Latest news with #HouseBill48
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Abbott promotes West Texas growth with new bills
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Governor Greg Abbott made a stop in Midland Thursday, joined by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, Senator Kevin Sparks, Representative Tom Craddick, Representative Brooks Landgraf, Midland Mayor Lori Blong, and other state and local officials and energy leaders, to sign a series of bills passed during the 89th regular legislative session. Abbott said these bills will safeguard Texas' robust oil and gas industry and spur economic growth across West Texas. 'Today is a defining moment for the Permian Basin, for the future of this region, as well as for the future of Texas,' Governor Abbott said. 'The Permian Basin, what we like to call the land out of the high sky and where the sky is the limit. It's a land of purpose, a land of promise. It's a place where of unlimited opportunity for all who dream big, work hard, and never give up,' Evans. In West Texas, oil and gas are king. 'I like to call the people of West Texas people with a compassionate heart and a rocket engine. I like to call it the largest secure supply of energy in the world, which it is,' governor Abbott said. The Permian Basin produces more that six million barrels of oil every day. 'The Permian Basin is the lifeblood of Texas. It's the lifeblood that quite literally powers our engines, but equally literally that powers our economy,' Governor Abbott said. But being the highest-producing oil field in the US comes at a cost. 'Many of you all have complained about oil field theft and for a good reason. It's on the rise and it's very costly,' the Governor said. Oil field theft has hit the Basin hard. Law enforcement officials said more than $2,000,000 worth of stolen equipment has been seized this year alone. 'Your Senator and Representatives got three laws to my desk to fix that,' Governor Abbott said. First, House Bill 48 will establish an oil field theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety. 'The second is Senate Bill 498 by Senator Sparks, sponsored in the House by Representative Landgraf. It establishes the Theft of Petroleum Products Task Force,' Governor Abbott said of another bill signed today. The third, Senate Bill 1806, will allow police to confiscate petroleum products that have been stolen. 'It creates a program to inspect oil and gas tankers for possible theft, and it increases criminal penalties for theft of petroleum products in Texas,' the Governor said. 'The crackdown on oil theft in Texas is now law.' Another bill signed today addressed the demand for economic growth in the Basin. 'Having been the governor of the state, it's ranked number one in the United States for economic development. Not once, not twice, but actually 13 years in a row, Texas has been the national champion for economic development,' Governor Abbott said. To foster that growth, he signed Senate Bill 529. 'It's a program that will help Midland to boost hotel and convention projects and to attract more tourists and businesses to your great city.' Leadership within the Tall City said the bill will help keep local dollars here. 'Over the last few years, we've seen so much of the revenue coming from oil and gas and from other things going out of the Permian Basin and really resourcing the rest of the state budget,' said Mayor Blong. 'I often think of the Permian Basin as the goose that lays the golden egg for the state of Texas and if they want us to continue to be able to lay those golden eggs, then they're going to have to invest in our infrastructure, they're going to have to invest in our local economy, they're going to have to invest in the health care and public safety and education of our students.' Now that these critical bills have been signed into law, Governor Abbott said locals will start to see some changes. 'It's going to transform the entire Permian Basin region for decades if not a century,' he said. One thing that Governor Abbott wanted to make clear to all- our local lawmakers were essential in making these changes happen. 'You all are fortunate to have representatives who deliver on solutions to the problems you face, so give it up for Speaker Craddock, Senator Sparks, and Representative Landgraf and Representative Darby for everything they have done to get things across the finish line,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Leaders speak on ruling that cuts Metro Council in half
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Tuesday, the state Court of Appeals found 'the Small Government Efficiency Act' constitutional and House Majority Leader William Lamberth applauded the decision. In 2023, the state legislature passed House Bill 48, which limited the number of metropolitan councilmembers to 20. The law was seen as retribution against Metro Council's decision not to support hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention. Last July, a Nashville court ruled that the law violated the Local Legislation Clause of the Home Rule Amendment to the state constitution. Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Metro Councilmembers celebrated the decision. The ruling prevented the law from going into effect. However, a three-judge panel in the state's Court of Appeals found the law to be constitutional and reversed the lower court ruling, allowing it to go into effect. PREVIOUS: Metro Council could be downsized following latest appeals court ruling Lamberth, who sponsored the House version of the law, added that Republicans would 'continue to cut waste at all levels of government' in a social media post Tuesday. Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) also applauded the ruling. '[The] ruling is a win for efficient and effective governing,' Watson said in a statement provided to News 2. 'The law places restrictions on the size of metro government councils and is intended to improve government efficiency – a key focus of conservatives in the Tennessee General Assembly. The Court of Appeals affirmed what we have always believed, that the legislature constitutionally has the authority and responsibility to ensure government continues to best serve Tennesseans.' News 2 spoke with attorney Brandon Smith, currently a partner at Holtzman Vogel and the former chief of staff for Tennessee Attorney General Johnathan Skrmetti, about the decision — and he said he agrees. 