By JIM PUMARLO, consultant

Turnout drops in recent election

 Voter turnout in the midterm elections again dropped statewide, with just over 45% of registered voters either casting ballots early or at the polls on Nov. 8. Republican candidates continued to hold a hammerlock on statewide positions, with incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott handily winning a third term over challenger Beto O’ Rourke.

Panic buttons, locked doors for Texas schools

Texas public schools would have to install panic buttons in classrooms and ensure all doors and windows are locked and monitored under new proposed safety standards released last week by the Texas Education Agency.

Publishers often neglect the critical element of building a working relationship with their elected officials until, unfortunately, they are opposite sides of a fence. 
Developing a working relationship with an elected official is not about agreeing on everything, but rather discovering those opportunities where you both share interests. And the only way to get there is by investing time to build a relationship. For many of us, that means reliving your teenage first-date jitters.

By Leonard Woolsey, TPA President

Early voting ends Friday; election is Tuesday, Nov. 8
 
Early voting for the general election ends on Friday, Nov. 4, with the closely watched governor’s race pitting incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott against challenger Beto O’ Rourke headlining the ballot. A number of other statewide races are on the ballot, including lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and comptroller. 

Early voting underway across state
Early voting in this year’s midterm elections began Monday and continues through Friday, Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8. Voters will pick the state’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and comptroller in statewide races. 

Early voting begins Oct. 24
Early voting in the Nov. 8 general election begins Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4. Applications for voting by mail must be received by Oct. 28, according to the secretary of state’s office. 

Expect to fight tooth and nail for public notices in the upcoming Texas legislative session. 
There’s an old saying: “Best to be loaded for bear when hunting squirrel.” The meaning is simple: always be prepared for the worst. Things can go from a nice day in the woods to downright deadly in the blink of an eye. 

By Leonard Woolsey, TPA President

Texans urged to get flu shot
Flu season is underway, and health officials are urging Texans to get their vaccinations as soon as possible, since it takes about two weeks for the shot to take effect.

State sends resources to Florida
 
Texas has deployed state resources to Florida to assist in response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastation caused last week by Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States in the past decade.