In a statement Tuesday, Senator Cornyn said he looked forward to working with the new President to cut Washington waste.
Cornyn also noted that the Office of Management and Budget had recently said 25% of government were either inefficient, or their efficiency could not be determined. He went on to restate his support for a "Sunset Commission" to end programs that don't work.
The Senator's statement follows:
"I welcome the President-elect's commitment to reform the federal budget process and rein in wasteful government spending. For my part, I look forward to working with President-elect Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress on quickly identifying and eliminating inefficient, ineffective and outdated federal programs.
"Families across Texas, and across the country, are forced to make tough decisions with their own budgets every day, particularly in the current economic climate. It should be no different for the federal government.
"Yet, year after year, too many government programs are funded because there are small—but vocal—special interest groups backing them with little Congressional oversight to determine when ideas have run their course. Already, in an initial analysis of 1,000 federal programs the Office of Management and Budget recently concluded that nearly 25 percent of them were either inefficient, or their efficiency could not be determined.
"That is why I have been a strong advocate for the creation of a Federal Sunset Commission to review federal spending programs. Modeled after Texas' own Sunset Commission, this bipartisan group would be tasked with reviewing federal programs, determining their efficiency, and making recommendations on whether they need reform or should be eliminated all together.
"While I have repeatedly pushed my colleagues in the Senate for this commission, it has never garnered the support it needs from the Democratic leadership. As the new session of Congress begins and President-elect Obama takes office, I will once again introduce my bill for a Federal Sunset Commission.
"If President-elect Obama is sincere in his pledge to work in a bipartisan manner and reform Washington spending habits, he will find a willing partner. I look forward to working with the President-elect, his economic team, and my colleagues in Congress to start tackling wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars."
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Housing Assistance tops the list of FEMA funding for Hurricane Ike recovery in Texas
FEMA's latest report, issued today, shows the agency has disbursed $310 million dollars to Texans for housing needs, and $77 million for transportation, medical expenses and personal property repair and replacement.
Excerpts from the complete statement follow:
AUSTIN, Texas -- More than one billion dollars in federal and state disaster assistance has gone to help Texans recover from Hurricane Ike. From the recovering residents in disaster-affected neighborhoods who are rebuilding their lives, to the local city governments that are repairing damages to their infrastructure, progress is being made because of hard work and substantial funding.
Included in the billion dollar's worth of recovery funds are:
* $310 million disbursed for Housing Assistance grants to rent temporary housing
* $77 million disbursed for Other Needs Assistance such as transportation, medical expenses and personal property repair and replacement
* $2.8 million disbursed in FEMA-funded disaster unemployment
* $345 million approved in SBA low-interest loans for renters, homeowners, and business owners
* $215 million billed to FEMA for hotel stays for displaced Texans
* $122 million obligated in Public Assistance, the first of many cost-share and state administered PA reimbursements. These funds go to local governments for debris removal, emergency protective measures taken before and after the storm, and infrastructure repair on a cost-share basis.
"Surpassing the billion dollar mark is a great stride in disaster recovery," said Stephen DeBlasio who heads up the federal recovery effort. "But many more steps are needed; as state, private, voluntary, and federal partners continue to put those in need on the road to recovery."
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Resigning Thursday, Packer says he has accepted a post with the Killeen Chamber of Commerce
The News-Journal has the story.
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The attack last Friday of a young Diana boy by a pit bull may lead to criminal charges.
Sources in the Upshur Sheriff's Department confirm that a case has been submitted to the District Attorney's office.
Gilmer --- Lt. Gary Roberts, who heads the Patrol Division of the Upshur Sheriff's Department, said the dog involved in the attack had been confiscated, and is currently quarantined at Spencer's Veterinary Clinic in Gilmer. The dog will be observed for 10 days for symptoms of rabies or other illness.
Lt. Roberts said the department had assembled and submitted the case to the District Attorney's office.
D.A. Billy Byrd said today he had not reviewed the case, and could not comment on a ongoing investigation. He did, however, say that if charges are filed, they could be either felony or misdemeanor charges, depending on the factors of the case.
According to the website DOG BITE LAW, Texas led the nation in the number of fatalities attributed to dog attacks in 2007. The site also quotes some other interesting statistics:
The most recent official survey, conducted more than a decade ago, determined there were 4.7 million dog bite victims annually in the USA. A more recent study showed that 1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency rooms as a result of dog bites. In 2007 there were 32 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most of the victims who receive medical attention are children, half of whom are bitten in the face. Dog bite losses exceed $1 billion per year, with over $300 million paid by homeowners insurance.
The site also notes that Texas is a "
One Bite State", saying
A "one-bite state" (also referred to as a "one free bite" state) adheres to the ancient "one-bite rule." This rule acts as both a shield and a sword, in that it shields dog owners from liability for some dog bites, while it imposes liability (acts like a sword) for other dog bites. Specifically, it provides that:
* The dog owner (and everyone else who is connected with the dog) is protected from liability as to the first injury caused by the dog, unless liability can be based upon other grounds.
