July 2023

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The Texas Senate on the first day of the Legislature’s second special session unanimously passed a tax bill last Wednesday that increases the homestead exemption and includes a pay hike for teachers, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The first special session ended with the Senate and House unable to agree on how to provide property tax relief. The Senate bill provides a $2,000 pay increase for teachers in urban districts over the next two years, and a $6,000 hike for teachers in rural areas. It increases the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan are set to meet in an attempt to come to agreement on the property tax issue, after Patrick texted the best way to resolve debt differences between House and Senate versions would be to meet face-to-face. “They have responded; we’re looking forward to a meeting. ... Whenever that is, I believe we can get this resolved quickly,” Patrick told the Statesman. During the first special session, the House passed its version of a property tax package on the first day and immediately adjourned for the remainder of the 30-day session.

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THE FAMILY OF 1935 - 2023 Corine, Ben Rojo Jr., Linda Shuster, and Lorie Settle and their families would sincerely like to thank all relatives, friends, and neighbors for the many expressions of support, sympathy and kindness during Ben’s illness and his recent passing. Ben, our beloved father, grandfather, and husband passed away peacefully at his home on May 31, 2023, 88 years young surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.