Monday Morning Report
|
There will probably be a crucial House-Senate budget conference committee vote today in Austin on whether or not to accept an amendment to the budget by Rep. Ruth McClendon that would put $91 million a year into the Texas Railroad Relocation and Improvement Fund. Corridor Council members could help our efforts by emailing House Speaker Joe Straus (here) and telling him that you support the McClendon amendment to finance the Rail Relocation Fund. This measure is of vital importance to the transportation and NAFTA-trade center future of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor.
Welcome to our newest Members:
Marble Falls, located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country on the Colorado River, 47 miles northwest of Austin and 85 miles north of San Antonio.
Taylor was first named Taylorsville for an official (Edward Moses Taylor) of the International and Great Northern Railroads in 1876. Taylor is an agricultural and manufacturing –based community with a growing population.
Graeber, Simmons & Cowan (GSC-Inc.) was founded in Austin in 1978 and is one of the most recognizable architectural firms in Central Texas offering planning, programming, building design, interior design and construction phase services for the broadest range of project types.
Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects, is a progressive, international firm offering a comprehensive list of design, engineering and architecture services and projects. Founded in 1932, Wilson & Company is ranked as #178 in Engineering News Record’s annual listing of the “Top 500 Design Firms” in the United States.
Infrastructure
School's Out: Comal County acted quickly after 30 cases of influenza struck locally last week, announcing the closure of all public and private schools until May 11. New Braunfels mayor Bruce Boyer described the move as 'an abundance of caution' backed by local health officials. Story.
An interesting piece of history is up for sale in Temple: the century-old home of two governors, James and Miriam Wallace Ferguson. They were Texas’ only husband-wife governor team. Their administrations were marked by some progressive gains, according to the Daily Telegram, but also by scandals and impeachment. Story.
Lockhart is confident the new Triple Freeport exemption will make it a more desirable place to do business, and city leaders say this plus the combination of State Highway 130 positions Lockhart as a key business location. News Release
Economic Development
Austin ranked number one of the 10 largest cities with the best employment prospects according to Forbes. Job growth between 2004 and 2008 was a 14.8%. Between 2007 and 2008, overall growth remained positive. Story
TxDOT Austin earned the state’s highest environmental award, the 2009 Texas Environmental Excellence Award in recognition of their overall environmental efforts in conservation of natural resources, reducing waste and pollution prevention. News Release.
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is seeking a full-time membership consultant The candidate should have significant sales experience and relationship building skills. This individual will be responsible for identifying investments in The Chamber to prospective businesses, organizations and individuals. Details
Texas has scheduled a three-day tax holiday (Memorial holiday weekend) on state and local taxes when consumers buy products bearing the Energy Star label. Consumers can save as much as $3 million if they buy energy-efficient appliances and other household items. This will be the second year Texas has offered the Energy Star holiday. Details here.
Dirt is finally moving for the new Caterpillar engine plant in Seguin. The $170 million facility, located just off SH 46, will employ more than 1,400 people at full production by the end of 2011. Employees will design, manufacture and paint engines for marine, industrial, electric, petroleum and truck use. The average wage will be about $21 an hour or $44,500 a year plus benefits. Details.
Congratulations to the Round Rock Leader newspaper, which for the fourth consecutive year has won the highest honor - the Sweepstakes Award, given to the newspaper that earns the most total points in competition - at the South Texas Press Association's annual Better Newspapers Contest. Winners were announced last week in Fredericksburg, during the annual STPA convention.
“When I look into the future, it's so bright it burns my eyes.”
~ Oprah Winfrey