Latest news with #PatCurry
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Waco-based film formally recognized by Texas House
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – Creative Waco and the Waco Independent Film Festival (Waco Indie) are celebrating a powerful moment for the city's creative community. The Texas House of Representatives has formally recognized The Heart of Texas, a short film made in Waco, with an official state resolution signed by Representative Pat Curry (District 56). According to Creative Waco, the resolution was presented at the Texas Capitol and honors the film for its critical acclaim, emotional depth, and celebration of Texas storytelling. It also serves as a reflection of Rep. Curry's commitment to uplifting the arts and artists in the Waco region. The Heart of Texas tells the story of aspiring country singer Janie May, and Jesús, whose lives intersect in a moment of crisis. What follows is a narrative of human connection, sacrifice, and the pursuit of the American dream. Creative Waco says this film was the winner of the first scriptwriting competition at the Waco Independent Film Festival (Waco Indie) and then quickly became a movement. Waco Indie is consistently ranked among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals in the World, and brings the Central Texas community together through bold, independent film. Since 2016, the festival has elevated Texas talent, showcased films from top-tier festivals, and built lasting careers through networking and education all with a signature dose of Waco flavor. The creators were able to bring the film to life with the support of a small grant from the festival. The Heart of Texas has been screened at major festivals including the Lone Star Film Festival, Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, Pasadena International Film Festival, and HollyShorts Film Festival London. It has won several awards including Best Short Film andBest Original Score. The film was even in consideration for an Oscar nomination this past year. 'This notable motion picture portrays a complex moral drama with humanity and empathy,' the resolution reads. 'It represents another impressive addition to the canon of cinema filmed in the Lone Star State.' Creative Waco says it commends Rep. Curry for recognizing the transformative impact of this film, and by extension, the entire creative sector on our region's identity and growth. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas Lawmaker Who Breeds Deer Wants to Abolish the State Wildlife Agency That Regulates Deer Breeders
In one of the more brazen acts of the 2025 Texas legislative session, a lawmaker who breeds high-fence deer has introduced a law to abolish the state fish-and-game agency that also helps regulate the breeding of high-fence deer. Texas Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco) says his proposed legislation is an attempt to reform and improve the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, an agency that he claims has 'lost its way.' It's one of several bills filed in the Texas legislature that seeks to overhaul the state's management of Chronic Wasting Disease and appears to be written explicitly for the Texas deer breeding industry. Curry's bill, H.B. 4938, would dissolve TPWD and transfer its primary functions to other existing state agencies. Among those responsibilities, TPWD oversees and manages the state's fish and wildlife resources, along with its parks and other state-owned lands. The agency also has a law enforcement arm made up of 493 game wardens and other professionals. All told, TPWD employs more than 3,000 people full-time, according to the agency. Under Curry's bill, however, those employees would be transferred to the 'appropriate [entities].' The General Land Office would oversee the management of state parks, hatcheries, wildlife management areas, and other public lands. The Department of Safety would take over law enforcement, and the Department of Agriculture would be in charge of managing and conserving the state's fish and wildlife. Importantly, that bounty of fish and wildlife includes the whitetail deer that are bred and kept on high-fence ranches in Texas. (Under Texas law, pen-raised whitetails are treated not as livestock, but as a state-owned natural resource that is used by breeders until they're released from a pen — at which point they can never be brought back inside.) And this is where the intentions behind Curry's bill are laid bare. It's no secret that Texas deer breeders have, at times, butted heads with TPWD regarding CWD and steps the agency has taken to contain the disease. Some of the biggest flare-ups in recent years have been around state-ordered depopulations, containment zones, and other rules restricting the movement of breeder deer. Citing these onerous regulations, which are meant to protect the state's wild deer herds, several breeders have told Outdoor Life that they believe TPWD is using CWD as an excuse to put them out of business. Read Next: Texas Officials Kill Off Deer Breeder's Entire Herd, Ending Yearslong Legal War Over CWD Management A separate bill filed by Curry this month would abolish the Texas Animal Health Commission, which has traditionally regulated livestock but now oversees captive deer herd depopulations along with TPWD's wildlife division. The TAHC also plays a major role in CWD testing and surveillance across the state. Curry did not respond to a request for comment from Outdoor Life Monday. He did, however, issue a statement that was shared in an online forum for Texas A&M students and alumni on Sunday. (In addition to being a self-described rancher and deer breeder, Curry is a former Aggie himself. He is also the president of an investment firm, an owner of a mining company, and a franchisee of Urban Air Adventure Parks, according to his LinkedIn page.) 