeting taxpayer-funded lobbying and to hire additional positions Hall New welding student John Musa of Sulphur Springs is working on a project during another the distribution of early voting bal- to navigate the legislative a class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus Welding Shop. For information about the lot applications. process without the help welding program or other workforce opportunities and scholarships, call 903-885- of the TML. Collin County Judge Chris Hill TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING 1232. PJC is offering face-to-face, interactive video, hybrid, and online classes so stu- testified the ultimate responsibility of advo- dents may best meet their educational needs. New students need to apply for admis- Hall filed senate bill 234 in early Decem- cating for constituents falls to local officials, sion to PJC, either by contacting [email protected] or filling out the online form at ber 2020, one day after state representative not to hired lobbyists. www.parisjc.edu/apply. Returning students may contact their Student Success Coach Mayes filed HB 749 with the same language. to sign up for classes, or they may email [email protected]. Learn more about SB 234 calls for restrictions on the use of EARLY VOTING BALLOTS and apply for PJC scholarships at www.parisjc.edu/scholarships. taxpayer funds by “political subdivisions,” Hall along with senators Paul Betten- Courtesy / PJC like cities or counties, on hiring lobbyists court (R-Houston), Brian Birdwell (R-Wa- or paying a state association that employes co), Brandon Creighton (R-Beaumont) lobbyists. and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) filed a bill in Lambert reportedly threw the firearm from “Governmental entities and non-profit mid-November after the general election to the vehicle. Lambert was also allegedly organizations currently funded with public prohibit officers or employees of the state or Briefs taxpayer dollars are using those dollars to found to be in possession of someone else’s any political subdivision from distributing Continued from page 3 hire lobbyists to advocate against Texas Leg- wallet and was reportedly to be found in vi- an application form for an early voting bal- islature bills intended to protect taxpayers,” olation of parole. No bond was set. lot. Hall said in a December statement. “Nothing rested 2:01 a.m. Wednesday on a Hopkins n Robby Jones, 60, of Mount Vernon, “Sending two million plus ballot applica- in the bill would prevent local governments County warrant for theft of property be- Texas was arrested 6 p.m. Wednesday on a tions to all registered voters would have cer- from hiring an individual or organization to tween $100 and $750. No bond was set. Texas Rangers warrant for obstruction or n monitor legislation in the interest of keeping tainly caused more voter confusion as 95% Chun Zachary Lambert, 43, of Cola- retaliation. No bond was set. local officials educated and informed.” of these recipients would not have qualified ny, Texas was arrested 5:28 p.m. Wednesday n Joe Gotcher, 32, of Sulphur Springs for an absentee ballot under the Texas Elec- Hall furthered argued local officials on charges of possession of 4 to 200 grams was transported 7:25 p.m. Thursday to the tion Law in the first place,” Bettercourt said should communicate directly with their state of a penalty group 1 controlled substance, Hopkins County Jail to be held on warrants in a statement. representatives and senators and said the bill possession of more than 10 items of iden- for bail jumping and failure to register as a This comes as a reaction to former Har- tifying information, failure to ID a fugi- “encourages and enhances direct participa- sex offender. Bond was set at $60,000. ris County Clark Chris Hollins’ attempt to tive and aggravated assault with a deadly tion between officials at the local and state n A Rowlett man, 24, turned himself in mail an application to all registered voters in weapon. Deputies responded to shots fired levels.” A bill authored by Hall in the 2019 11:32 a.m. Thursday on a Hopkins County legislative session passed the Senate but died Harris County. Hollins argued eligibility for at CR 4711 and Highway 11 west, and an early voting ballot was made clear on the when they arrived on scene, witnesses re- warrant for assault causing bodily injury, in the House. family violence. Bond was set at $5,000. The Texas Municipal League countered mailers. The Texas Supreme Court struck it ported the suspects had fled in a vehicle. in a letter that “restricting community advo- down in October, stating he was overstep- Deputies found Lambert and another sus- Hopkins County communications oper- cacy represents a limited view of public dis- ping his authority by proactively sending pect just down the county road. Deputies course and policymaking, not to mention a them. learned that Lambert and the other suspect ators answered 668 non-emergency phone potentially dangerous understanding of the “It is disappointing that the Court has allegedly traveled to the area to pick up a calls, 178 calls for service and 101 emergency constitutional guarantees afforded to all cit- sided with political forces seeking to limit vehicle, and during a disturbance, Lambert calls. From 5:30 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Fri- izens.” voter access this November,” Hollins said reportedly brandished a firearm. A report- day, officers filed nine offenses and conducted TML further argued the bill’s passage in a statement after the decision. “Placing edly consent search of the vehicle allegedly one special patrols, two funeral escorts and would “permanently fracture the relation- limitations on non-partisan outreach that located methamphetamine inside the vehi- 63 traffic stops. Twelve people were booked in ship between state and local government.” educates citizens about their Constitutional cle, and neither person reportedly claimed and 12 people were released from the Hopkins TML represents 1,160 cities across Texas, right to vote should not be acceptable in a ownership. Deputies allegedly observed a County Jail which held 161 inmates as of 5:30 68% of which have a population of 5,000 or democracy." pistol holster in a driveway and believed a.m. Friday..