Latest news with #JimRoss
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
New law closes massive tax loophole CBS News Texas discovered that allowed developers to avoid paying millions
A new law has taken immediate effect this week with Gov. Greg Abbott's signature, abolishing a loophole in the law that the CBS News Texas I-Team first brought to light over a year ago. "I'm happy. I'm ecstatic," said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross of the new law. For months, he's been pleading with Texas lawmakers to put a stop to what's known as "travelling HFCs", a practice that's allowed real estate developers to avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes. "I was pissed. I still am," he told CBS News Texas in March. Housing Finance Corporations, or HFCs, are non-profits set up by cities or counties. They're intended to help them create affordable housing in their own communities. The I-Team found evidence, though, that that's not always what has happened. CBS News Texas discovered four small Texas cities (Pecos, Pleasanton, Edcouch, and La Villa) and two small counties (Maverick County and Cameron County) – none of them within three hundred miles of the metroplex - have used their HFCS to give North Texas developers huge tax breaks in exchange for money. In many cases, we learned, they've done it without even notifying the local community, affected by the significant loss of tax revenue. North Texas city leaders have told us it's forced them to consider raising taxes or cutting back on services. "We have to find ways to make up the millions and millions of dollars – and if you look statewide, it's billions of dollars - that come off the tax roll," said Ross. The Texas House and Senate this month each passed House Bill 21 with a two-thirds majority, allowing it to take immediate effect. It makes it illegal for HFCs to approve any further deals outside the boundaries of the city or county that created them without explicit permission from the affected taxing entities. The bill's author, State Rep. Gary Gates, said it also puts new requirements on the hundreds of out-of-town HFC deals that have already been made. "It gives them until January 1 of 2027, so that's about 18 months, to go to the city or county where the property is located and get an agreement to continue," said Gates. And, if they don't get approval? "Well, then they'll have to start paying property taxes," said Gates. The reform bill will put stricter rules in place for traditional HFCs, too – the kind working within the cities and counties that established them. That's prompted opposition from groups like the Texas Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, which says no one took issue with HFCs before bad actors began making out-of-town deals two years ago. "It went far beyond just solving the travelling HFC issue," said TALHFA's Todd Kerchevel of the reform bill. Any developer getting a tax break through an HFC will now have to prove at least half of the savings they get for a multi-family housing project is used to lower the price of rent there. The exact dollar figure will change year to year, which critics say could make things tricky. "They're trying to hit a moving target, by doing that it puts their tax exemption in jeopardy and by putting your tax exemption in jeopardy, you put your financing in jeopardy," said Kercheval. But, in Arlington, a city with its own HFC, Ross doesn't see a problem. "Is there any concern that this could stop sort of legitimate affordable housing efforts?" CBS News Texas asked him. "None. Not from our perspective. We're very confident in our HFC and what they're doing. Other cities around the state are just as confident with theirs," he said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Ross, Oklahoma native & legendary wrestling announcer, reveals colon cancer diagnosis
Legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross announced he has been diagnosed with colon cancer. The Oklahoma native revealed on social media Thursday that he learned of his condition earlier in the week and he is scheduled to have surgery within the next two weeks. Advertisement "I appreciate your concern and support," Ross said. Considered one of the greatest wrestling personalities to put on a headset, Ross became a star during his time in WWE, as he spent more than 20 years with the company through two stints. His passion on calls and ability to capture big moments — plus his catchphrases like "by god" — is what made him a well-regarded voice for wrestling fans. He was paired up with Jerry "The King" Lawler during most of his time with the company, forming one of the most iconic duos in wrestling commentary. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Ross signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and has been with the company since then. He began as the lead play-by-play announcer for the start of AEW Dynamite but the 73-year-old has gone through some health issues during his time with the promotion, resulting in a reduced schedule. Advertisement In October 2021, Ross revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer, but was cancer-free two months later. In February 2024, he said he had cancer surgery for his right hip. Ross' last time appearing for AEW commentary was in April for the Dynasty pay-per-view. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jim Ross, legendary wrestling commentator, diagnosed with colon cancer
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Arlington City Council passes resolution opposing Tarrant County redistricting process
Arlington City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night opposing the Tarrant County redistricting plans, joining a growing list of elected leaders who are calling for commissioners to halt the process. "I don't want to become adversarial, but I'll stand up for the residents of my community any day of the week, and I'll continue to fight that battle," said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. The push to redraw the precinct boundary lines is being led by Republican County Judge Tim O'Hare, who brought in a conservative law firm in early April to draft five proposed maps. Redistricting typically follows the decennial U.S. Census, which last occurred in 2020. Republican commissioners have been open in public comments that their goal is to increase GOP representation on the court. Arlington's resolution urges the court to slow down the process to allow for more community input and legal analysis. "This is not an anti-redistricting," Ross said. "It's not anti-political parties. I certainly understand that the Supreme Court has said you can redistrict along party lines if that's what you choose to do, but in doing so, you're still obligated to adhere to the laws of the State of Texas and the federal Voting Rights Act." Ross said outside legal experts also have concerns