The San Saba News & Star - April 22, 2021 - 3 OPINION & MORE worked for legislators for more State Health Services issued the nonagricultural jobs, according Lt. Gov. : Press Association than a decade in various senior notice following extremely iso- to the Texas Workforce Com- staff positions. lated reports of blood clots in a mission. Abbott has also nominated half-dozen recipients of the J&J “Positive job numbers for Statements on the Peter Lake to be the new chair vaccine — all in women between March continue to show Texas is of the PUC, which regulates the the ages of 18 and 48, according on track for continued growth,” Passage of Senate Bills state’s power grid operations. to the CDC. TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel SB 2 - ERCOT Reform Lake now serves as chair of the As of April 12, more than 6.8 said. “TWC will continue to Texas Water Development Board. million doses of the J&J vaccine provide flexible and innovative Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued mandates that all ERCOT board All three previous PUC mem- have been administered in the training programs to help provide this statement April 14th fol- members reside in Texas and bers resigned after February’s . There is no word all Texans with skills they can use lowing the passage of Senate that the CEO of ERCOT and winter storm led to massive of when the vaccine might be for workforce success.” Bill 2, the Electric Reliability the five unaffiliated members power outages across the state. used again. The 6.9% rate is more than Council of Texas (ERCOT) of the board be appointed by House passes bill to allow hand- Number of Texans vaccinated double the state’s record low Reform Act, by Sen. Kelly Han- the governor and confirmed by gun carry without a license edging toward 50%; cases of 3.4% in May 2019. Jobless cock, R-North Richland Hills: the . I congratulate The Texas House voted 87-58 steady claims have risen since the mid- "Immediately following Sen. Hancock and the Texas State Capital last week to allow handguns to be Even with the halt in distribu- February storm, and the state Winter Storm Uri, I pledged Senate for their passage of this carried without a permit. Under tion of the J&J vaccine, the num- has lost more than 400,000 jobs that I would get to the bottom of bill and for their continued work HIGHLIGHTS current law, a permit is required to ber of Texans who have received since the pandemic began early the power outages that caused in investigating the causes of carry handguns either concealed at least one dose of the Pfizer or last year, according to the federal so much suffering and death the February outages and the By Gary Borders or openly. If the bill becomes law, Moderna two-shot vaccines hit Bureau of Labor Statistics. across Texas and do whatever changes that need to be made any Texas resident not already 44.5% as of Sunday, according FEMA extends registration for needed to be done to fix it. The to prevent similar problems Early voting underway across prohibited by state or federal law to DSHS. storm damage claims need for ERCOT reform was an going forward." state from owning a gun could legally A total of 6.37 million Texans The Federal Emergency obvious first step. Senate Bill 2 Early voting began Monday carry a handgun. are fully vaccinated — roughly Management Agency has ex- for May 1 elections in county, According to the Texas Tri- 20% of the state’s population. tended the registration period SB 4 - Star Spangled Banner Protection Act city and school district elections. bune, Lieutenant Governor Texas is receiving more than for individuals whose property Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued that pander, insulting our na- Secretary of State Ruth R. Dan Patrick, who presides over 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 was damaged in the winter storm this statement April 9th follow- tional anthem and the men and Hughs encourages all eligible the Texas Senate, previously vaccine this week. until May 20 in the 126 qualify- ing the passage of Senate Bill women who died fighting for voters to take advantage of the expressed qualms about easing The number of new CO- ing Texas counties. The state’s 4, the Star Spangled Banner our flag. The passage of SB 4 early voting period, which runs handgun laws. Numerous law VID-19 cases in Texas last week emergency management agency Protection Act, by Sen. Dawn will ensure Texans can count through Tuesday, April 27. Texas enforcement officials and - con dropped slightly from the previ- made the extension request. Buckingham, R-Lakeway: on hearing the Star Spangled voters can contact their respective cealed handgun license instruc- ous week at 23,521, while deaths Individuals can apply online "Sports bring us together at Banner at major sports events county elections office to view tors opposed the measure, citing dropped to 374, a decrease of at www.disasterassistance.gov a time when too many things throughout the state that are a sample ballot, locate their ap- concerns over safety. A number of 27%, according to the Corona- or by calling 800-621-3362. The divide us. Congratulations to played in venues that taxpay- propriate polling place, and plan El Paso-area lawmakers opposed virus Resource Center at Johns toll-free line is operated from Sen. Buckingham and the Texas ers support. We must always their trip to the polls. Additional the measure, recalling the mass Hopkins University. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a Senate for their support of this remember that America is the information is available at . Walmart there in August 2019. COVID-19 patients currently in Gary Borders is a veteran New PUC commissioner con- Texans are tired of sports teams of the brave.” State halts distribution of J&J Texas hospitals increased slightly award-winning Texas journal- firmed vaccines to 2,929. That number is down ist. He published a number of Will McAdams, nominated by SB 10 - Stop Taxpayer Funded Lobbying Use of the single-shot Johnson nearly 80% from the high mark community newspapers in Texas Governor to a slot on & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in mid-January, when more than during a 30-year span, includ- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued conservative reform is long the Public Utilities Commission, has been temporarily halted in 14,000 Texans were hospitalized ing in Longview, Fort Stockton, this statement April 15th fol- overdue and I look forward to was unanimously confirmed by Texas following a recommenda- with COVID-19. Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. lowing the passage of Senate it becoming law. I congratulate the Texas Senate last week. tion last week from the Centers Jobless rate unchanged at 6.9% Email: . Funded Lobbying Act, by Senate on the passage of SB 10 president of the Associated Build- and Drug Administration. March remained steady at 6.9%, Senator , R- and for taking a principled stand ers and Contractors of Texas and The Texas Department of with the state adding 99,000 total Houston: on behalf of Texas taxpayers." "The vast majority of Tex- Senate Bill 10 is authored ans in both political parties by Senators Paul Bettencourt, have long-supported ending R-Houston, , Congressman August Pfluger, U.S. Representative taxpayer-funded lobbying and R-Granbury, , it is a top priority for me. Texas R-New Braunfels, Brandon for the 11th Congressional District of Texas voters simply do not want the Creighton, R-Conroe, , local officials they have elected R-Edgewood, , Congressman Pfluger is Seeking Gold Star Family Member Pfluger Says: Bring Born-Alive Bill To Vote to represent them spending R-North Richland Hills, Bryan for Position in San Angelo Office their tax dollars on hired-gun Hughes, R-Mineola, Angela Wednesday, April 14th, Congressman August Pfluger signed a dis- lobbyists who often have no Paxton, R-McKinney, Charles Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) is seeking a Gold Star Family charge petition for H.R. 629, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection connection to their community Perry, R-Lubbock and Drew Member for a position in his San Angelo district office. Act, that mandates that any infant born alive after an abortion receives and may be working against Springer, R-Muenster. In an April 15th press release, Pfluger, who represents the 11th Con- the same standard of care as any newborn baby. This legislation would their interests. This principled gressional District of Texas, said the person selected for the fellowship also institute penalties for abortionists who allow infants to die or who will work with constituents to handle VA casework and be a facilitator intentionally kill a newborn. If the petition reaches 218 signatures, the SB 13 - Oil & Gas Investment Protection between constituents and federal, state, and local agencies. bill will be brought up for an immediate vote on the House Floor. “Gold Star Family Members are heroes,” said Congressman Pfluger. “Leaving a baby born-alive during an abortion to die is not a partisan Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued companies. If Wall Street turns “I am honored and delighted to welcome one of these exemplary indi- issue—it is infanticide,” said Congressman Pfluger. “All life is sacred, this statement April 15th fol- their back on Texas and our viduals to our team to serve the 11th District of Texas. This position will and Americans deserve to know if their legislators support protecting lowing the passage of Senate thriving oil and gas industry, directly serve veterans and incoming service academy applicants, as well life after birth. I am proud to stand up for the sanctity of life, and urge Bill 13, the Oil & Gas Invest- then Texas will not do business as constituents from all walks of life. It is a unique opportunity, and I all of my colleagues to immediately sign this petition and end infanticide ment Protection Act, by Sen. with Wall Street. I congratulate encourage any and all qualifying Gold Star Family Members to apply.” nationwide.” Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury: Sen. Birdwell for passing this The Gold Star Family Fellowship Program was established by the The Born-Alive Protection Act requires health care professionals "The oil and gas industry important legislation." House of Representatives to provide employment opportunities for present at the live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the is one of the cornerstones of Senate Bill 13 is authored families of our service members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice life and health of the child and transport the child to a hospital. It will the Texas economy, providing by Sens. Brian Birdwell, R- to our nation. also require health care practitioners and hospital employees to report millions of jobs for hardwork- Granbury, Donna Campbell, Gold Star Family Members are eligible for the program if they meet violations to law enforcement authorities, and penalizes the intentional ing Texans. In passing Senate R-New Braunfels, Bob Hall, all the following requirements: must be the parent, spouse, sibling, child, killing of a born-alive child through fines or imprisonment. Notably, Bill 13 today, the Texas Senate R-Edgewood, Charles Perry, or step-child of a service member who either died on active duty or of a the bill protects the mother of the abortion survivor from prosecution. made it clear that we stand by R-Lubbock, Charles Schwert- service member who received an Honorable Discharge and died due to both our oil and gas industry ner, R-Georgetown, and Drew a service connected disability within four-years of military separation. Pfluger: VP Harris must communicate that our border is closed workers and these job creating Springer, R-Muenster. Interested Gold Star Family Members can find more information and apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/596333900. Wednesday, April 14th, in a House Foreign Affairs Committee West- ern Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing, Congressman August Pfluger Pfluger: Biden’s Russia Sanctions Don’t Go Far Enough (TX-11) pressed a senior Biden Administration official, Ricardo Zúniga, Upcoming Changes the Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle within the U.S. Department Thursday, April 15th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), a of State, about the Biden Administration’s mishandling of the massive Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the follow- illegal immigration surge along the southern border. to ing statement responding to the Biden Administration’s newly-imposed Congressman Pfluger drew attention to the HHS Emergency Intake sanctions against Russia: Site for unaccompanied minors in Midland by stating, “The HHS officials “Russia must be held accountable for their adversarial actions against in Midland have told me specifically that this is the largest amount and San Saba News the United States and our democratic partners. The Biden Administration’s percentage of children that are being trafficked in the history of these sanctions are a good step in the right direction, but simply do not go far issues, so I am very concerned … I’d like to understand what Vice enough to impose real costs on the Putin regime. If the administration President Harris is going to do.” & Star is serious, it must immediately move to increase sanctions on entities Marking the Vice President’s 21st Day without a news conference Our mission—to reflect and report on our community—is made actively engaged on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This malign influence since being tapped for border crisis role, Pfluger said, “It is imperative possible by readers like you, and we deeply appreciate your support. project poses a serious threat to European energy security, and allowing that VP Harris communicate that our border is closed. 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