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NNA guest editorial on postal reform available
An op-ed about postal reform is available to Texas newspapers from the National Newspaper Association.
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Week of Aug. 21-27, 2017
Special session ends over impasse on property tax reform bill
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott gave legislators 20 must-pass items, but the lawmakers delivered only 12 bills to his desk during the first called session of the 85th Texas Legislature.
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Good news on overtime rule; NNA seeks input from Texas newspapers
With the good news of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta’s announcement that he won’t enforce the proposed federal overtime pay regulations, the National Newspaper Association is asking Texas newspaper publishers to help provide input as the DOL considers standards that would be more fair.
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National Newspaper Week is Oct. 1-7
This year marks the 77th anniversary of National Newspaper Week (NNW), Oct. 1-7. The annual observance celebrates and emphasizes the impact of newspapers to communities large and small.
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A. H. Belo president, Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney to receive James Madison Award
AUSTIN – Jim Moroney, publisher of The Dallas Morning News and chief executive officer of the A. H. Belo Corporation, is the recipient of the 2017 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
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Property tax rate notice requirements remain unchanged
The Texas Legislature’s high-profile stalemate over property tax reform means newspapers will remain the primary source of public notices for tax hearings and rates — for now, at least.
Analysis by Donnis Baggett, Texas Press Association
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Week of Aug. 14-20, 2017
Abbott signs 3 bills with few likely to reach his desk in final week
AUSTIN — Three bills reached Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk last week, with the 30-day special session of the Texas Legislature set to expire Aug. 16.
Abbott signed all three into law on Aug. 11:
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Week of Aug. 7-13, 2017
House passes bills to give retired teachers relief from rising costs
AUSTIN – The Texas House on Aug. 1 approved House Bill 20, legislation appropriating $212.7 million from the “rainy day” reserve fund to help defray rising healthcare costs for retired school employees.
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A day at the capitol
Seeing government in action is an eye-opening experience, especially in Austin.
Last week, I received a call from the Texas Press Association asking if I would come to the state capitol and testify against a bill in the current Special Session.
Opinion by Melissa Perner, Ozona Stockman
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Periodical permits at risk over 75 percent ad rule
There’s been an uptick in recent years of newspapers found in violation of the 75 percent advertising rule, which prohibits Periodicals from running more than 75 percent advertising percentage in more than half the issues in a 12-month period.
Postal Tips by Max Heath
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Freestone County Publishing acquires Teague Chronicle
FAIRFIELD – Freestone County Publishing, LP, announced the acquisition of a second newspaper and the appointment of a new publisher to head the operation.
Richard Nelson has assumed duties as the editor and publisher of The Fairfield Recorder and the Teague Chronicle, acquired from longtime owner Patricia Massey Wilkins.
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Texas Gulf Coast Press Association convenes in Galveston
The Texas Gulf Coast Press Association honored Hall of Fame inductees and celebrated the results of the regional group’s annual Better Newspaper Contest at the 2017 annual convention held in May at the Holiday Inn Resort in Galveston.
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Texas newspapers fight hard to retain property tax notices
The special session of the Texas Legislature is at the halfway point, and Texas newspapers are fighting to hold onto public notices for property tax matters.
Analysis by Donnis Baggett, TPA Executive Vice President
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Week of July 31 - Aug. 6, 2017
House, Senate have not yet engaged in back-and-forth on key bills
AUSTIN — Not a single bill had been agreed to by the state House and Senate as of July 28, exactly 10 days into the 30-day special session of the Texas Legislature.
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Week of July 24-30, 2017
Senate races through agenda to get to other-than-Sunset bills
AUSTIN — The 85th Texas Legislature convened at the Capitol on July 18 for its first called session, the main purpose being for lawmakers to extend the life of certain state agencies scheduled for termination, and then to proceed to other matters.