* The dog owner, harborers and keepers will be held strictly liable for dog bites and other harm caused by a known dangerous propensity of the dog. For example, if the dog previously bit someone, and the owner knew about it, then the owner will be responsible every time the dog bites anyone else. Liability results from keeping a dog that was known to hurt people. The key to this type of liability is knowledge
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Nov 22nd traffic stop nets two arrests.
One man attempted escape after the traffic stop, and marijuana and methamphetamine were found.
Sheriff's press release follows.
SHERIFF BETTERTON SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY THE 22ND OFFICER CHAD LANIER RAN A LICENSE PLATE ON A VEHICLE WHILE TRAVLEING NORTH BOUND ON HWY 300. THE DISPATCHER ADVISED THAT THE REGISTERED OWNER WAS POSSIBLY WANTED. OFFICER LANIER THEN REQUESTED ASSISTANCE BY A PATROL UNIT FOR A TRAFFIC STOP.
MARC NICHOLS ASSISTED IN THE STOP AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON BORDER ST. OFF OF HWY 300 WHERE HE WAS ASSISTED BY GILMER POLICE OFFICERS JAMES CASEY AND ALBERT CABERRA. AFTER DEPUTY NICHOLS APPROACHED THE VEHICLE HE IDENTIFIED THE DRIVER AS KENNETH F. LEWIS AND THE PASSENGER AS JOHN P. WALKER. DEPUTY NICHOLS RAN BOTH SUBJECTS THROUGH THE UPSHUR COUNTY DISPATCH AND WHILE WAITING ON THE RETURNS JOHN WALKER RAN EAST OF THE TRAFFIC STOP. BOTH DEPUTY NICHOLS AND LANIER CHASED THE SUSPECT ON FOOT AND APPREHENDED HIM A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. JOHN WALKER WAS FOUND TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A 40. CAL. HANDGUN AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA.
OFFICERS THEN FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF METH. IN KENNETH LEWIS POCKET. BOTH SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE UPSHUR COUNTY JAIL.
KENNETH F. LEWIS 34 YEAR OLD GILMER MAN BONDS TOTAL $ 10,000
JOHN PATRICK LEWIS 36 YEAR OLD GILMER MAN BONDS TOTAL $ 18,000
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Sheriff Anthony Betterton reports that 170 calls for service were reported to the UPSHUR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE between the dates of 11-17-08 and 11-23-08.
Sheriff Betterton also reports that 69 people were booked into the Upshur County Jail on a variety of charges which include Assault Family Violence, Burglary of a Habitation, Theft, Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, Burglary of a Building, Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Manufacturing and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Evading Arrest, Theft by Check, Abandon or endangering a child, Possession of Marijuana, Parole Violation, Aggravated Assault, DWI, Federal Detainer, Unlawful Possession of a firearm by Felon, Robbery, Credit Card Abuse, Child Support, Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant and traffic. There were also 60 people released from the Upshur county jail.
Thefts 7
Assault 9
Burglary 4
Criminal Mischief 9
Disturbance 12
Traffic 29
Suspicious Vehicle/Person 11
Civil Matters 7
Assist other agency 5
Drug cases 14
Unwanted Guest 4
Deaths 1
Shots Fired 5
Juvenile 2
Harassment 0
Other 51
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Diana 7 year old left with 80 stitches after pit bull attack
After more than two hours of surgery, a seven year old East Texas boy is back home tonight, recovering from a pit bull attack. The boy was attacked Friday evening near his home in Diana, which is north of Longview on Highway 259.
KLTV has the full story.
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White Oak - Text from Mike Gilbert, superintendent at White Oak Schools blog follows:
he following is a copy of the message sent via our automatic phone system to our parents at 9:45 AM.
November 24, 2008
This is Mike Gilbert, superintendent at White Oak Schools. This message is being sent to inform you of a situation that occurred at the High School this morning, Monday, November 24.
At approximately 6:45 AM, White Oak Police informed the district that a 911 call had been received by an anonymous caller stating that someone was bringing a bomb to school. No other information was given to police. At this time the process of starting the school day was well underway.
After consulting with police, the decision was made to continue the school day with very strict procedures in place to insure the safety of students, faculty, and staff. I am pleased to tell you that by 8:45 AM the caller had been identified and the matter will be turned over to the White Oak Police Department for investigation. Let me assure you that White Oak ISD intends to prosecute this matter to the fullest extent of the law when the responsible parties have been charged.
Many of you may have seen the police in front of the High School today. The procedures that were put in place this morning were:
1. All access to the high school was restricted to the East and West doors.
2. All items carried into the school were searched by White Oak Police officers.
3. Campus Principals at the Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School were informed of the situation and secured their campuses. Backpacks and materials were checked by faculty and staff.
4. High School classes began on time and students experienced no delays getting to class.
5. White Oak Police continued to search the belongings of those entering the school until well after the start of school and police were on campus until the caller was identified.
It is my firm belief that your students are safe and that all necessary precautions were taken to insure that they remain safe. If you have any additional questions, please call 903-291-2001 and speak with High School Principal Dan Noll.
Thank you.
Michael E. Gilbert
--- BYLINE
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