Transcript:
Monday, June 3rd news.
Our representative in the Texas House Eddie Morales, in his regular newsletter this month, said in the last session, the Legislature provided more than 18 billion dollars in tax relief.
He wrote that Senate Bill, which he co-sponsored, increased the homestead exemption from 40 thousand to 100 thousand dollars.
It bought back seven billion dollars in local property taxes, reducing rates to 10.7 cents for every 100 dollars of property value.
And the bill implemented a three-year “circuit breaker,” a 20 percent cap on appraisal increases for commercial and non-homesteader properties of less than 5 million dollars.
He said the state does not set property tax rates and appraisal values. That is all done at the county appraisal districts.
But, he said, the state actions will produce an average savings of 13 hundred dollars per year for property owners.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar has again encouraged Texans to take advantage of the states 529 College Savings Plan.
They can use one of the three programs to pay for their children’s higher education expenses.
Hegar said putting money away for children’s college funds while paying everyday expenses can be difficult for some families.
He said before having children, his wife and he committed to start each of them with a 529 college savings plan when they were born.
Texas offers three 529 plans, the Texas College Savings Plan, the Lone Star 529 Plan and the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
They are known as 529 plans because they are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
For more information about the plans, visit SaveNowForCollege.com or call 800/445-GRAD, that’s 4723.
The Alpine School District has posted on Facebook its congratulations to Alpine Lady Bucks Coach Cory Cason for being named the Regional Track and Field Coach of the Year.
Coach Cason was one of only two 3-A Girls Track and Field Coaches statewide who received this honor.
Coach Cason has coached the Lady Bucks Track and Field program to four straight District Championships and four straight Area Championships.
The post said this established Alpine as a West Texas Girls Track and Field Powerhouse.
The City of Alpine has said that June utility disconnections will happen on Wednesday, June 26, if payment has not been received by then.
Past-due accounts will be disconnected for non-payment if prior arrangements have not been made.
Fees of 35 dollars each for disconnections and reconnections will be applied to those accounts.
To avoid service interruption and the associated fees, utility payments must be made by 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 25.
Customers may make payments at the payment drop box outside of City Hall, inside the office or online by registering at cityofalpine.com.
The Big Bend Bluegrass Association has reminded fans to put the date on the calendar for the next Bluegrass Festival in Alpine on October 4 and 5 at the Alpine Civic Center.
For lodging, the Hotel Parker is the host hotel. But hotel or B-and-B, the association reminds that lodging in the area fills up quickly this time of year.
For those who travel by R.V., the association says Lost Alaskan R.V. Park offers everything you need.
We’ll have more on the festival as the date approaches. For more information, see bigbendbluegrass.com
This has been your local and area news report for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM and KALP 92.7 FM
Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.