In their letter they also request that crew training responsibilities be moved from the Mississippi Air National Guard to the Texas Air National Guard on the grounds that the Texas border is a more appropriate training area for overseas counter-insurgency air surveillance.

Allen Vaught, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Border Security, Health and School Centered Emergencies offered this comment:

“With American combat operations in Iraq coming to a close, it’s appropriate that we should refocus those resources on securing our own nation’s borders.

“Our first priority as a state government ought to be protecting Texas’ citizens rather than criticizing Washington for political gain.  We are pleased to make a real, practical request of our Federal government that will protect our border and better train our troops for future deployments.”

A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

It is signed by Representative Valinda Bolton, Representative Ellen Cohen, Represenative Kirk England, Representative Stephen Frost, Chairman Veronica Gonzales, Chairman Mark Homer, Representative Donna Howard, Representative Eric Johnson, Representative Carol Kent, Representative Diana Maldonado, Chairman Jim McReynolds, Representative Jose Menendez, Representative Robert Miklos, Representative Paula Pierson, Chairman Allan Ritter, Representative Kristi Thibaut, Representative Chris Turner, and Representative Allen Vaught.

The official website for Texas is www.Texas.gov and here you can find links for everything from renewing your driver’s license to searching for lottery results.

In this week’s article, I will look at some of the online resources that you may find most useful in your daily lives.

Driving and automobile related sources

Through Texas’ official website, you can renew your driver’s license or ID card if you have access to a valid credit card, your ID number, and your Social security number. There are some conditions that still must be met, including being under age 79, having a certain type of license, and not having any outstanding traffic tickets. If you are interested in renewing your license, you can find out more information here.

You can also renew your vehicle registration online, choose a new, specialty license plate design, or change your address with the Department of Public Safety, DPS, through this link.

Important records

The Department of State Health Services “Vital Records Application” will allow you to apply online for access to a birth or death certificate or verification letter, along with a marriage or divorce verification letter, but it will still take 10-15 business days to process.

If you need a copy of your driver record, you may also do request this online through the DPS website, but it will still take 14 days for the record to be mailed.

Notifications

Additionally, Texas’ website will allow you to signup for notifications and alerts from the Texas governor and for public safety alerts such as with the Amber Alert program. There are several different agencies that publicize online newsletters such as the Texas Veterans Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that Texans can sign up to receive with a valid e-mail address.

Occupational licenses

If you are in an occupation that requires a license from the state of Texas, there is a good chance yours is one of the eligible occupations that can renew the license online. There are hundreds of occupations listed where you may be eligible to apply for a license, renew a license, or receive a certification. The most common eligible ones include dietitians, nurses, insurance agents, psychologists, real estate brokers, pharmacists, and physicians. You can search to see if your occupation is eligible here.

Luckily there is a “cool front” coming with highs in the 90s expected this week, but that is not much of a relief. Because long, hot summer days often bring expensive utility bills, Texas offers two programs to financially help residents with their utility bills and to help with creating energy efficient households.

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, CEAP, assists low-income families and individuals who are struggling to meet their energy needs through both financial assistance and through an energy education program designed to help them make their households more energy efficient.

There are four different components to the CEAP program, including assistance for elderly and disabled residents with high energy costs, assistance with “short-term” weather-related emergencies, assistance with repairs or replacements of heating and cooling appliances, and a co-pay option that assists households financially, and through energy goal setting.

While the CEAP program is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is administered by the Texas Housing and Community Affairs agency, and local service providers in turn assist individuals within their community.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program, WAP, is the other program offered by the state of Texas to assist with and control high energy costs. As with CEAP, WAP is funded federally through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Energy.

WAP also assists low-income households with home energy solutions through repairs and conservation efforts. While CEAP is mostly helpful during the summer months, WAP can also help with winter utility bills by ensuring a household is well insulated.

With the program, specialists will first visit a household and perform an energy audit to check for leaks or needed repairs and then will fix whatever measures are needed. These measures may include patching holes, replacing cooling and heating systems, adding insulation and weather stripping, and caulking.

The end goal is to ensure that each applicable household is energy efficient so that energy costs are reduced for low-income residents for many years to come.

For our area, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for directing both of these programs and may be reached at (214) 819-1848. For more information on assistance programs provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, you may visit its Web site.

However, many public and private schools are starting classes about the middle of August, which means it is time, once again, for Texas’ sales tax-free weekend.

The 11th annual event begins Friday, Aug. 20 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 22.

The intent of this weekend is to provide Texas’ families with a savings on their back-to-school shopping before the new school year begins since certain items, including clothing, shoes, and backpacks less than under $100 are exempt from state and local sales tax.