'I have the utmost respect for game wardens. My legislation is not an indictment on the game warden community,' Curry said in the statement. 'Rather, the reforms I've offered are an attempt to improve upon a critical agency that's lost its way when it comes to fulfilling its role of protecting landowners, farmers, ranchers, parks, water ways, the hunting community, and business rights — which includes the deer breeding industry which accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars to the Texas economy.' Curry, who failed to mention the agency's role of conserving deer, other wildlife, fish, and habitat across the state, has introduced another bill that would severely limit TPWD's ability to regulate deer breeders. H.B. 3607 would eliminate certain provisions around permits, remove some existing regulations, and reduce the penalties for most breeder violations. It would also raise the minimum required height for breeder fences from seven to eight feet. A companion bill was filed earlier this month by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), who has repeatedly claimed that TPWD and TAHC 'have been weaponized' with the purpose of 'ending deer breeding in Texas.' Read Next: Oklahoma Plans to Combat CWD by Releasing Captive-Bred Deer into the Wild Accordingly, Hall has introduced a separate bill this session that would make pen-raised whitetail deer private property. This goes directly against the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which emphasizes wildlife as a public resource that is managed by state and federal governments for the benefit of all citizens … regardless of how tall their fences are. Hall's bill would likewise run afoul of a 2020 Texas Supreme Court decision, which reaffirmed that the state's whitetail deer, including those held by breeders, are owned by the public.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed bill could eliminate Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, transfer duties
A Texas lawmaker has proposed a bill that would abolish the state's Parks and Wildlife Department. House Bill 4938, filed by Pat Curry (R-Waco), would assign the functions of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to other state agencies. In addition to the TPWD's responsibilities, the General Land Office, Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Safety would also receive the department's funding. Current TPWD employees would also be transferred to these agencies. According to the bill, the duties of the TPWD would be distributed as follows: General Land Office: "regulation of parks, natural areas, wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, historic sites, or other public land, including any bodies of water" Department of Agriculture: "native plants, wildlife, or the conservation or management of native plants or wildlife, including hunting and fishing" Department of Public Safety: "enforcement of this code, game wardens or water safety, including the operation of [most] vessels; equipment for vessels; and the identification, numbering and titling of vessels" If passed, the bill would take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. Click here to read the bill. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department could be abolished if bill passes
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pat Curry seeks to end daylight saving time in Texas
Austin, Tx (FOX44) – State Representative Pat Curry (R-Waco) filed House Bill 1736 (HB 1736) on to end daylight saving time in the state of Texas. This would allow Texans to remain on standard time year-round. 'Ending daylight saving time will simplify daily life for Texans.' said Representative Curry. He added that, 'DST was originally designed to save energy, but it is no longer necessary in today's world, and this is a priority of the RPT.' Key Provisions of HB 1736: The bill amends Section 312.016 of the Government Code to exempt Texas from the provisions of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 that first established DST. Under the new Subsection (d), the entire state, including regions using Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time, will no longer observe DST and will remain on standard time year-round. The changes will take effect on November 3, 2025, coinciding with the end of DST for this year. 'Staying on standard time year-round reduces health risks linked to time changes, such as disrupted sleep and increased traffic accidents,' Curry continued. 'This promotes a healthier and safer Texas.' HB 1736 will now move through the legislative process, where it will be considered before the Texas House of Representatives. If passed, Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