about using the 2020 census numbers to redraw the precinct boundaries. "The problem is, you say Tarrant County has grown considerably, yet you use old data that was already evaluated by the previous commissioners court, who found there wasn't enough changes to warrant any redistricting five years ago," Ross said. "If Tarrant County has grown, and I believe it has, you need to redistrict according to what that new data is showing you." Ross and nine other Tarrant County mayors, including Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, signed a joint letter to commissioners laying out the potential issues they see with the plan. The court is set to vote on the proposal on June 3, nine weeks after voting to hire the law firm to come up with the new maps. "I've never seen a redistricting process move at this speed," said Ross. "You know, typically you're taking, minimum, 6 to 12 months to get things done. It's just not feasible to be able to do it and adhere to the guidelines." Ross plans to be at next week's meeting to voice his opposition to the process. CBS News Texas reached out to County Judge Tim O'Hare multiple times for comment on the criticism surrounding the redistricting process and has yet to receive a response. In an op-ed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Commissioner Manny Ramirez said, "Now is the time to act, while we can still ensure that Tarrant County's future is shaped by the conservative principles that have made it the greatest place in America."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Ross Shares Health Update After Colon Cancer Diagnosis
WWE Hall of Famer and AEW commentator Jim Ross recently provided an update on his health after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He first announced the diagnosis on May 15 through a post on social media. Ross informed the fans that he would undergo surgery within the following week or two. He said, 'Diagnosed this week with colon cancer. Surgery being scheduled in the next week or two. I appreciate your concern and support.' Advertisement On a recent episode of Grilling JR, Ross shared that cancer had affected two areas. He will have surgery for 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27. 'Getting ready for surgery, and that's always stressful but I've prepared myself mentally and physically to endure the situation.' Ross acknowledged that recovery might prompt him to slow down. 'I'm thinking I'll really slow down after the surgery. I'll talk to the doctor, and see what he says. I'll try to really slow down when this is over. Make a few autograph appearances, which I love to do, and see what Tony Khan's got ready for me in AEW.' Ross hopes to stay active & return to AEW following surgery. 'I could still do my schedule I had, but I don't know if anybody else believes that. I believe it, I still would love to do the pay-per-views in AEW, but I don't know if Tony will want me on, I don't know.' Stone Cold & Tony Khan reached out to Jim Ross 'I was at home and I got a call from Steve Austin. And when we got off the phone, I looked at my phone and we talked for 43 minutes. 43 minutes. And here's what your friends do. They call you, they talk to you, and at the end of the conversation, they tell you they love you. That's what Steve did. So that's what I got. And that cheered me up. And it made me feel strong and vibrant. Tony Khan called me, which was nice. You know, the Khan family has done an amazing job of taking care of JR since I signed with their company. He's very talent friendly. Maybe too friendly at times.' Advertisement Despite the unfortunate news, Jim Ross made it clear that he has no plans to retire. 'I don't plan on retiring, I plan on getting healthy and getting well and doing something for somebody and we'll see how that works out.' [H/T: f4wonline] Read More: Did You Know Jim Ross Was A Referee Early In His Career? The post Jim Ross Shares Health Update After Colon Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Ready to kick this cancer out!': WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross undergoes successful colon cancer surgery
(WWE Hall of Famer and AEW commentator Jim Ross) WWE Hall of Famer and current AEW broadcaster Jim Ross has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer after a visit with his doctors earlier this month. The long-time "Voice of Wrestling" announced earlier this month that he was suffering from his second bout of cancer. However, recent reports suggest that the WWE Hall of Famer has undergone a major cancer removal surgery this morning on May 28. This is not the first time that the WWE Hall of Famer is battling with cancer, the AEW star also successfully fought skin cancer back in 2021. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross' major health update after undergoing colon cancer surgery The iconic AEW announcer Jim Ross has recently shared that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. On May 26th, he informed fans that he was scheduled for surgery on May 27th. Ross made the initial announcement on May 15 and shared the news with his fans and admirers, taking to his X account. The Hall of Famer wrote, 'Diagnosed this week with colon cancer. Surgery is being scheduled in the next week or two. I appreciate your concern and support.' Following this, Jim Ross started his recovery process, and in a new post shared the morning of his procedure, the icon confirmed that he had checked in and was ready for surgery. Sharing the update, he wrote, 'Checked n and ready to kick this cancer out on its a**.' The 73-year-old star posted a selfie with one of his daughters from the hospital, offering a brief update as he prepares to begin treatment. While his fans and admirers were all waiting for an update throughout the morning, they received a positive update courtesy of JR's podcasting partner Conrad Thompson. His close friend and podcast co-host Conrad Thompson shared a positive update about his surgery today on social media, tweeting: 'Just heard from @rmorfnyc that JR's surgery went well and they hope to have successfully removed all of his cancer this morning! Please keep @JRsBBQ in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery!' Thompson mentioned that the surgery was successful, and doctors claimed that they had been able to remove all his cancer this morning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Greatest Enemy of Blood Sugar? Try This Tonight! Magazine Glyco Learn More Undo Also Read : WWE stars attend NBA playoffs: Triple H steals the spotlight courtside | WWE News - Times of India In a recent podcast, Ross revealed that the procedure has a recovery time of about one week, and the WWE Hall of Famer hopes to be able to return to work for AEW and do some autograph signings shortly. He also indicated that he will join the All In show in Texas. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