'When a city becomes ungovernable and turns to taxpayers for bailouts, someone has to put the brakes on,' Smith said. 'The efficiency found from a smaller council — Nashville's council is currently the third largest in the country, just behind Chicago and New York, and it's been this size since the county was officially consolidated in the early 60s. It's time for some needed change.' As of publication, Metro Council has 35 district members and five at-large members, which boils down to each district representing roughly 20,000 people. Some worry about what cutting that representation in half would look like — especially when considering largely-minority areas. 'I really think it's going to hurt those communities, but it's going to hurt all communities because you're going to have districts that are going to be combined,' Antoinette Lee, Metro Councilmember for District 33, told News 2. 'To me, a plus for Metro — you did not have to be rich or a lawyer or be well-endowed financially to be on the Council because you could work your regular job and you can do this. That is going to be very challenging now with huge areas.' 'Antioch bows to no council member': Some constituents call for Metro Councilmember's resignation following immigration remarks As of publication, Metro Councilmembers get paid $25,000 dollars each year. This move could mean having to pay council members to go full-time to cover larger districts. Vice Mayor Angie Henderson said the math all boils down to how many of the 20 council members will be 'at large.' 'Why this bill was filed at the state and kind of the process that we're going through — I personally feel that the kind of call for efficiency and effectiveness was somewhat specious,' Henderson told News 2. 'I do think it was targeted legislation and that we can't just say by virtue of our size that that's inherently a bad thing.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Metro Council could be downsized following latest appeals court ruling
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A three-judge panel in the state's Court of Appeals found a law that would cut the size of Metro Council in half is, in fact, constitutional. In 2023, the state legislature passed House Bill 48, which limited the number of metropolitan councilmembers to 20. The law was seen as retribution against Metro Council's decision not to support hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention. JULY 2024: State law reducing Metro Council size ruled unconstitutional Last July, a Nashville court ruled that the law violated the Local Legislation Clause of the Home Rule Amendment to the state constitution. Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Metro Councilmembers celebrated the decision. The ruling prevented the law from going into effect. However, a three-judge panel in the state's Court of Appeals found the law to be constitutional and reversed the lower court ruling, allowing it to go into effect. 'At its most fundamental level, this case represents a power struggle between State government and local government,' Tuesday's majority ruling reads, in part. 'I applaud the Court's decision today affirming the constitutionality of the Small Government Efficiency Act,' Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said in a social media post. 'This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents. Republicans will continue to cut waste at all levels of government.' Nashville could appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. 'We are understandably disappointed and concerned about the ruling's implications on local sovereignty. But we are also encouraged by Judge Armstrong's compelling dissent,' Allison Bussell with Metro Legal told News 2 in a statement. 'We are digesting the ruling and considering our options.' ⏩ I am grateful to the Metro Department of Law for their expert argument before the Court of Appeals in March of this year to uphold the Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on behalf of the voters and residents of Metro Nashville. Metro Nashville was first in the nation to fully consolidate a city and a county government, and in so doing, a 40-member, highly representative, local legislative branch was created by the voters. I am disappointed that today's Court of Appeals decision failed to respect the will of our voters. The Home Rule Amendment of the Tennessee Constitution, in part, stands for the proposition that the size of the Metro Council is a decision for the voters of Metro Nashville. The General Assembly's 2023 Small Government Efficiency Act was advanced purportedly to address the 'efficiency & effectiveness' of Nashville's legislative branch. For the last 60 years, this 40-member Council has capably and effectively served the interests of our constituents, who today number some 715,000. Over the course of this recent term, this Council has delivered numerous efficiency improvements, and we will continue to represent all Nashvillians to the best of our ability. I appreciate the dissenting opinion of Judge Armstrong and look forward to discussing our next steps with Metro's Department of Law. Statement from Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners brace for daunting future as new threats escalate insurance costs: 'Increases as high as 300%'
