PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT - SATURDAY ......2021/01/30 · PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT -...
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PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT - SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 Business Honor Roll A Celeation Yea In Business A Celeation Yea In Business 2021 1002 Wharf St. • Rockport, TX • 361-729-9900 www.rockportpilot.com Aransas County's Community Newspaper since 1869 Rockport Pilot The 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 152 YEARS 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 15 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E E E E E E E E E E E E E E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A R R R R R R R R R R R R R R S S S S S S S S S S S S S S Sea Shell Shoppe Est. 1946 Oldest Gift Shoppe in Downtown Rockport! GIFT SHOP SOUVENIRS JEWELRY COASTAL DECOR SHELLS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 120 N. Austin St. in Downtown Rockport 361-729-6325 Open 7 days a week from 9:30 to 5:00 C o m e “S ea ” U s ! ! 7 5 YEAR S 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R S S S S S S S S S S S S S S 1-800-750-0491 361-758-3206 THE NEW CLASS OF WORLD CLASS. 2352 West Wheeler Aransas Pass ARANSAS AUTOPLEX SUPERSTORE Our family has been proudly serving South T exas for over 90 years! 92 + YEAR S 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E E E E E E E E E E E E E E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A R R R R R R R R R R R R R R S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S WWW.ARANSASAUTOPLEX.COM 98 YEAR S SHOP AT HOME SHOP SMALL ... It just makes cents! Lawmakers start $7 billion away from target Texas House and Senate lead- ers appear to agree on their pro- posed budgets. Next, they just have to figure out how to cut $7.2 billion. Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, worked with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to propose a state bud- get of $119.7 billion in gener- al funds. House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, proposed the same budget figure, indicat- ing a collaborative spirit at the start of the 87th session. That spirit will be tested as leg- islators try to meet Comptroller Glen Hegar’s budgeted revenue forecast of $112.5 billion. “We have many tools avail- able to balance this budget, which will require us to re-es- tablish our priorities, stretch every dollar and find more effi- cient ways to deliver services,” Nelson said in a statement. Among the priorities she set: • Maintaining the education funding increases and teacher pay raises established in 2019, including $3.1 billion to fund enrollment growth for public education and $1 billion in addi- tional state aid related to proper- ty tax compression in the 2022- 23 biennium. • $5 billion for payroll growth and continued reforms to the Teacher Retirement System passed last session. • $8.1 billion to fund higher education institution formulas. • Combined projected funding of $8 billion for mental health across 24 state agencies, includ- ing an increase of $19.5 mil- lion to maintain operations for the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium; more than $1 million in new funding to cre- ate a peer-to-peer counseling network and increase access to licensed mental health provid- ers for Texas Law Enforcement Officers; and $145 million to continue community mental health grant programs. • $352.6 million for wom- en’s health programs, includ- ing the continuation of the Healthy Texas Women pro- gram’s enhanced postpartum care services implemented by the Legislature last session. • $57.6 million to contin- ue fighting human trafficking through prevention, detection, victim services and the justice system. • $1.3 million to perform necessary maintenance on the Texas Election Administration Management System, which manages voter registration in Texas. • $39.1 million in new appro- priations to fortify security at the Texas Capitol, including addi- tional troopers and enhanced safety measures. • $30.4 billion to the Texas Department of Transportation to address the state’s transpor- tation needs, including $26.4 billion dedicated for highway planning, design, construction and maintenance. Phelan’s statement indicat- ed the same support for public education and also included an appropriation of $74.2 billion for the Texas Medicaid pro- gram, including $27.4 billion in general revenue. The House version includes an additional $920 million to address project- ed caseload growth. “The decisions we make during the 87th legislative ses- sion will have lasting effects on the future of our state, which is why the House will work to improve our business climate, foster economic prosperity, and do what’s right for our stu- dents,” Phelan said. Gov. Abbott, TDEM expand COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line workers of small businesses (Friday, Jan. 22) Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced the expan- sion of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line workers at Texas small busi- nesses by dedicating one million BinaxNow Rapid Tests to the program. The COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Testing Program launched in December as a pilot program and has helped small businesses throughout the state conduct rapid tests on employ- ees to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Through this program, TDEM will provide local Chamber of Commerce organizations with COVID-19 testing supplies that will then be allocated by the Chambers of Commerce