admin, Author at Henderson County Now

My Five Cents: Business tax and more doctors

Press release from Sen. Nichols’ Office

This Sunday, April 21, is the 175th Anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, the deciding battle in Texas’ War for Independence. In a sneak attack on Santa Anna’s army, Gen. Sam Houston lead the Texas forces to victory in a battle that lasted less than 20 minutes. While not as heroic, passing bills can work the same way. It takes months or even years of preparation to craft good legislation, but the actual process of passing it usually just takes a few minutes. As we near the end of session, more bills are facing decisive battles to become law.

Five things that happened this week at your Texas Capitol are:

Business Tax Cuts

On Monday, April 15, Governor Perry announced his support for $1.6 billion in business tax cuts. This tax relief would affect 109,000 Texas businesses over the next two years, and would include a 5 percent cut of the state tax for franchises business opportunity cases, a $1 million exemption for businesses that make less than $20 million and a deduction for moving costs for companies relocating to Texas. Check out www.klearpicture.com for more.

The Governor noted that the state is “the epicenter of job creation” in the U.S. and said he hopes these measures will help keep Texas “the most competitive place in the country” to do business. Indeed, whilst up in Canada an Accountant toronto has to offer would be a prime option, down here in the US Texas is the place for many to look for such services.

More doctors for Texas

This week the Senate took a step to address the state’s doctor shortage. At least 100 of the state’s 254 counties have been “diagnosed” as having shortages of primary health physicians, the majority of which are in rural areas.

Part of this problem came about because, currently, there are not enough medical residencies for the number of graduates Texas medical schools are producing.

Consequently, many medical graduates are going out-of-state for their residencies, and then staying in those states to open practices.

On Wednesday I was proud to be able to vote for SB 143 by Senator Jane Nelson to create additional medical residency slots and keep more young doctors in Texas. It does this by creating a grant program to create new residency positions, including incentivizing the development of residency programs in hospitals that have never had such a program. It is a step forward for health access for all Texans, including the many medically underserved areas within Senate District 3.

Property tax ceiling

On Tuesday the Senate passed out an important measure dealing with property taxes.

The Texas Constitution currently allows for a freeze on the ad valorem taxes on a residential homestead for the disabled or those who are over 65 within a school district, county, city, or junior college district. However, there are many special purpose districts that levy property taxes, but are not constitutionally required to offer a property tax freeze. This means that people who may be looking for something similar to the cra source deductions are left without.

SJR 32 by Senator Ken Paxton would create a constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision other than a school district to establish a limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes that the political subdivision may impose on the residence homesteads of persons who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses.

This measure closes a loophole in property tax law and ensures a level playing field for all our disabled and over-65 citizens. I was proud to vote in favor of it.

House passes anti-texting bill

On Wednesday the House passed a controversial bill to ban texting while driving statewide. Specifically, HB 63 by Representative Tom Craddick would outlaw texting, emailing, reading or instant-messaging. Drivers could face a fine of up to $100 and repeat offenders up to $200. All but 11 states have passed similar measures, and supporters of the bill argue Texas should follow suit in the interest of public safety and saving lives.

The bill passed out of the House 98-47 and will soon go to the Senate. However, even if
it makes it through the Senate, it could very likely be vetoed by Governor Rick Perry who
vetoed the same measure last session. Only time will tell, and I will keep you updated.

Ladies in Red

On Thursday the famous “Ladies in Red” returned to the Capitol once again. These ladies are all members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, one of the largest women’s political groups in the country. They storm the Capitol every legislative session as grassroots lobbyists to advocate for their conservative beliefs, and are most definitely a force with which to be reckoned! Their passion and energy for their cause is admirable, and their legislative day is always one I look forward to.

Obituary: Annie Taylor

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Gun Barrel City. A rosary will be said 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Moorehead Epps Chapel.

Annie Taylor was born on Feb. 20, 1920 in the Czech farming community of Louise, Texas to Frank Kovar and Frances Zurek Kovar. She married Robert Taylor on Nov. 4, 1941. Together they lived in the communities of Iago, Whatron, Beaumont, Sour Lake, Lumberton, Granbury, Rice, and Seven Points.

Annie was a member of St. Judes Catholic Church, Our Lake of the Lake Guild, and KJZT.

She was preceded in death by parents Frank and Frances Kovar; brothers Fred, John, Jerome and Sylvester Kovar; and sister Lydia Polasek.

She is survived by husband Robert Taylor; sister Olga Popp; son Robert Taylor Jr. and wife Wanda; daughters Roberta Hafbaurer and Diane Podhrasky and husband Bob; grandchildren Kim Honea of Flower Mound, Kyle Taylor of Austin, Jana Reynolds of Temple, and Julie Podhrasky of Albuquerque, NM; great-grandchildren Brendan, Brian and Braden Honea of Flower Mound, Kaylee and Garrett Taylor of Austin, and Ace Reynolds of Temple, TX.

