Crosby County News (Ralls, Tex.), Vol. 126, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, February 15, 2013 Page: 3 of 20
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Friday, February 15, 2013
Crosby County News
Page 3
School Finance - - -
(Continued from page 1)
Cancer agency questioned
Texas in November 2007 re-
sponded to a call by the gover-
nor to create an entity that would
focus on finding cures and pre-
ventive measures for cancer. It
was then that voters approved a
constitutional amendment to es-
tablish a state agency, the Can-
cer Prevention and Research In-
stitute of Texas, and allowed the
issuance of $3 billion in general
obligation bonds over 10 years
to fund it.
Last year, questions arose
over the cancer agency’s manage-
ment and where the money was
going. Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov.
David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe
Straus on Dec. 19 sent a letter to
the agency, calling for it to ad-
dress “concerns that have been
raised about its processes and
operations before any future
grants are awarded.”
Cancer agency officials tes-
tified in a daylong hearing before
the House Appropriations Com-
mittee on Feb. 6, answering ques-
tions about grant management,
property leases, executive sala-
ries, and more.
Perry takes California trip
Gov. Perry traveled to San
Francisco, Si licon Valley, Los An-
geles and Orange County on a
three-day mission to meet with
high tech, biotechnology, finan-
cial, insurance and film industry
leaders.
In a pre-trip “California regu-
lates ... Texas innovates” market-
ing blitz, Perry invited California
businesses to relocate in the
Lone Star State.
Perry’s office saidTexasOne,
an economic development corpo-
ration based in Austin, is paying
for the trip and no tax dollars
would be used for the governor’s
travel or accommodations.
Accreditation must wait
Education Commissioner
Michael L. Williams announced
Feb. 7 the Texas Education
Agency will not assign its nor-
mal annual accreditation statuses
to the more than 1,200 indepen-
dent school districts and charter
schools for the 2012-2013 school
year.
“Because student perfor-
mance is a key indicator in the
state accreditation system, and
because that data is not available
due to the transition (to the new
State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness (STAAR)
accountability system), the
Agency will suspend the assign-
ment of accreditation statuses
until the 2013-2014 school year,”
Williams said.
Senate seat vote is set
Gov. Perry by proclamation
on Feb. 8 set Saturday, March 2
— Texas Independence Day —
as the special runoff election date
for the Texas Senate Dist. 6 seat
held by the Hon. Mario Gallegos
Jr., who died Oct. 16.
Gallegos, though deceased,
still won 71 percent of the vote
to Republican challenger R.W.
Bray’s 29 percent in the Nov. 6
general election.
Included among eight candi-
dates in the race to serve out the
term ending in 2016 are Bray and
standing state Rep. Carol
Alvarado, D-Houston.
Excel Energy makes Donation to Crosby County Libraries
The Excel Energy representative, Sue Castles attended the Crosby County Library board meeting
to present a $1000.00 donation to help fund a magician and storytellers for the 2013 Summer
Reading Programs that are held at the public libraries. Pictured above in the back from (Lto R)
are Board Members: Karen Swink, Ronda Rendon, Norma Jean Campbell, Pat Parrish, Excel Rep.
Sue Castles, Suzanne Wyrick, Sherri Stevens, and Suzy Byrd. In front from (Lto R) are; Janelle
Snodgrass, Ralls Librarian, Eva Lozano, and Lorenzo Librarian, Cheryl Birdwell. Not pictured was:
Crosby County Librarian, Janelle Berry; Board members, Donna Pair and Amanda Barrera.
smm
An Equal.
Rap. Springer Appointed To Policy Comnlttoo;
Co-tlgis Concealed Garry On Campus Bill
Notice of Availability of Electronic Communications
Under a new law, chief appraisers of county appraisal districts and appraisal review
boards may communicate electronically through email or other methods with property
owners or their designated representatives. Written agreements are required for notices
and other documents to be delivered electronically in place of mailing.
How does it work? Certain guidelines must be followed for this local option
communication:
Written agreements with the county appraisal district must be entered into first,
ensuring what electronic means of delivery is acceptable. If you are interested in
receiving communications in electronic format, you should contact your local
appraisal district.