The latest wildfires in California have left homeowners in and outside the state uncertain about insurance coverage and rates. According to The Park Record, homeowners in Utah may experience higher insurance rates as a result of the climate crisis. Over the past few years, homeowners in Summit County, Utah, have faced increasing wildfire insurance rates. In some cases, residents have lost their coverage completely, per The Park Record. With the recent wildfires in Southern California, experts warn homeowners that rates may increase even more. As The Park Record explained, insurance companies rely on national risk assessment formulas to determine coverage. So for homeowners in Summit County, more wildfires along the West Coast equals higher risk. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While insurance companies used to evaluate homes on an individual basis, now updated software examines communities as a whole, using average statistics to assess entire areas. As rising global temperatures cause more intense and frequent wildfires, insurance companies have used their risk software to increase premium rates or remove coverage completely in high-risk areas. "Some Summit County homeowners have seen their insurance prices double," co-owner of C&W Premier Insurance Clair Christoffersen told The Park Record. "And homeowners associations are seeing increases as high as 300%." The wildfire insurance situation out West serves as yet another example of the consequences of the climate crisis. As temperatures continue to rise and result in extreme weather events, homeowners in vulnerable areas are struggling to maintain affordable coverage. Worse still, the continued use of dirty energy only exacerbates the globe's warming temperatures, which in turn yields more powerful storms that endanger communities. Politicians have proposed new legislation to address the insurance crisis in Utah. State Representative Casey Snider, for instance, proposed House Bill 48, which is specifically designed to retarget and outline risk zones using a state-run mapping system. With the state-mapping systems, homes would be evaluated based on individual neighborhoods and properties, creating fairer risk assessments for homeowners. Outside of policy action, residents can help combat rising global temperatures by making eco-friendly changes. Simple lifestyle adjustments, such as ditching single-use plastics, transitioning toward clean energy, and shopping secondhand, can make a big difference over time. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Carolina unemployment payments would go up $100 per week under proposed bill
North Carolina lawmakers are weighing an uptick in unemployment payments, proposing a bill that would raise the cap from $350 to $450 weekly. House Bill 48, which was heard and approved by the House Finance committee on Tuesday, comes months after an executive order boosted unemployment payments to a $600 weekly cap following Hurricane Helene. That increase is set to expire on March 1. 'We have created a very healthy (unemployment) fund,' said Rep. Julia Howard (R-Davie), who is co-sponsoring the bill. 'I think it's reasonable to think the fund will sustain itself at $400 a week.' Entering the hearing, the new increased rate was set at $400. But a Democrat-led amendment to bump it to $450 found unanimous support Tuesday. 'We're putting more of our money back into our economy instead of letting it sit there,' said Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover), who proposed the change. Howard said she wasn't opposed to the change — acknowledging that before discussing the proposal with the Senate, she had favored a higher increase. 'When it goes to the Senate, I have no clue what changes they might make to it,' Howard said. Under current North Carolina law, the state pays out 12 weeks of unemployment insurance, with weekly payments set at 50% of an individual's prior wages. Those payments are currently capped, however, at $350 per week. The bill would not impact those who have already filed for higher payments after Helene, legislative staff said Tuesday. Those people's weekly rates were set in their first week of payments. Federal disaster money has also funded an additional 14 weeks of unemployment payments for Helene-impacted counties in the mountains. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, shortly after Helene devastated western North Carolina, issued an executive order adding a $250 bonus to that 50% base rate, and raised the weekly cap to $600. That order expires when the state's disaster declaration for Helene does — on March 1. The bill both ratifies Cooper's order — but also says that he did not have the authority to issue it in the first place. 'It's questionable, but we don't think he had the authority,' Howard said of Cooper's order. 'But we felt that it was necessary that we do ratify, and at the same time show a definite termination date.' But Democrats expressed concern Tuesday that the part of the bill ending Cooper's executive order could also hamper future efforts to boost unemployment after disasters. 'The challenge that I see, and worry about, is the governor can act a lot faster than this body generally does,' said Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe). Butler also proposed an amendment Tuesday to remove that section from the bill. It was voted down by Republicans on the committee. North Carolina's unemployment fund is funded through assessments on businesses, who pay into the fund at varying rates. The bill being considered would also create a tax credit for those employers. That credit would be equal to the amount the employer paid toward the fund in the fourth quarter of 2024. As of 2023, North Carolina's unemployment trust fund sits at $5 billion. More than a decade ago, lawmakers passed a bill significantly shortening how long the state pays out unemployment. The 2013 law cut the total length from 26 weeks to a range of 12 to 20 weeks, depending on the employment rate. It also set the current weekly cap of $350. The current length of 12 weeks is triggered anytime the unemployment rate is below 5.5%. Those changes came as lawmakers sought to dig out of a federal loan — taken out to cover a wave of unemployment claims stemming from the 2007-08 recession. 'That's when we were really in a world of hurt,' Howard said. 'That's when we redrafted the state plan and made a lot of changes to it.' Critics of the current plan have argued it is among the least generous in the nation — and that North Carolina's current fund and growth could safely allow for higher payments. Advocates have previously urged the General Assembly to increase the duration of benefits back to 26 weeks; to increase the maximum cap; and to change the way weekly benefits are calculated, among other measures. HB 48 now heads to the powerful House Rules Committee, where it will need to win approval before it can be considered by the full House of Representatives.