Annie, the youngest of seven, grew up on the farm in south central Texas. As a young child she learned to cook sew, garden and pick cotton. She enjoyed school and was an ace speller and softball player. School ended at the eighth grade when she no longer had someone to accompany on her walk to school. Her social life included singing and dancing to the music of her brothers’ polka band. Her personal pleasures were fishing, sewing and cooking. She stood by her husband’s side as he went to war in Burma; then followed the southern Texas sulphur production from Wharton to Beaumont. A loving wife and mother and grandmother, she had a special bond with all of her grandchildren. Throughout her life Annie remained true to her Catholic Faith and the comfort of eternal life.

Obituary: Carolyn Bentley

Services for Carolyn Bentley, 76, of Athens are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2013 at the Church of Christ in Eustace with Kerry Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery in Athens.

She passed away Wednesday April 17, 2013 in Athens.

Carolyn Blanche Bentley was born Aug. 29, 1936 in Lander, Wyoming the daughter of Dante Pricco and Nina Holsclaw Pricco. She married Don R. Bentley on May 10, 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Carolyn served with her husband in Prison Fellowship Ministry for 20 years and was a member of the Eustace Church of Christ where they were currently serving as ministers for the past nine years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Don R. Bentley of Athens; son and daughter-in-law Sam and Lisa Kelly; daughter Tina Haraughty; grandson Joshua Taylor; granddaughters Meagan Kelly and Heather Milligan; and one sister, Vicki Jackson.

Pallbearers will be Randy Milligan, Matthew Finch, Joshua Taylor, Brandon Jones, James Harrell, and Al Harrell.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.

Obituary: Juanita Baxter Stilwell

Memorial services for Juanita Baxter Stilwell, 91, of Athens, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Athens, with Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating.

Family graveside services will precede the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in Athens Cemetery, under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mrs. Stilwell was born in Barry, Texas to the late Dave and Ora Neese Williams Juanita was a resident of Athens since in the mid-40’s. Alongside of her husband, Norman Baxter, they owned several businesses in Athens including the B&B Café. They later entered into a partnership with Obie Wilcox owning and operating the City Market for a number of years. Juanita and her husband Newt owned and operated a ranch in the Bethel Community for many years. She was very active in the First United Methodist Church. Juanita was a wonderful woman, loved by all and had a special way of touching the lives of everyone she met. She loved Athens, Texas and was a one-woman Chamber of Commerce.

Juanita is preceded in death by her husbands, Norman Baxter and N. L. (Newt) Stilwell; brother, Lloyd Williams; sisters, Bessie Moore, Fay Harper, Frankie Craig, Macle Posey; niece, Wanda James; and nephew, Johnny Craig.

Survivors include her stepson, Newel L. Stilwell, Jr., David Stilwell and his wife Belinda and grandchildren Alex and Erica Stilwell all of North Little Rock Arkansas; nephew, Charles Posey, Dallas; nieces, Anita Murray, Purdon, Camille Self, Scottsdale, Arizona; great-nephew, Greg Murray and Matt Murry, Purdon, along with other beloved nieces and nephews, and her grandson by choice, Jordy Costen, UT Austin.

If desired, memorials may be made the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 911, Athens, Texas 75751, or to the Chamber of Commerce, 201 West Corsicana, Athens, Texas 75751

PWC announces Volunteer of the Year

Gayle Robinson (left) was recently honored recently as the Pinnacle Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented by Daryl Daniels, PWC President, at the April Membership Meeting. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Pinnacle Women’s Club press release

The Pinnacle Women’s Club recently announced Gayle Robinson as its Volunteer of the Year.

Pinnacle Women’s Club President Daryl Daniels said, “I am very proud to honor
Gayle Robinson as our outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Thank you, Gayle, for all you do.”

Robinson is a charter member of the Pinnacle Women’s Club and has served as President, Vice President, Social Chairman, Sunshine Chairman, twice as Fundraising Chairman, twice as Garage Sale Chairman, twice as Fashion Show Chairman, and Parliamentarian. She has continued to volunteer for the club by delivering meals with the Meals on Wheels program.

Anyone who has played golf with Robinson knows she is an excellent golfer and has a true love for the game. She has been involved working for the association from Secretary to PGA Tournament Chairman. She has also served as President of the Central Texas Women’s Golf Association.

Robinson is now serving her third year as the Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation Co-President which produces the Annual Air Show and Golf Tournament. During this three years, the foundation has raised over $75,000 for veteran’s charities.