to local small businesses that choose to participate in the program. Small businesses can then administer these tests to employees who choose to par- ticipate. The program has been developed using the framework of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Pilot Program for Texas school systems, implemented by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and TDEM in October, that pro- vides access to rapid testing for Texas teachers, students, and staff in participating school sys- tems. “The small business rapid testing program is protecting the safety of small business owners, their employees, and Texas consumers as we contin- ue to combat COVID-19,” said Gov. Abbott. “By expanding this effective strategy, it will help us further detect and mit- igate this virus so we can keep Texas safely open for business. Thank you to our participating Chamber of Commerce organi- zations for continuing to work with the State of Texas to help protect our communities and small businesses.” Chamber of Commerce orga- nizations that wish to partici- pate in the program will receive instructions for registering for the program directly from TDEM, or they may visit https:// tdem.texas.gov/chambertesting/ for further information. Small businesses interest- ed in participating in the pro- gram should contact their local Chamber of Commerce for more information. ••• Gov. Abbott, TEA open grant applications for students with cognitive disabilities impacted by COVID-19 (Thursday, Jan.28) Governor Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) launched an online application for the Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES) program, which allows eligi- ble families of children with significant cognitive disabilities and complex educational needs to apply for a $1,500 online account to be used in the SSES marketplace. The goods and ser- vices in the marketplace can help families mitigate educa- tional setbacks resulting from the extensive disruptions to edu- cation prompted by COVID-19. These services do not reduce or eliminate the responsibilities of schools to provide a free appro- priate public education (FAPE) to all students. Under the program - which was established last fall with $30 million in funds by Gov. Abbott and state leaders - at least 18,000 students with sig- nificant cognitive disabilities statewide will be in position to receive a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for the purchase of a broad range of educational resources and services. Priority will be given to Texas families receiving income assistance and to families that have document- ed financial needs. “The SSES program provides crucial academic resources to students with cognitive disabil- ities and will help close the educational gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Abbott. “I urge eligible Texans to apply for this fund- ing so that the State of Texas can partner with them and pro- vide more support to Texas stu- dents.” Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said, “I encourage eli- gible parents of special educa- tion students to apply for the Supplemental Special Education Service program grant. Helping children with cognitive disabili- ties has been a priority of mine for over thirty years and I am so glad we can offer this SSES grant at this time. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that our special education stu- dents have additional resourc- es to help with the disruptions brought about by the pandemic along with the additional chal- lenges they face.” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said, “This program is yet another example of the innovative ways in which our state is working to close gaps in our system of public edu- cation. COVID-19 has created a host of new challenges for students, families, and teach- ers—but particularly for those students requiring special edu- cation services. These one-time grants will positively impact thousands of Texas families and help students to keep pace aca- demically despite the ongoing disruptions tied to the pandem- ic. We encourage eligible fami- lies to apply quickly.” Once approved for the pro- Coronavirus News releases gram, families will be provid- ed access to a ClassWallet- managed online portal and a digital spending account which they can use with providers that have been vetted and approved by TEA. The portal will pro- vide information on available resources and services, allow families to make purchases, and provide them with full account and balance information. The program will support students who were enrolled in Texas public schools during the 2019- 20 school year and are currently enrolled for the 2020-21 school year. The TEA is requesting that school systems across the state encourage eligible families of K-12 students identified with complex disabilities or signif- icant cognitive disabilities to review eligibility requirements and complete the online appli- cation through the secure por- tal. Following the submission of an application, eligible families will receive an email to create their SSES marketplace account through ClassWallet to access the one-time $1,500 per eligible student grant. Additional program informa- tion, resources, and the appli- cation can be found here. Any program and related eligibility questions should be directed to the SSES team: ssesinfo@tea. texas.gov. By CHRIS COBLER State Capital Highlights Lawmakers start $7 billion away from target
Transcript of PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT - SATURDAY ......2021/01/30 · PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT -...
