The Henderson News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 46, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 25, 2019 Page: 4 of 10
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PAGE 4 — THE HENDERSON NEWS — Sunday, August 25,2019
OPINION
Sassy toddler brings me joy
Mortgage milestone
41
Government Access
The Henderson q News
/
S;
ED
STERLING
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
Republican House mem-
bers.
Amanda McFadin — Circulation
Supervisor
circulation@thehendersonnews. com
Tory Van Blarcum — Reporter
society@thehendersonnews.com
Amber Lollar — Marketing Executive
marketing@thehendersonnews.com
Nancy Harris — Office Manager and
Bookkeeper
officemanager@thehendersonnews.com
Debra Odom — Classified Manager
classifieds @thehendersonnews .com
routine and having Chris do drop off or pick up
but they are my two favorite times of the day that
I don’t want to give up.
Presley and I have learned a little routine
Tiffani Patterson — Marketing Executive
advertising@thehendersonnews.com
Dan Moore — Editor & Publisher
publisher@thehendersonnews.com
Kent Mahoney — Managing Editor
managingeditor@thehendersonnews.com
Ben Marmolejo-Najera — Graphic
Designer
graphics@thehendersonnews.com
TORYVAN
BLARCUM
Economy adds jobs in July
The Texas Workforce Commission on Aug. 16
Bureau of Investigation; Lub-
bock County District Attorney K.
Sunshine Stanek; El Paso Police
Chief Greg Allen, Hidalgo County
Sheriff Eddie Guerra, Hidalgo;
and Capt. Anthony Carter, Col-
lin County Sheriffs Office, North
Texas Fusion Center.
Fusion centers combine the
capabilities of local, state and fed-
eral law enforcement agencies in
combating criminal activity.
TEA releases ratings
The Texas Education Agency
on Aug. 9 released preliminary
Governor Greg Abbott
PO Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
(800) 843-5789
President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-1414
comments @ whitehouse.gov
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert
2243 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
(866) 535-6302
State Rep. Travis Clardy
202 East Pilar RM 310
Nacogdoches, Texas 75961
(936) 560-3982
Dr. Ray Perryman is President and
CEO of The Perryman Group, an economic
research and analysis firm based in Waco,
Texas.
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-5922
(202) 224-2934
(713) 572-3337 Houston
cornyn.senate.gov/public
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
B40B Dirksen
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5922
State Senator
Bryan Hughes
100 Independence
Place, Suite 301
Tyler, Texas 75703
(903) 581-1776
DR. RAY
PERRYMAN
The Economist
DAVE
MCNEELY
real consequence and cost
of Donald Trump.
“And I saw it again yes-
Dave McNeely is a retired
political writer for the Austin
American-Statesman. He can be
reached at <davemcneelym@
gmail.com> (512) 458-2963.
BETO:
“Even before this cam-
in the mornings, that once
we get to day care, she gets
out of the car and walks in
holding my hand and carry-
ing her lunch box. We get
inside and she walks straight
to her class, puts up her lunch
box and gives me hugs and
kisses before going into the
classroom. She will then turn
around (most days) and tell
me “Bye-bye momma, I love
you.” Melts my heart every
Al
in America.”
TODD:
“You’ve (said) you hadn’t
After more
than a decade,
the amount
of household
debt (including
mortgages) has
surpassed pre-
Great Reces-
sion levels.
Sometimes, an
upswing in debt
of certain types
can be a nega-
tive signal, such
as rising credit card debt in an eco-
nomic downturn as people try to
deal with financial setbacks such as
job losses. However, rising debt can
also reflect economic strength as
increasing numbers of households
are willing and able to purchase big-
ticket items such as homes and cars.
The Federal Reserve Bank of
New York’s Center for Microeco-
nomic Data analyzes data provided
by Equifax. The latest Quarterly
Report on Household Debt and
Credit reveals that total household
debt increased in the second quar-
ter by $192 billion (1.4%) to $13.86
trillion. The increase is the 20th
consecutive uptick. The total is $1.2
trillion higher than the previous
peak of $12.68 trillion back in the
third quarter of 2008. Although not
inflation adjusted, it’s still a signifi-
cant milestone.