This exemption saves shoppers about $8 per $100 they spend. Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs has predicted that Texans will save about $59.3 million in taxes during this weekend event.

Some of the items that are tax-free include:

• baby clothes,
• backpacks,
• belts with buckles,
• boots,
• coats,
• diapers,
• dresses,
• hats,
• hosiery,
• jeans,
• jerseys,
• pajamas,
• pants,
• raincoats,
• robes,
• shirts,
• shoes,
• socks,
• suits,
• sweaters,
• swimsuits,
• sweatshirts,
• ties,
• underclothes, and
• uniforms.

Some of the items that are not tax-free include:

• accessories,
• baseball cleats and pants,
• cloth and fabric,
• dry cleaning,
• football pants,
• handbags and purses,
• jewelry,
• sports helmets,
• sports-related pads, and
• work boots.

Additionally, legislation passed in the 81st Legislative session adds school supplies to the list of items excluded from these taxes.

Since school supplies are essential to a child’s academic success, savings on these items will hopefully help ensure children are adequately prepared for their first day of school.

Some of the tax-free school supplies include:

• binders,
• calculators,
• crayons and markers,
• erasers,
• folders,
• glue,
• highlighters,
• legal pads,
• lunch boxes,
• notebooks,
• paper,
• pencils,
• pens,
• rulers, and
• scissors.

Layaway plans may be used to help families take advantage of these savings. For a full list of supplies, clothing, and footwear exempted from the tax, view the state comptroller’s Web site.

However, many public and private schools are starting classes about the middle of August, which means it is time, once again, for Texas’ sales tax-free weekend.

The 11th annual event begins Friday, Aug. 20 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 22.

The intent of this weekend is to provide Texas’ families with a savings on their back-to-school shopping before the new school year begins since certain items, including clothing, shoes, and backpacks less than under $100 are exempt from state and local sales tax.

This exemption saves shoppers about $8 per $100 they spend. Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs has predicted that Texans will save about $59.3 million in taxes during this weekend event.

Some of the items that are tax-free include:

* baby clothes,
* backpacks,
* belts with buckles,
* boots,
* coats,
* diapers,
* dresses,
* hats,
* hosiery,
* jeans,
* jerseys,
* pajamas,
* pants,
* raincoats,
* robes,
* shirts,
* shoes,
* socks,
* suits,
* sweaters,
* swimsuits,
* sweatshirts,
* ties,
* underclothes, and
* uniforms.

Some of the items that are not tax-free include:

* accessories,
* baseball cleats and pants,
* cloth and fabric,
* dry cleaning,
* football pants,
* handbags and purses,
* jewelry,
* sports helmets,
* sports-related pads, and
* work boots.

Additionally, legislation passed in the 81st Legislative session adds school supplies to the list of items excluded from these taxes.

Since school supplies are essential to a child’s academic success, savings on these items will hopefully help ensure children are adequately prepared for their first day of school.

Some of the tax-free school supplies include:

* binders,
* calculators,
* crayons and markers,
* erasers,
* folders,
* glue,
* highlighters,
* legal pads,
* lunch boxes,
* notebooks,
* paper,
* pencils,
* pens,
* rulers, and
* scissors.

Layaway plans may be used to help families take advantage of these savings. For a full list of supplies, clothing, and footwear exempted from the tax, view the state comptroller’s Web site.

As this summer continues, there is no better moment to spend that quality time with not only the children who may be in our household, but with others. Let us not forget those children who may not have supporting friends or families in their lives. While the below organizations are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available in the Dallas and surrounding areas, I encourage you to take the time to make a difference in a child’s life.

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas
The first local Boys and Girls Club started in 1972, and since then this organization has strived to reach children ages 6 to seventeen using specific programs focused in character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.

The club tries to meet the social, cultural, and emotional needs of our children today. Each program is staffed with fully trained professionals who guide each child who walks through their doors. With 14 locals clubs in the greater Dallas area, more than 5,000 children are reached each year.

The Rise School of Dallas
Originally established at the University of Alabama, the Rise School of Dallas has continued to provide one of the best early childhood educational programs for children with and without developmental disabilities. Located at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Rise School is affiliated with the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University as well as Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Since 1998, the Rise School of Dallas has continuously touched the lives of children who otherwise might not have received this type of specialized education.

The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
Viewed as a “home away from home,” the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, RMHD, is more than a place or organization, but a home where families with seriously ill or injured children can stay while their loved one is being treated. With an atmosphere full of love and care, the RMHD has served more than 25,000 families since it began in 1981.

