A key House education committee adjourned last week without voting on a school voucher bill that is Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priority this session, the Houston Chronicle reported. Barring some unforeseen maneuver in the last week of the regular legislative session, the bill is effectively dead for now. The Senate had approved a bill that would provide Texas families $8,000 in taxpayer money to fund…

By Tony Farkastony@polkcountypublishing.com In my daily travels through the bizarreness that passes for news stories, I constantly come across examples of projection and denial of epic proportions, particularly when it comes to politics. Those currently in power, regardless of stripes, will lambaste certain groups with accusations of division and hate while exhibiting those very same qualities.…

By Rep. Trent AshbyRepresenting District 9 As we reflect on the recent observance of Peace Officer Memorial Day, I am filled with deep reverence and gratitude for the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This solemn occasion reminds us of the profound impact these selfless individuals have had on our lives, as they dedicated themselves to protecting and…

On May 18, 1912, the USS Texas, also known as Battleship Texas, launched and quickly became one of the most powerful weapons in the world. It is credited with the introduction and innovation of advances in gunnery, aviation and radar. She is the last surviving Dreadnought and the only battleship in existence today that fought in both World War I and World War II. Here are five things happening…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com May 22, 2023 - Statement From the Texas Legislative Black Caucus "This afternoon, the Texas House of Representatives voted 83-62 to pass Senate Bill 17 on third reading. SB 17 (Creighton) would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public colleges and universities. Texas currently leads as one of the most diverse states in the nation that has…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com Here we go again. The United States finds itself once again embroiled in a contentious debate over the debt ceiling, a limit on the amount of money the government can borrow to finance its operations. This artificially imposed restriction has historically led to unnecessary political gridlock, economic uncertainty, and potential harm to the nation's…

It’s official. Fort Hood, named for a high-ranking Confederate officer in the Civil War, has been renamed Fort Cavazos, in honor of native Texan Richard E. Cavazos, the country’s first Hispanic four-star general. Fort Cavazos is the Army’s largest armored, active-duty military installation, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman. It is one of nine that are being renamed around the…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com “The churches greatest mistakes occur when the people of God honor what a leader says without examining that instruction in the light of scripture. (American Theologian Bryan Chapell) Matthew 24:24 “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the…

By Tony Farkastony@polkcountypublishing.com As a quasi-musician and definite music lover, I spent a lot of time playing and talking about songs, playing, music trends and the lot. One of my musically inclined friend said something that was pretty telling when we were talking about the differences in lyrics and topics over the years. I can remember most of the song lyrics from tunes I loved…

By Rep. Trent AshbyRepresenting District 9 As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we are reminded of the incredible impact that moms have on our lives. Mothers are the ones who guide us through life’s challenges, offer support and encouragement, and provide us with unconditional love. This special day serves as a reminder to honor and celebrate the wonderful women who have shaped us into the men and women…

The first few bills have made it to the governor’s desk for his signature, which signals the end of session is fast approaching. Of the over 8,000 bills filed this session, just over 100 bills and joint resolutions have been sent to the governor and four have been signed into law. Here are five things happening around your state: House Bill 4 passes the Senate This week the Senate passed the…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com Various news accounts over the last few weeks got me feeling the lyrics to the song “Creep” by the band Radiohead. “But I’m a creep I’m a weirdo What the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here” The news stories that made me think maybe I’m the weirdo included the accounts of adults legally marrying 12-year old’s, hundreds of children working at fast…

By Tony Farkas Most likely many of you watched the anachronistic games being played out last weekend with the coronation of King Charles III. All the pomp and heraldry went along with installing a man to a monarchy that has been nothing more than magisterial cosplay for decades, even though there’s a sizeable chunk of change given to the royals every year. While the pageantry probably was epic,…

This week we celebrate Cinco de Mayo! On May 5, 1862, Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French expeditionary forces at Puebla, Mexico. Here are five things happening around your state: Ankle monitor bill heads to the governor This week, a bill that would increase penalties for tampering with, disabling or removing an ankle monitor overwhelmingly passed the House. The Senate passed the…

By Rep. Trent AshbyRepresenting District 9 As we kick off the month of May, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank the teachers in our communities during Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers play a crucial role in shaping the minds of the next generation and have always been a pillar of support for our students. Teachers often go above and beyond the call of duty, spending countless…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com If you’ve followed my columns for any time, my position on the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be clear to you. I believe strong AI, or general AI if you prefer, is an existential threat to humanity. One often mentioned threat is that AI becomes much more intelligent than we are, but its goals are not aligned with those of humanity. I often…