PAGE 8B - THE ROCKPORT PILOT - SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021
Business Honor RollA Celebr ation of Years In BusinessA Celebr ation of Years In Business
2021
1002 Wharf St. • Rockport, TX • 361-729-9900
www.rockportpilot.com
Aransas County's Community Newspaper since 1869
Rockport PilotThe
111111111111152 YEARS1111111111111155555555555555222222222222222 YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Sea Shell ShoppeEst. 1946
Oldest Gift Shoppe in Downtown Rockport!
GIFT SHOP
SOUVENIRS
JEWELRY
COASTAL DECOR
SHELLS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
120 N. Austin St. in Downtown Rockport361-729-6325
Open 7 days a week from 9:30 to 5:00
Come “Sea” Us !!
75 YEARS7777777777777755555555555555 YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
aransasautoplex.com1-800-750-04912006 West Wheeler
Aransas Pass361-758-3206
THE NEW CLASS OF WORLD CLASS.
2352 West WheelerAransas Pass
ARANSAS AUTOPLEX SUPERSTORE
Our family has been proudly serving
South Texas for over 90 years!
92+ YEARS99999999999999222222222222222++++++++++++++ YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
WWW.ARANSASAUTOPLEX.COM
98 YEARS
SHOP AT HOMESHOP SMALL
... It just makes cents!
Lawmakers start $7 billion away from target
Texas House and Senate lead-ers appear to agree on their pro-posed budgets. Next, they just have to figure out how to cut $7.2 billion.
Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, worked with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to propose a state bud-get of $119.7 billion in gener-al funds. House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, proposed the same budget figure, indicat-ing a collaborative spirit at the start of the 87th session.
That spirit will be tested as leg-islators try to meet Comptroller Glen Hegar’s budgeted revenue forecast of $112.5 billion.
“We have many tools avail-able to balance this budget, which will require us to re-es-tablish our priorities, stretch every dollar and find more effi-cient ways to deliver services,” Nelson said in a statement.
Among the priorities she set:• Maintaining the education
funding increases and teacher pay raises established in 2019, including $3.1 billion to fund enrollment growth for public
education and $1 billion in addi-tional state aid related to proper-ty tax compression in the 2022-23 biennium.
• $5 billion for payroll growth and continued reforms to the Teacher Retirement System passed last session.
• $8.1 billion to fund higher education institution formulas.
• Combined projected funding of $8 billion for mental health across 24 state agencies, includ-ing an increase of $19.5 mil-lion to maintain operations for the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium; more than $1 million in new funding to cre-ate a peer-to-peer counseling network and increase access to licensed mental health provid-ers for Texas Law Enforcement Officers; and $145 million to continue community mental health grant programs.
• $352.6 million for wom-en’s health programs, includ-ing the continuation of the Healthy Texas Women pro-gram’s enhanced postpartum care services implemented by the Legislature last session.
• $57.6 million to contin-ue fighting human trafficking through prevention, detection, victim services and the justice system.
• $1.3 million to perform necessary maintenance on theTexas Election AdministrationManagement System, which manages voter registration in Texas.
• $39.1 million in new appro-priations to fortify security at theTexas Capitol, including addi-tional troopers and enhanced safety measures.
• $30.4 billion to the Texas Department of Transportation to address the state’s transpor-tation needs, including $26.4 billion dedicated for highwayplanning, design, construction and maintenance.
Phelan’s statement indicat-ed the same support for publiceducation and also included anappropriation of $74.2 billionfor the Texas Medicaid pro-gram, including $27.4 billion in general revenue. The House version includes an additional$920 million to address project-ed caseload growth.
“The decisions we make during the 87th legislative ses-sion will have lasting effects on the future of our state, whichis why the House will work toimprove our business climate,foster economic prosperity, anddo what’s right for our stu-dents,” Phelan said.