The chief appraiser may determine the medium format content and method to be
used for electronic communications other than notices required by Section 25.19
of the Tax Code which are prescribed by rule.
A decision by the chief appraiser not to enter into agreements may not be the
subject of an appraisal review board protest, a lawsuit or a complaint to the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation.
For more information, contact us at:
Crosby Central Appraisal District
P.O. Box 505
109 West Aspen Street
Crosbyton, Texas 79322
806-675-2356
AUSTIN, TX. — On
Wednesday, Rep. Drew Springer
was chosen as just one of two
West Texas Legislators to join the
House Republican Caucus
Policy Committee.
“It is an honor to represent
West Texas on the House Repub-
lican Caucus Policy Committee,”
said Springer. “With this new po-
sition, I hope to use my experi-
ences and ideals to help influ-
ence our agenda towards cutting
back the unnecessary regulations
and unfunded mandates that
steal our liberty and puts a larger
burden on rural communities.”
This is the third in a series of
appointments that started with
Rep. Springer’s appointment to
Vice-Chair of the House Energy
Caucus and his appointment to
both the House Agriculture &
Livestock Committee and Land &
Resource Management Commit-
tee.
Rep. Springer signed onto
HB 972 by Rep. Fletcher (R - Cy-
press) which would allow stu-
dents with Concealed Handgun
Licenses to carry on college cam-
puses statewide.
“This is apiece of legislation
that is common sense and I have
supported for a long time,” said
Springer. “It is unconscionable
that we do not allow certified stu-
dents to protect themselves
Remember to "Render!"
Taxable property renditions
are due April 15.
A variety of homestead
exemptions could lower
your property taxes!
Does this apply to you?
If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce Income,
such as the equipment or inventory owned by a business, it does.
What is a rendition?
A rendition is a report to your county appraisal district that lists all of the tax-
able property that you owned or controlled on Jan. t of this year. This often
applies to furniture, fixtures, equipment or Inventory owned by a business.
What are the advantages of filing?
• You give your opinion of your property's value.
• You record your correct mailing address so your tax bills will go to the
right address.
• If your property's value depreciated, you can file a report of decreased
value. '
What is the deadline?
• The last day for filing 2013 renditions Is April 15.
• An automatic extension !? available if requested In writing by the April
15 deadline.
• The chief appraiser may grant an additional 15 days after the deadline
for an owner who shows good cause in writing.
REMEMBER!!
Filing is your responsibility. If you render late, don't render or file an
incomplete or false rendition, you may face a 10 to 50 percent penalty.
File renditions with your local appraisal district at:
Crosby Central Appraisal District
P 0 Box 505
109 West Aspen Street
Crosbyton, Texas 79322
806-6752356
Or contact:
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs
Property Tax Assistance Division
P.O. Box 13528
Austin, Texas 78711-3528
or call: 1-800-252-9121 and press "2" to access the menu
and then press °1" to contact the Information Service Team.
Or find us online at: httpy/windowjtate.tx.us/taxlnfo/proptax
A homestead exemption lowers the property taxes on your home by lowering
its value. If your home is valued at $50,000 and you receive a $15,000 homestead
exemption, your home will be taxed as if it were worth $35,000.
Who qualifies for an exemption?
Anyone who owns a home on Jan. 1 and uses It as a primary residence on that
date Is entitled to a $15,000 homestead exemption to lower school taxes. It
doesn't matter If your home is a house, condominium or mobile home. Counties,
cities and special taxing districts may also offer homestead exemptions.
Are other exemptions available?
If you're disabled—or If you're 65 years old or older—you are entitled to an
additional $10,000 school tax exemption on your home. And if you qualify for
the 65 or older or disabled exemption, you're also entitled to a permanent,
locked-in 'ceiling1' on the school property taxes on your home. The county,
city or junior college may adopt a tax celling for 65 and older or disabled
homeowners. The age 65 or older homeowners school tax ceiling trans-
fers to the surviving spouse, if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the
time of death and lives In and owns the home. The age 65 or older home-
owners (or their surviving spouses 55 years of age or older) also may transfer
the percentage of school tax paid, based on their former home's school tax
ceiling to a new home.
