Andy Nghiem News
Texas Attorney General says counties do not have the ability to ban solar farms
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 30, 2023
On Aug. 16, the Texas Attorney general's office issued a letter saying that counties do not have the ability to ban solar farms. The letter came in response to a request on the subject from the Franklin County, TX county attorney.
UT forms West campus revitalization program: 'Reviving and restoring the West Campus neighborhood is essential'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 18, 2023
On Aug. 7, the University of Texas at Austin (UT) announced the formation of the West Campus Ambassadors pilot program, which seeks to revitalize one of the flagship university’s neighborhoods. The program will provide cleaning services to the West Campus neighborhood.
Abbott touts small businesses as part of Texas' economic growth: 'Texas continues to rank as the Best State for Business and is the nation’s top state for small business job growth'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 18, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott attributed Texas’ consistently strong jobs economy to small businesses during the Governor’s Small Business Summit in McAllen on Aug. 10. As keynote speaker, Abbott, a Republican, said small businesses are a reason the Lone Star State is a national economic leader.
Austin moves to second stage of water contingency plan
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 18, 2023
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is asking citizens to conserve water as the city moved toward the second stage of its drought contingency plan on Aug. 15. The city warned that the combined storage level of water in Lakes Travis and Buchanan could fall below this week.
Gov. Abbott: 'Today, I am signing a law that will ensure more than $18 billion in property tax cuts—the largest property tax cut in Texas history'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 17, 2023
During an event in the Houston suburb of New Caney on Aug. 9, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ceremoniously signed the $18 billion tax cut package for Texas property owners, nearly three weeks after he officially signed it into law. The package promises to deliver the largest property tax cut in Texas history.
Nominations open for annual Governor's Volunteer Awards
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 17, 2023
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott, in conjunction with the OneStar Foundation, recently announced that they are currently accepting nominations for the 40th Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards. The awards are the state’s way of recognizing individuals who engage in exemplary service and volunteering in their communities.
Tattoo artist Dillon Forte chose Wimberly as site for his tattoo ranch to 'accomplish tattooing in the most natural location possible'
By Andy Nghiem | Jun 29, 2023
Texas tattoo artist Dillon Forte has spent the past year constructing the inaugural "Tattoo Ranch" in Wimberley, Texas, a property and studio just outside of Austin that serves as both a creative hub for his team's tattoo work and a tranquil retreat for tattoo-focused events, showcasing his custom sculpture art and more.
Texas Attorney General Paxton and other state AGs file lawsuit against new 'Parole with Conditions' immigration policy
By Andy Nghiem | May 16, 2023
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and several other state AGs recently filed a lawsuit to stop the "Parole with Conditions" policy that allows aliens to enter the US without consequences.
Senate Bills 6 and 7 still waiting for a hearing in House State Affairs Committee
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 28, 2023
On April 26, the Texas House State Affairs Committee held a hearing to consider a number of bills. Notably absent from the hearing were Senate Bills 6 and 7, which deal with improving energy grid reliability across the state of Texas. The issue of the grid was named a priority by both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for this legislative session.
Patrick, Schwertner support legislation to ensure 'Texans have the reliability, transparency and security on our power grid that they deserve'
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 7, 2023
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) are calling for new legislation to ensure a more reliable energy grid across Texas and attract new sources of reliable thermal electricity generation in the state.
Patrick, Schwertner back legislation to ensure 'Texans have the reliability, transparency and security on our power grid that they deserve'
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 5, 2023
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Charles Schwertner are prioritizing new legislation aimed at ensuring a reliable energy grid across Texas and attracting new sources of reliable thermal electricity generation.
Middleton believes proposed legislation will 'go a long way to provide reliable, dispatchable energy for Texans'
By Andy Nghiem | Mar 30, 2023
State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) supports recently announced legislation focused on boosting energy grid reliability across Texas.
Case: 'I understand the happiness and confidence that comes with a beautiful smile'
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 7, 2023
Pearl Mobile Teeth Whitening made dental whitening more accessible in Austin with the launch of its mobile clinic in 2022.
Abbott as Williamson County residents shoulder high tax rates: We will use '$27 billion surplus' to deliver 'largest property tax cut in Texas history'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 21, 2022
High property tax rates have become an important issue in the State of Texas, particularly with the midterm election coming up on Nov. 8. Both candidates for governor, incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott and challenger Beto O'Rourke have promised action on this issue to lower the financial burden to Texas homeowners. In 12 of Texas' most populated counties, the median effective property tax rate is higher than the statewide figure.
Hess: If universities no longer provide 'unfettered inquiry and thought, taxpayers and policymakers should respond accordingly'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 20, 2022
Frederick M. Hess, director of American Enterprise Institute Education, recently wrote in the Washington Examiner that public universities that use taxpayer funds for DEI initiatives, abandoning a pursuit of free inquiry and going about a political aim, should require oversight. He argues that lawmakers should seek to create new institutions that are committed to free inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies used to hire faculty and staff at UT Tyler to 'help faculty members incorporate global perspectives and diverse voices'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 4, 2022
The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler), under the UT System, has diversity, equity and inclusion programs and plans for hiring faculty and staff. UT Tyler’s Global Awareness and Diversity branch was set up to allow faculty and staff to bring “diverse voices” into the curriculum and teaching standards. New DEI initiatives can be found throughout the UT Tyler campus.
Austin mayoral candidate Virden: 'Few decisions in Austin's history have had a more devastating impact than city council's decision to defund the police'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 4, 2022
A recent poll in Austin conducted by Notley Ventures in conjunction with the Austin Monitor, found that behind affordability, public safety and crime is the biggest issue on Austin voters' minds this November.
Watson, Israel address Austin issues at 'The Next Mayor' panel
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 1, 2022
At a recent Texas Tribune panel called “The Next Mayor,” mayoral candidates Celia Israel and Kirk Watson got the opportunity to talk about the important issues facing Austin.
Abbott: 'Fentanyl is a clandestine killer, and Texans are falling victim to the Mexican cartels that are producing it'
By Andy Nghiem | Sep 23, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that in the midst of the growing national fentanyl overdose crisis, Texans and Americans are falling victim to the Mexican cartels that are producing it.
Joint Task Force Alpha investigation leads to 8 human smuggling indictments: 'Countering human smuggling is a moral imperative'
By Andy Nghiem | Sep 23, 2022
The US Department of Justice recently announced the arrest and indictment of eight alleged human smugglers. The investigation that led to the indictment was a part of “Joint Task Force Alpha,” a collaboration between the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security.