Gov. Abbott, TDEM expand COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line
workers of small businesses (Friday, Jan. 22)
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced the expan-sion of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line workers at Texas small busi-nesses by dedicating one million BinaxNow Rapid Tests to the program. The COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Testing Program launched in December as a pilot program and has helped small businesses throughout the state conduct rapid tests on employ-ees to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Through this program, TDEM will provide local Chamber of Commerce organizations with COVID-19 testing supplies that will then be allocated by the Chambers of Commerce to local small businesses that choose to participate in the program. Small businesses can then administer these tests to employees who choose to par-ticipate. The program has been developed using the framework of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Pilot Program for Texas school systems, implemented by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and TDEM in October, that pro-vides access to rapid testing for Texas teachers, students, and staff in participating school sys-tems.
“The small business rapid testing program is protecting the safety of small business owners, their employees, and Texas consumers as we contin-ue to combat COVID-19,” said Gov. Abbott. “By expanding this effective strategy, it will help us further detect and mit-igate this virus so we can keep Texas safely open for business. Thank you to our participating
Chamber of Commerce organi-zations for continuing to work with the State of Texas to help protect our communities and small businesses.”
Chamber of Commerce orga-nizations that wish to partici-pate in the program will receive instructions for registering for the program directly from TDEM, or they may visit https://tdem.texas.gov/chambertesting/ for further information.
Small businesses interest-ed in participating in the pro-gram should contact their local Chamber of Commerce for more information.
•••
Gov. Abbott, TEA open grant applications for students with
cognitive disabilities impacted by COVID-19
(Thursday, Jan.28)
Governor Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) launched an online application for the Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES) program, which allows eligi-ble families of children with significant cognitive disabilities and complex educational needs to apply for a $1,500 online account to be used in the SSES marketplace. The goods and ser-vices in the marketplace can help families mitigate educa-tional setbacks resulting from the extensive disruptions to edu-cation prompted by COVID-19. These services do not reduce or eliminate the responsibilities of schools to provide a free appro-priate public education (FAPE) to all students.
Under the program - which was established last fall with $30 million in funds by Gov. Abbott and state leaders - at least 18,000 students with sig-nificant cognitive disabilities statewide will be in position to receive a one-time grant of up
to $1,500 for the purchase of a broad range of educational resources and services. Priority will be given to Texas families receiving income assistance and to families that have document-ed financial needs.
“The SSES program provides crucial academic resources to students with cognitive disabil-ities and will help close the educational gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Abbott. “I urge eligible Texans to apply for this fund-ing so that the State of Texas can partner with them and pro-vide more support to Texas stu-dents.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said, “I encourage eli-gible parents of special educa-tion students to apply for the Supplemental Special Education Service program grant. Helping children with cognitive disabili-ties has been a priority of mine for over thirty years and I am so glad we can offer this SSES grant at this time. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that our special education stu-dents have additional resourc-es to help with the disruptions brought about by the pandemic along with the additional chal-lenges they face.”
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said, “This program is yet another example of the innovative ways in which our state is working to close gaps in our system of public edu-cation. COVID-19 has created a host of new challenges for students, families, and teach-ers—but particularly for those students requiring special edu-cation services. These one-time grants will positively impact thousands of Texas families and help students to keep pace aca-demically despite the ongoing disruptions tied to the pandem-ic. We encourage eligible fami-lies to apply quickly.”
Once approved for the pro-
Coronavirus News releases
gram, families will be provid-ed access to a ClassWallet-managed online portal and a digital spending account which they can use with providers that have been vetted and approved by TEA. The portal will pro-vide information on available resources and services, allow families to make purchases, and provide them with full account and balance information. The program will support students who were enrolled in Texas
public schools during the 2019-20 school year and are currently enrolled for the 2020-21 school year.
The TEA is requesting that school systems across the state encourage eligible families of K-12 students identified with complex disabilities or signif-icant cognitive disabilities to review eligibility requirements and complete the online appli-cation through the secure por-tal. Following the submission of
an application, eligible familieswill receive an email to createtheir SSES marketplace accountthrough ClassWallet to accessthe one-time $1,500 per eligiblestudent grant.
Additional program informa-tion, resources, and the appli-cation can be found here. Any program and related eligibilityquestions should be directed tothe SSES team: [email protected].
By CHRIS COBLERState Capital Highlights
Lawmakers start $7 billion away from target
