House passes school voucher bill
The Texas House on Thursday passed Gov. Greg Abbott’s school voucher bill after a years-long campaign by the governor and his allies, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, announced Friday he recommended that chamber accept the House version, which prioritizes children with special education needs for vouchers. The Senate version, which is less restrictive, passed in early February. In addition to passing the voucher legislation, the House passed a $7.7 billion school finance package, which will increase the base-level funding per student by almost $400 — to $6,555 — and pays for teacher raises and increases in special education funding. The Senate’s version is considerably different, so the two school finance bills will have to be reconciled. House cuts Lottery Commission budget to zero The budget for the Texas Lottery Commission was reduced to zero in the 2026-2027 budget passed by the House, the Statesman reported. The commission has been under fire for not aggressively curtailing third-party “courier companies” that broker ticket sales for players online. In one instance, a single player bought enough tickets to guarantee a winning ticket for a $95 million jackpot, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Senate has already passed a bill outlawing courier companies. It is uncertain whether the Senate will go along with the House measure to end all lottery commission funding. The lottery brings about $2 billion a year to the state treasury. Senate bill would ban fluoride in water systems A bill filed by state Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, would ban adding fluoride to public drinking water, a cause being championed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Dallas Morning News reported that Hall talked about the potential side effects of consuming an “excessive amount” of fluoride. Health officials assert fluoride has protected against tooth decay and resulted in fewer cavities over the decades it has been added to public water systems. Hall’s bill would ban adding “any form of fluoride to any public water supply for the purpose of fluoridation, regardless of the intended concentration.” Kennedy has said he plans to ask the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation of public water systems. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has also called for a ban on water fluoridation. In Texas, nearly three-fourths of the state’s population drinks water with fluoride in it, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. House agrees to give Paxton back pay Largely along party lines, the House agreed to urge budget writers to give Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton nearly $64,000 in back pay to cover the period when he was suspended while impeached. The Chronicle reported the measure passed by a margin of 88-56. Paxton was impeached by the House in 2023, but the Senate acquitted him. He went without pay for about three months. “If we believe that not only politicians but regular citizens are entitled to the presumption of innocence, we should truly believe that he should have been entitled to his salary during the course of this suspension,” said state Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville, the bill’s sponsor. “Now that he’s been acquitted, if you broke it, you bought it.” The House and Senate versions of the budget still have to be reconciled. Middleton jumps into Texas AG’s race Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, has jumped into the race to replace Paxton, who is pursuing a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. The Chronicle reported that Middleton will self-fund his campaign with $10 million. “I am running for Texas Attorney General to continue the fight for our shared conservative values that keep the Texas Miracle alive,” Middleton said in a statement. “As Attorney General, I will join President Trump in his efforts to return America and Texas to common sense and to fight to secure the border, ensure law and order, and be tough on crime.” Middleton was elected to the Senate in 2021 after previously serving in the House. Former U.S. Attorney John Bash declared earlier he also was seeking the position. Nate Paul fined $1 million, confined to home Real estate developer Nate Paul was fined $1 million and sentenced to four months of home confinement after pleading guilty to making false financial statements, The News reported. Paul’s ties to Paxton in part led to the impeachment charges against the attorney general. The attorney general was accused in a whistleblower suit of using the agency to interfere in Paul’s civil and criminal disputes. While he will not face any prison time, Paul will be a convicted felon. “That may not mean anything to some people — after all, we have a president who’s a convicted felon at the moment,” said Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra, an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan. “But I’m sure it’s important to Mr. Paul.” It’s looking like a warm spring The departure of the La Niña climate pattern makes it likely much of the state is in for a warm, dry spring, the Statesman reported. As of mid-April, more than 80% of Texas was already abnormally dry or in drought, with little relief in sight. Drought conditions are especially severe in Far West Texas into the Big Bend area and throughout Central Texas. The eastern part of the state is the only region not facing drought conditions as of yet.
Reflections on Easter, Family, and the Hope of Resurrection
The General and I had planned to celebrate Easter in Cat Spring with our daughter-in-law’s family. On Friday, we attended a fish fry at the newly renovated home of one of her uncles. His house, originally built in 1867, is located on the family farm and previously belonged to his parents. The farmhouse has undergone a complete renovation and now features additional space, transforming it into a modern, upscale farmhouse. On Friday night, the General woke up feeling unwell. We decided it would be best to leave early on Saturday morning to avoid exposing anyone to potential illness, should she be contagious. I went to church by myself on Easter Sunday at our usual place. Instead of sitting in our regular pew, I chose the row of chairs against the back wall that had been added for additional seating, as the church was full. Before heading to church on Easter morning, I reflected on a story shared in an Easter sermon by Dr. R. G. Lee. If you haven’t heard the story, you’ll likely find it unforgettable. I first heard the illustration when it was shared by Dr. Jim Denison, a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas. Dr. R. G. Lee (1886 – 1978) served as pastor at several churches, including First Baptist Church in Chester, SC; First Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA; Citadel Baptist Church in Charleston, SC; and Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Here is the Easter story shared by Dr. Lee: “One day, as a young child, I asked my mother, ‘What was the happiest day of your life?’ I thought she might mention the day one of her children was born, the day my father asked her to marry him, or perhaps her wedding day. After a long pause, she looked across the room as if gazing into the distance and then spoke. ‘It was during the war between the North and the South. The men were all away, and my mother, your grandmother, had to carry out the work of a man in the fields. She eked out a living for us from the farm. One day, a letter arrived stating that my father, your grandfather Bennett, had been killed. That letter contained many kind words about his bravery and sacrifice. Mother didn’t cry much that day, but at night, we could hear her sobbing in the dark of our small house. ‘About four months later, during the summer, we were all sitting on the porch shelling beans. A man came down the road, and Mother watched him for a while before saying, ‘Elizabeth, honey, don’t think me strange, but that man walking yonder moves like your father.’ As the man approached, we children thought, ‘It couldn’t be him.’ When he reached the break in the fence where the path ran, he turned in. Mother sprang from her chair, scattering beans everywhere. She began to run and yelled over her shoulder, ‘Children, it’s your father!’ She ran all the way across the field until they met. She kissed him, cried, and held him for the longest time. And that was the happiest hour I ever knew.’” R. G. Lee concluded his message by saying: “And that is but a small joy compared with the resurrection morning when we shall see the face of Jesus, when we shall reunite with loved ones long gone.” All My Best!