Mortgage balances are the larg-
est component of household debt
by far. They rose by $162 billion in
the second quarter of 2019 to reach
$9.4 trillion, higher than the previ-
ous record level of $9.3 trillion from
the third quarter of 2008. (Note
that these mortgage balances do not
include home equity lines of credit,
which have been falling for a while
now.) Auto loan balances were up
$17 billion and credit card balances
increased by $20 billion, while stu-
dent loan balances declined by $8
billion.
Another sign of health in hous-
ing is that foreclosures remain
low. ATTOM Data Solutions tracks
US foreclosures. The firm’s latest
Foreclosure Market Report, which
includes default notices, sched-
uled auctions and bank reposses-
sions indicated such actions were
reported on 676,535 US properties
in 2017, down 27% from 2016. It’s
the lowest level since 2005 and is a
whopping 76% lower than the peak
of nearly 2.9 million in 2010 during
the worst of the downturn.
In many markets, supplies of
houses for sale are fairly tight and
prices are generally rising, which
would tend to ncrease the size of
individual mortgages. Consumer
confidence remains high, increasing
the likelihood that people will be in
the market for homes. With ongoing
health in the job market, I think we
can expect the trend of rising debt
to continue for now.
After more than a decade, the
housing market has finally worked
through the major problems of the
Great Recession. People are more
ready, willing, and able to take on
mortgages, and we’ve finally passed
a significant milestone. This time
around, however, lending practices
are more stringent and markets and
home prices are less overinflated.
The current debt is far more healthy
and sustainable, particularly if the
economy remains strong.
Kellie Norton— Marketing Executive
mediasales @thehendersonnews .com
PO Box 30 — Henderson, Texas 75653 — 903-657-2501 — (Fax) 903-657-2452— www.thehendersonnews.com
The Henderson News is published on Wednesdays and Sundays in Henderson, Texas 75654. Each edition is entered as periodical mail with the Hen-
derson branch of the United States Postal Service (No. 239-960). By Postal Service regulations, all subscriptions must be paid for in advance of the first
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be submitted via email to <managingeditor@thehendersonnews.com>.
But, as he
returns to the
presidential
campaign, he
is shifting his
sights on where
and how to cam-
paign.
NBC’s Chuck
Todd on Aug.
18 interviewed
Beto about his
different path.
Beto said he’s going to
But two unanticipated take his campaign to Trump
events this summer added
torque to the situation.
District of Texas; Jeff Murray, U.S. Department j 2
of Homeland Security; members of the Federal based Texas M’ess Association.
Texas Dems target Bonnen
Gate; Beto targets Trump
Whether Texas
was front burner in
national politics for
2020 before, it is
now.
National organi-
zations have opened
campaign offices
aimed at making
2020 a crossover year
for the Democrats, in
Texas and the nation.
Republicans have
opened some as well.
Not sure how I truly want to begin this col-
umn this week so if this feels a little bit rambly,
I apologize. I don’t have a whole lot to talk about
right now except for my usual topic of Presley.
Let’s see in two weeks I will be the mother to a
two year old. How did we get here so fast?
Now if you remember a previous column a
few months back, I told you how we had already
started the terrible twos, well lets just say they
have gotten worse.
Just this past week, she didn’t care for some-
thing her day care teacher told her, so Presley
being my child, put her hands on her hips, shook
her butt and told her teacher “no.” Talk about time!
sassy! Pick ups are a little more exciting at times,
Presley’s current teacher is her newest one when I get there she will come running to the
since Presley moved up classes to be with the door, arms wide open till she gets to me to give
other two year olds. In doing so I believe she has me a hug and super excited to see me. Now
picked up a few bad and good habits from her the exciting part is when her teacher has just
classmates. mopped the floor and it’s wet. Presley runs, arms
Not only has she been extra sassy lately in her wide open, makes it about three quarters of the
walk and attitude, she’s been a handful. Crying way to the door and slips with her feet out from
and throwing fits when she doesn’t get what she under her. Of course being the great mom I am,
wants and when she wants it. Chris and I spend I laugh.
quite a bit of time dealing with these fits and The overall excitement my child has to see me
I’ve come to the realization that I am the meaner at any time when I’ve been away from her, even
parent. Presley, by far, has daddy wrapped just walking back into the room from the rest
around her finger, not so much mommy. room, makes all those terrible twos moments
Going back to talking about day care, I do the not seem so bad and totally worth it. Presley
daily drop off and pick ups to school with Pres- may have daddy wrapped around her finger but
ley and have since she was seven months old. At mommy is, by far, her favorite person.
times, this can be a huge hassle with trying to get This year has gone by so fast watching her
to work at a good time or trying to make it back grow, learn and develop into a short, sassy tod-
to Kilgore before the day care charges me extra dler but it has been so much fun with her, espe-
for being late. I have thought about changing our cially when she starts acting silly.