If you're a disabled veteran who receives from the Veterans Affairs (VA)—(1) TOO
percent disability compensation due to a service connected disability and (2) a
rating of 100 percent disabled or a determination of individual unemployability,
you are entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of
your resident homestead.
Do I have to apply each year?
No. If you had a homestead exemption on your home in 2012. you won't need to
reapply for 2013 unless your chief appraiser requires Ft. However, if you haven't
received an exemption on your present home—or if you’ve moved to a new
home—you'll need to file for an exemption for 2013. if you are 65 this year,
you may file for the age 65 or older exemption up to one year after the date
you turned 65. And if you became disabled, you need to file for the disabled
person’s exemption.
When and where should I file?
File applications before May 1 at your appraisal district office. If you need
more time, contact us at:
Crosby Central Appraisal District
P 0 Box 505
109 West Aspen Street
Crosbyton, Texas 79322
806-675-2356
m
Or contact:
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs
Property Tax Assistance Division
P.O.Box 13528
Austin, Texas 78711-3528
or call: 1 -800-252-9121 and press "2° to access
the menu and then press T to contact the
Information Service Team.
or on the Web at: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax
while at school. Why should I as
a legislator be allowed to carry
and protect myself at the Capitol
but a 40 year-old single mother
taking night classes cannot exer-
cise her rights walking to her car
after class?”
Rep. Springer met with sev-
eral groups of constituents from
House District 68 this week to dis-
cuss their unique priorities for the
session.
On Tuesday, he met with
both North Central Texas College
and Vernon College as part of
community college day at the
Capitol. They discussed ways to
improve technical training and
vocational education to get more
citizens work-force ready in fields
with high demand.
On Wednesday, Springer had
breakfast with several educators
from Floydada ISD to discuss
ways the state can give more au-
tonomy to classroom teachers.
Testing was a large concern that
many felt should be scaled back
drastically and given back to lo-
cal communities and school dis-
tricts.
Wednesday was also 4-H
day at the capitol. Throughout
the day, Springer met with sev-
eral different 4-H groups from
around HD68 and heard their per-
sonal stories, reinforcing his
understanding that 4H helps
build future leaders and strength-
ens rural Texas.
Rep. Springer is always open
to questions and suggestions for
the session. Please feel free to
contact his Capitol office by
phone (512) 463- 0526 or by email
Drew.Springer@house.state.tx.us
at any time for more information.
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CR0SB7 COUNTY NETS
Phone 806-253-0211
817 Main Street - Ralls, Texas 79357
E-Mail Address - crosbycountynews@windstream.net
An independent periodical published weekly on Thursday of
each week except one week at Christmas and one week in the
summer at Valentine Publishing, 817 Main Street, Ralls, Texas
79357. Entered as periodical mail under USPS permit #000244.
ISSN number 1537-6214. Periodical Class Postage paid at the
Post Office in Lorenzo, Texas 79343, under the act of March 3,
1987.
Subscription Rates:
One Year in Crosby County - $36.00
One Year Out of County - $41.00
One Year Out of State - $46.00
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are welcome and will be published at the
discretion of the Reporter-Examiner. Letters should be person-
ally written and signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed.
:Letters endorsing candidates or advertising products are con-
sidered paid advertising.
Any erroneous reflection upon the character standing or repu-
tation of any person, firm, or corporation which may appear in
the volumes of this newspaper will gladly be corrected upon
notice to the newspaper. This newspaper reserves the right to
accept, reflect or edit any article or manuscript.
POSTMASTER,
send address changes to:
CROSBY COUNTY NEWS
P.O. Box 1115
Ralls, Texas 79357
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Crosby County News (Ralls, Tex.), Vol. 126, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, February 15, 2013, newspaper, February 15, 2013; Ralls, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth707963/m1/3/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Crosby County Public Library.