Phillips' column has been relocated
Click Here to read
50 Years Ago - April 25, 1975
Total of 247 Golfers Play in Hearne Tournament
A total of 247 golfers competed on the Hearne Golf Association links for 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 700 lunches were served during a weekend that was ideal for golfing, despite a slight wind on Sunday. Visitors came from 37 towns across Texas, including 14 from Houston, 14 from Corsicana, and 9 from Dallas. When the blind bogey event concluded on Sunday afternoon, Rusty Smith of Killeen was named the tournament medalist. In the championship flight, the standings were as follows: Allen Jones of Rockdale finished first, Bo Stewart of Marlin second, Keith Nickleson of Franklin third, and Steve Doering of Georgetown fourth. In the first flight, winners included J.C. Gray of Caldwell in first place, Billy Rasco from Dallas in second, Joe Martin from Pearland in third, and Don Jumper of Bryan in fourth. For the fourth flight, Joe Buser of Bryan took first place, Jake Abrams of Hearne was second, Harvey Smith of Conroe third, and Charles C. Miller of Hearne finished fourth. Controlling Interest in Bank Purchased by Kelly It was announced on Monday that C. J. Kelly, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the First National Bank of Midland, has purchased a controlling interest in the Planters and Merchants State Bank of Hearne. This purchase, effective April 18, was made from the First National Bank of Midland, which had held stock in trust for the estate of the late H.C. (Jack) Kelly of Hearne until his death. C. J. Kelly, who is Jack Kelly’s brother, was recently promoted to his current position after previously serving as president and vice chairman of the board at the Midland bank. Cancer Crusade Now in Progress The annual fundraising crusade for the American Cancer Society is currently underway, running from April 20 to April 30. Mrs. Milton Aalen is the Hearne chairperson for the 1975 fund drive, with her team going door-to-door and soliciting donations in the downtown area. Currently, nine patients in the community are receiving various services provided by the society, which include dressings, health aid equipment, and transportation costs to and from medical centers for treatment. NHS Sponsors Spaghetti Meal The National Honor Society (NHS) is hosting a spaghetti dinner on May 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the high school cafetorium. The dinner will feature spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, dessert, and a beverage choice of tea or coffee. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door from Mrs. Julia Michael (sponsor) or any of the following students: Rosanne Perrone, Sharon Kennamer, Bernadette Corpora, Lisa Cotropia, Cathy Payne, Earl Pullem, Teresa Loria, Homerzelle Gentry, Theresa Bonorden, Teresa Varvel, Calvin Miller, Tommy Young, Lisa Mathis, Karen Franks, Linda Gomez, Peggy Miller, Dianna Reistino, or Cheryl Slay. The NHS encourages everyone to attend the spaghetti dinner and support this fundraising project. Eighth Graders Finish Fifth at Cameron Track Meet The Hearne eighth-grade Eaglets finished fifth at the district relays held in Cameron on Saturday, April 12, earning a total of 16 points. Jesus Garcia achieved a distance of 17’0” to take third in the broad jump, while George Smith came in fourth with a distance of 17’8”. In the mile relay, the team of Garcia, Joe Ferrara, Bria Mullinnix, and Vidaurri Higgins finished third with a time of 4:04.7. Ferrara took fifth in the 100-yard low hurdles with a time of 13.7 seconds, and Bill Jones finished sixth in the 100-yard dash in 12.0 seconds. In the 440 relay, the Hearne team placed fifth with a time of 49.4 seconds, consisting of Smith, Garcia, Higgins, and Bennett Johnson. Kenny Johnson expressed pride in the eighth graders’ performance, stating it was the best they had done this season at a track meet.
Hearne American Legion Launches Meat Raffle to Benefit Community Programs
The Hearne American Legion Post #454 has launched a meat raffle fundraiser to support local scholarships and charitable initiatives in the community. Two winners will be selected, each receiving a $300 gift certificate redeemable at Readfield Meats. The raffle drawing will take place on July 5, offering participants a chance to win high-quality meats while contributing to a worthy cause. Tickets are being sold at $10 each, with a discounted bundle option of six tickets for $50. Community members interested in participating can purchase tickets from any member of the Hearne Legion. Proceeds from the raffle will directly fund scholarships for local students and support a range of charitable efforts spearheaded by the post. The American Legion Post #454 continues to be an active force in community development, consistently organizing events and fundraisers to meet the needs of Hearne and the surrounding areas. The event not only presents a chance for locals to win generous prizes but also serves as a reminder of the vital role veteran organizations play in supporting education and service projects. Those seeking more information or wishing to purchase tickets can call 979-701-6900. With its ongoing commitment to civic engagement, the Hearne American Legion encourages residents to take part in the raffle and help invest in the future of the community.