With the 88th Legislature entering the final 30 days of session, the House is hard at work hearing and debating a wide range of bills on the floor and passing several key priorities. Please stay tuned as I provide insights on the latest developments during these last few weeks of session. With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol. Capitol Update I am very pleased to report that House…

It was a long day. You had to work overtime for the third day this week to finish one of a dozen projects you were working on that seemed more like busy work than advancing any goal. That college degree you are still paying for 10 year’s later has nothing to do with the job you are now working. Your old car is in the shop, again, but who can afford a new one at $50,000? Your rent has gone up 50…

By A.J. RodriguezGuest columnist Texas boasts a thriving economy, now ranking as the ninth largest in the world. However, to ensure that all Texans benefit from this growth, we must provide modern-day infrastructure in the form of broadband internet, much like the farm-to-market roads of the past. Nearly three million Texas households lack broadband access, and five million more face unreliable…

By Tony Farkastony@polkcountypublishing.com I remember hearing different things for the branches of the nation’s armed forces, slogans chosen to inspire and recruit. The Army: Choice, Not Chance. We Want You. Army Strong. Be All That You Can Be. Or the Marines, who always were First to fight, Always Faithful (Semper Fidelis), or even The Few, the Proud. The Navy: It’s Not Just a Job, It’s an…

What a good time we had last weekend at Tempe Creek Vineyard and Farms participating in the Earth Day fundraiser to benefit Polk County Recycling & Beautification (PCRB). It was a perfectly beautiful day spent visiting with friends old and new and enjoying live music, wine and charcuterie. Over 100 people attended and $11,000 was raised. PCRB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed by…

By Will CreeleyGuest columnist When it comes to criticizing the powerful or politically connected, the First Amendment protects the little guy. No matter who you are or how much money you have in the bank, you have the right to speak your mind. Because the Founders knew all too well the danger of granting the government the power to decide who can and cannot speak, the First Amendment was…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com I carry in my pocket a medallion with a skull and the words Memento Mori engraved on it. The words are a Latin phrase that translates to “Remember you must die.” I carry it to remind myself that the reality of being human should determine what I do and say and think. Following that creed isn’t easy for any of us because, in fact, we are only human. After…

By Tony Farkastony@polkcountypublishing.com Sometimes the ridiculous comes in waves so large that you just can’t pick just one thing to focus on. It’s times like these that I’m glad I live in a part of the country that still has most of its sanity and still believes in good. Here’s a few of the weirdnesses that I’ve run across this week, and they are listed in no particular order. •After Elon…

By Rep. Trent AshbyRepresenting District 9 The Battle of San Jacinto was a defining moment in Texas history and a shining example of the unbreakable spirit and fierce pride that defines our great state. On April 21, 1836, a small but determined army of Texans, led by the legendary General Sam Houston, stood up against overwhelming odds and fought with every fiber of their being to defend their…

By Peter Funt Even baseball purists like myself, who still aren’t comfortable with designated hitters and restrictions on where fielders may be positioned, find themselves overwhelmingly in favor of the new pitch clock. Requiring pitchers to throw within 15 seconds (20 if there are runners on base) has not only shortened games, it has made the confrontation between batter and pitcher more…

By Tony Farkastony@polkcountypublishing.com Indelibly etched into the psyche of America is the attack on Sept. 11, 2001, when Islamic “extremists” flew jetliners into the Twin Towers and attempted the same on the Pentagon. The country, which was reeling, demanded a response, demanded answers, and demanded that the government do its job and ramp up national security. Part of the response was us…

By Jim Powersjim@polkcountypublishing.com The shortest story in literature is six words long and attributed to the writer Earnest Hemingway. “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” Taken at face value, it looks like a classified ad in the back of the newspaper. Just words. But because you are a human being, you instantly understand what those words represent beyond selling a pair of shoes. The words…

I hope you took the time to reflect on the meaning of Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection. From my family to yours, hope you enjoyed a blessed and happy Easter. Here are five things happening around your state: 1. School safety bill heard in committee This week Senate Bill 11 was heard in the Senate Education Committee. I authored Senate Bill 11 based on the recommendations on school…

By Rep. Trent AshbyRepresenting District 9 After another long and productive week in Austin, I was delighted to head home for a long weekend with family to celebrate the Easter holiday. Easter is one of my favorite holidays, a celebration the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, I hope we take time to reflect on what the Easter holiday represents — the grace of an awesome God who loves us so…