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House approves bill to regulate eminent domain The Associated Press via CBS MoneyWatch Share     The Texas House unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would regulate the already-limited ability of governments to seize property using the power of eminent domain. The proposed law specifies private property could only be seized by governments under "eminent domain" if needed for public use, such as highways or schools. It also dictates what evidence must be considered by special commissioners in making decisions on reimbursements and the rights of property owners to repurchase taken property. More
San Antonio fights bills that may chop tree law San Antonio Express-News Share
San Antonio lawmakers are working to defeat bills by two East Texas legislators that would effectively nullify the city's ability to enforce a tree ordinance just outside city boundaries. Supporters consider Senate Bill 732 and its identical House companion, HB 1388, a property rights issue. Opponents view it as usurping local control. More Energy Star guidelines become more rigorous ACHR News Share
Since its inception in 1995, the goal of the Energy Star for New Homes program has been to help homebuyers identify homes that are significantly more energy efficient than typical homes in the marketplace. As code requirements have become more rigorous over the years, the Environmental Protection Agency has responded by modifying the Energy Star guidelines periodically to ensure that new homes that earn the label continue to represent a meaningful improvement in efficiency, comfort, and quality over non-labeled homes. More
Austin foreclosures up 7.5 percent in first quarter Austin Business Journal Share
A total 3,128 homes in Austin entered the foreclosure process during the first quarter this year, or about 7.5 percent more than the same three months last year, RealtyTrac Inc. reported. The online foreclosure listing service reported one in every 214 homes in Austin heading to foreclosure in the first quarter — including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — ranking the Texas capital No. 85 of 211 cities for rate of foreclosure. More Homeowners look to renewable heat alternatives Environmental Data Interactive Share
A survey by YouGen has found that 85 percent of homeowners would consider a renewable heat alternative if their boilers broke down. Those surveyed were open to a range of technologies with the most popular alternatives being solar hot water and air source heat pumps. More
First House redistricting maps presented Texas Tribune Share
The first House redistricting maps are out, creating one new Latino district, keeping the current number of black opportunity districts and pairing 16 incumbents in districts where they would face one of their colleagues in the 2012 elections. This is just the start. The House Redistricting Committee holds its first hearings on Friday and Sunday. Other maps are expected soon. More Texas lawmakers want Congress to balance federal budget San Antonio Express-News Share
The Texas House passed a resolution Wednesday urging Congress to propose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Forcing Congress to balance its budget might be a good idea, Texas lawmakers said Wednesday, although some thought it hypocritical to force the issue. More
Texas House panel takes up immigration bills The Associated Press via KHOU-TV Share
The Texas Legislature is trying again to push forward legislation targeting illegal immigration. A House committee on Wednesday evening heard a slew of Republican-backed bills, including one that would fine or put behind bars people who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. All of the bills were left pending in the committee. More Amazon's Irving center still open; status of lawmakers' bills unclear Austin American-Statesman Share
Amid its fight with the state over collecting tax on online sales, Amazon.com had said it would close its distribution center in Irving this week, resulting in the loss of 119 jobs. As of Wednesday, however, Amazon was still operating the Irving facility. Also, a hiring firm is interviewing to fill temporary jobs at the center, the Dallas Morning News reported. Amazon confirmed Wednesday only that operations were winding down at the Irving center, and declined to give additional details. In a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission, the company had listed Wednesday as the center's projected closure date. More
Key official says it was Combs' job to protect data Austin American-Statesman First Reading Blog Share
Comptroller Susan Combs has sought to share blame in the wake of a massive data breach, but her efforts to do so aren't going too well. The state's chief information security officer has pointed the blame back at Combs. The comptroller is also getting push-back from the IT professionals across state government over a demand made Friday night that all agencies sign a promise to encrypt their data from now on before transferring it to the comptroller. More |
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