I was prepared to write a column this month about the need for more transparency in government and a call to action by newspaper publishers to reach out to their state and national legislators and strengthen relationships ahead of future battles in Austin and Washington.
I was prepared to write about many things that were newspaper related.
But all that went out the window after news of the Uvalde shootings erupted.
Nineteen children and two teachers are dead.
Let me repeat that – 21 people (19 of them elementary children) are dead in South Texas.

TEA directed to make schools safer
Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Education Agency to ensure school facilities are made safer in the wake of the killing of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.
In a letter to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, the governor requested the agency:
• Instruct school districts to identify actions to make campuses more secure prior to the start of the new school year.

Note: This is a bulldog edition of the May 29 Capital Highlights column, to accommodate papers with early holiday deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if events dictate.

Wildfires continue across state
Firefighters are looking to the skies for much-needed rain this week as crews continue battling wildfires across the state. Fires reported Sunday by the Texas A&M Forest Service were being fought in Brown, Taylor, Wilbarger, Llano, Schleicher and San Saba counties. 

Early runoff voting ends Friday
Early voting in the May 24 primary runoff elections ends Friday, May 20. Under state law, voters who cast ballots in either party’s primary election must vote only in the same party’s runoff election. Voters who did not cast ballots in the primary may vote in either party’s runoff election.

Voters back property tax amendments
Texas voters overwhelmingly approved two proposed amendments on Saturday that will provide property tax relief to homeowners.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, nearly 85% of voters supported Proposition 2, which raises the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 starting this year. That will save the average homeowner about $175 in school property taxes.

Texas challenged by nursing, trucker shortage
Texas has the fourth-lowest nurse-to-population ratio in the country, with only 9.25 nurses per 1,000 residents, according to a recent report by the comptroller’s office.

You know, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a member of the Texas Press Association for a long time now. A really looooong time.
And I think I have earned the distinction of being the longest serving TPA board member in the history of the TPA.
In all this time I have observed a few things I’d like to share with those of you who are just beginning your trek through the TPA jungle.

What you need to know before taking flight
A cheaper, safer and more innovative way of reporting from the Texas skies has become available after a federal court struck down a state law that threatened civil and criminal penalties for using drones for newsgathering.

By Michael J. Lambert,
Media/First Amendment Attorney, Haynes and Boone, LLP in Austin

Early voting underway for May 7 election
Early voting began Monday for local elections and two proposed constitutional amendments relating to property tax reductions. Early voting continues through Tuesday, May 3, with election day on Saturday, May 7.
One proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to limit property taxes on homesteads of elderly or disabled residents, while the other would increase the homestead exemption for school taxes from $25,000 to $40,000.