Because of the exceptional medical services available in Dallas, the RMHD accommodates many families from all over the United States. From providing transportation to medical appointments to daily meals, the RMHD is a place for families to stay where the stress and hurt of their situation will be not only understood but, hopefully, lessened.

Communities In Schools Dallas Region
Founded in 1985, Communities In Schools Dallas Region, CISDR, focuses on high school students who are viewed as at-risk for potentially dropping out. Created in response to the high number of actual high school dropouts in the Dallas area, CISDR is supported by fully trained staff who can identify the educational needs that each at-risk student may lack. Counselors and teachers are charged with recommending students for the CISDR program. With nearly 50,000 at-risk children helped by CISDR, the program’s focus is on prevention.

If you have questions regarding any of the above organizations or volunteering, I invite you to contact my district office at (214) 370-8305 or my Capitol office at (512) 463-0244. Please free to e-mail me as well, and be sure to include your name and full address. I look forward to hearing from you.

Although, the GLO may not be familiar to every Texan, it is, indeed, the oldest Texas state agency.

Similarly, another relatively unknown state agency is the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is partnered with the Texas A&M system, and is a community based, educational agency. With more than 1,900 employees across the state, AgriLife Extension serves communities ranging from Dallas to the Rio Grande Valley.

Agriculture and natural resources

AgriLife Extension provides an abundance of resources on Texas’ wildlife, native plants, trees and wildflowers, ecosystems, and insects. Additionally, it even supplies information on gardening and landscaping. Its Web site houses a variety of specialized information for adults and children such as the “Texas Winegrape Network,” the “Digital Dragonfly Online Museum,” and the “Wildflowers in Bloom” collection.

Family life

Family and consumer sciences are a key part of AgriLife’s service because it offers information for Texans on parenting, money management, healthy eating and living, housing, and safe environments. Its current educational programs represent a wide range of financial and health issues affecting Texas families such as identity theft, obesity and family nutrition, child passenger safety, food safety, and more.

AgriLife Extension has free publications on the Web site, and it also provides free online courses and certifications for several topics, including child care, food safety, and nutrition.

The Dallas County office offers in-person classes conducted at various locations across the county.

It has upcoming classes on “Earth-Kind Roses,” “Turfgrass,” and “Trees: Selection, Care, and Utilization.” For more information on upcoming classes please visit the Web site.

Youth programs

AgriLife Extension is responsible for the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program, which aims to help our youth learn life skills, leadership, and citizenship. The 4-H program offers projects and opportunities that go beyond learning about agriculture and animals such as photography, public speaking, global education and awareness, and workplace preparation.

AgriLife arranges children’s summer camps through the end of July through the 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood, Texas, on Lake Brownwood. Membership in 4-H is not a requirement to participate in these camps. If you are interested, you can find more information here.

Community development

The fourth main objective for AgriLife Extension is to ensure Texans have the ability to build sustainable communities. AgriLife offers programs for business retention and expansion, community development, disaster preparedness, entrepreneurship, nature tourism, and more.

As an integral part of community development here in Dallas, the Dallas County Master Gardeners, which is a volunteer service organization affiliated with AgriLife Extension, mentors students with special needs each week through teaching them how to garden. Additionally, the Dallas County Master Gardeners work with schools and neighborhoods across the county, helping them build and maintain community gardens.

For more information about the Dallas County Master Gardeners please visit the organization’s Web site.

For two terms, I’ve been privileged to serve as your State Representative for District 107. During this time, I have sought to focus on real issues for real people. I believe, like many Texans that Washington-style politics has no place in Austin. Because of that belief, I’ve received legislative awards from diverse groups including state prosecutors, the Texas PTA, pediatricians, educators, Childrens’ Hospital of Dallas, police chiefs and environmental groups.

Today, I am asking for a donation of just $10 from 250 people who support my belief that we need legislators representing real people and real issues instead of hard-line partisan ideology.

Please contribute $10 today!

With Texas’ unemployment at record levels and a looming $18 billion dollar budget shortfall, we need common sense representation NOT hard line right wing ideology. Our district deserves to have someone fighting for the real issues before us – more high paying jobs, safer neighborhoods, better schools, more affordable higher education, property tax reform, and cleaner air and water.

Help me bring common sense representation to Austin

You can easily make a contribution online. Visit my website and donate today. In two days, on Wednesday, June 30, we reach the end of this fundraising cycle, and I am counting on folks like you to help me turn in a strong report

Working together, we can make a difference.

Respectfully,

Allen Vaught

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up and join me in the Lakewood and Lake Highlands 4th of July parades on Saturday July 3rd. Email Sarah@allenvaught.com for more details. Every participant will receive a free t-shirt!