Opinion

h IghlIghts Texas House Democrats unveiled a $20.9 billion plan for property tax relief that drops tax rates, increases the homestead exemption, gives annual rebates to renters, and includes pay raises for teachers, the Austin American- Statesman reported. The newest proposal comes as the Legislature continues wrangling over the issue in the second special session this year.

The late Will Rogers claimed that all he knew, he read in the newspapers. My aged Uncle Mort--whose routine includes puttering down the lane to the general store most daysstill is an avid reader.

I am treading in dangerous waters. You see, my two sisters surprised me this morning with a visit. I had no warning of this visit, and no departure day was mentioned. I was thrilled (shocked) when the first one arrived.

The Texas Senate on the first day of the Legislature’s second special session unanimously passed a tax bill last Wednesday that increases the homestead exemption and includes a pay hike for teachers, the Austin American- Statesman reported. The first special session ended with the Senate and House unable to agree on how to provide property tax relief.

EDITOR’S NOTE: D. Alex Mills enlisted in the U.S. Army Security Agency in 1966 and was discharged in 1970. He lives in Wichita Falls, but he has family in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. Through his family’s non-profit O’Leary Foundation, Mr. Mills was asked to participate in an honor flight. This is his report.

Dr. Russell H. Dilday, Jr.--for 16 years president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth--died recently in Dallas, leaving a legacy that deserves more superlatives than space allows.

Before football coaches have gone any distance in the minefield-laden careers they’ve chosen, they learn that the welcome mat--so warmly extended before their first game--often is jerked away before there’s time to leave a footprint.

Texas’ power grid reported record electricity use early last week. Both the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are urging residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce electricity use as temperatures soar above100 degrees over much of the state. So far the grid, which administers 90% of the state’s power load, has been able to keep up with demand.

It seems that I’m a little behind on doing my chores around here. There are dishes in the sink, clothes in the dryer, sheets that need changing, and some weeds in the flowerbed which are taller than the rosebush I planted this spring. It would probably take less than half an hour for each of these tasks, but I just don’t have the energy to do it.

My aged Uncle Mort sometimes stumbles across what he calls “business opportunities,” not unlike hogs stumbling over acorns every now and again. He claims that an epiphany experienced during a recent Sam’s Club visit has led to his dusting off a rarely- used business card indicating that he is a “consultant.” I’m not sure anyone should bill himself or herself until others opt to engage their services, but Mort figures that when he reveals his “can’t miss” suggestions to Sam’s management, he will be signed on post haste….