Tory Van Blarcum is the reporter for The Henderson
News. Her e-mail address is <society@thehendersonnews.
com.>
© 2019, Henderson Newspapers Inc.
^MEMBER
B 2019
AUSTIN — Texas now boasts its own Domestic
Terrorism Task Force, established by order of the
governor in the wake of the deadly Aug. 3 shooting
in El Paso.
Twenty-two people were killed and 24 injured
by a suspect firing a military-style assault rifle in a
popular shopping venue.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 14 said the task
force’s job will be to analyze and provide advice on
strategies to maximize law enforcement’s ability
to protect against acts of domestic terrorism. The
first meeting is set for Aug. 30.
“Our top priority is to keep Texans safe in
their communities, he said, adding that “Texas is
stronger when we come together in pursuit of a
shared goal, and today’s actions are vital steps in financial accountability ratings for more than
our ongoing fight against extremism and violence. 1,100 school districts and charters across the state.
We stand united against those who wish to bring According to the agency, 87 percent earned the
harm to our state, and together we will build a highest preliminary rating possible for 2018-2019.
safer future for every Texan.” A school district or open-enrollment charter is
Meanwhile, Abbott directed the Texas Depart- assigned one of four possible letter grades — A,
ment of Public Safety to: B, C or F — and a financial management rating
• Conduct a state intelligence assessment on the of Superior, Above Standard Achievement, Meets
domestic terrorism threat; Standard or Substandard Achievement.
• Establish a Domestic Terrorism Section with- Ratings for 2018-2019 are based on annual
in the Texas Fusion Center to proactively seek, financial reports provided to TEA by districts and
assess and monitor domestic terrorism and other charters for the 2018 fiscal year.
mass casualty threats; Texas’ notes rated high
• Coordinate with the designated regional State Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Aug. 15
fusion centers in Texas to increase the detection announced Texas repeated its high credit ratings
and monitoring of domestic terrorism and other for this year’s Texas Tax and Revenue Anticipation
mass casualty threats; Notes, short-term debt obligations to help the state
• Establish Domestic Terrorism Teams com- manage its cash-flow needs for fiscal 2020.
prised of DPS Special Agents to provide immedi- “Texas has once again received the highest
ate direct support to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task short-term credit ratings on these one-year notes,”
Forces and increase the number of special agents Hegar said. “These high ratings, coupled with the
to conduct domestic counterterrorism investiga- maintenance of our AAA long-term ratings, help
tions; keep Texas’ borrowing costs low and save taxpayer
• Increasing the number of DPS special agents dollars as we manage our cash flow. Our credit-
and analysts in the Texas Anti-Gang Centers con- worthiness reflects our conservative approach to
ducting investigations of criminal gangs affiliated financial management, an increasingly diverse
with Neo Nazi and White Nationalist groups and economy and our broad and rising employment
networks espousing terrorist attacks. base.”
Task force members named Hegar added, however, that issues such as
The Governor’s office posted the following list emerging trade tensions, the need to continue
of those who will serve on the new Domestic Ter- to address long-term obligations on the state’s
rorism Task Force: balance sheet and increased spending pressures
Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, continue to pose potential risks to the Lone Star
House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Attorney Gen- State’s future credit.
eral Ken Paxton. Also, DPS Chief Steve McCraw,
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief
Nim Kidd; Major General Tracy Norris, Texas announced that in the month of July the state’s
Military Department; Executive Director Aman- economy added 35,200 seasonally adjusted total
da Crawford, Texas Department of Information non-farm positions.
Resources; and Executive Director Carter Smith, Also, the unemployment rate held steady in
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. July at 3.4 percent, matching the all-time record
Also included are members of the U.S. Cus- low set in June. The rate of 3.4 percent is the low-
toms and Border Patrol, members of the U.S. est recorded unemployment rate since tracking
Secret Service, U.S. Attorney John Bash, Western began in 1976..
Ed Sterling is Director of Member Services with Austin-
Governor takes action to prevent acts of terrorism
F
\
— not just where the other
candidates are, like Iowa
The first involves the and New Hampshire, but
fight for control of the Texas where the problems are —
House of Representatives. even if the early primary
First-term House Speak- votes aren’t there.
er Dennis Bonnen, in a June That’s why in three
12 meeting in the speaker’s days, he was in Mississippi,
office, apparently proposed Arkansas and Oklahoma —
a trade with right-wing pol- to demonstrate that “every-
icy group Empower Texans one has a seat at the table,
leader Michael Quinn Sul- “Coming from El Paso,
livan: House press creden- Texas, a community that
tials for your affiliated staff, was rarely, if ever, visited, I
in exchange for your group know what that feels like to
helping defeat a list of 10 be left behind.
“But I also know what
it feels like when someone
As word of the meet- finally shows up. And I’m
ing began to leak out, and going to be that candidate
continued to, Democrats that shows up for everyone
watched with interest. ' * ' ‘ ”
They hope the under-
mined trust among Repub-
licans in the Texas House been talking about the issue
will help Democrats pick up that you think you should
the nine additional Repub- be talking about more, and
lican seats needed to take that’s President Trump..."
over that 150-memberbody.
Bonnen’s proposed bar-
ter on June 12 was turned paign, I talked about how
down by Sullivan in a June dangerous President
19 letter. Trump’s open racism is,
Bonnen publicly denied the Mexicans as rapists and
some of the details. But criminals, the Muslims, who
then, Sullivan disclosed on should be banned from this
July 25 that he had secretly country...the mosque in Vic-
recorded the original con- toria, burned to the ground
versation. the day after he signs his
He played parts of it for executive order attempting
some House members, who to ban Muslim travel,
largely confirmed Sullivan’s “But it wasn’t until some-
account. one, inspired by Donald
For Bonnen, this was a Trump, drove more than
double embarrassment. Not 600 miles, to my home-
only had he a few weeks ear- town, and killed 22 people
lier said he would back any in my community with a
Republican House mem- weapon of war, an AK-47...I
ber seeking re-election, he truly understood how criti-
would punish any incum- cal this moment is and the
bent member who cam-
paigned against another.
Recently, the House
General Investigating Com- terday, in Mississippi, in
mittee asked the Texas Canton,...nearly 700 people
Rangers to investigate the working in chicken process-
meeting and its aftermath, ing plants, one of the tough-
including possible record- est jobs in America, were
ings and written communi- raided, detained, taken
cations. from their kids, humiliated,
Meanwhile, Democrats hogtied, for the crime of
are hoping to reap the bene- being in this country, doing
fits of the distracting power a job that no one else will
struggle among Republi- do.
cans in next year’s elections.
“There is a concerted,
organized attack against
The second unexpected immigrants, against people
event was the Aug. 3 mass of color, against those who
murder in El Paso, where do not look like or pray
a white supremacist from like or love like the major-
Allen, north of Dallas, drove ity in this country. And this
600-plus miles to kill 22 moment will define us one
Mexicans to help stop “inva- way or another.
sion” by immigrants. “And if we do not wake
El Paso’s former con- up to it, I am convinced
gressman is hometown that we’ll lose America, this
boy Beto O’Rourke, who is country, in our sleep. And
among the two dozen can- we cannot allow that to hap-
didates for the Democratic pen.”
presidential nomination. Both the Bonnen-Sulli-
O’Rourke suspended his van outfall, and Beto’s cam-
campaign and came home paign makeover, should be
for two weeks after the interesting to watch.,
shooting. He says he’s not
following the advice of some
backers to shift his sights to
John Cornyn’s US Senate
seat.
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Moore, Dan & Mahoney, Kent. The Henderson News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 46, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 25, 2019, newspaper, August 25, 2019; Henderson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1236635/m1/4/: accessed June 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rusk County Library.