Government - page 4

With the severe weather season upon us, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds Texans they can purchase certain items tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 24.

“While we can’t know in advance when the next flood, tornado, or hurricane may strike, we can make sure our families, homes and businesses have the supplies they need to face these and other emergencies,” Hegar said. “This tax holiday can help Texans save money while stocking up for emergency situations. Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Take the time now to get prepared.”

The Comptroller’s office estimates shoppers will save nearly $2 million in state and local sales taxes during the tax holiday, which was approved by the Texas Legislature in 2015.

There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. These include:

• household batteries, fuel containers, and flashlights priced less than $75;
• hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced less than $300; and
• portable generators priced less than $3,000.

For purchases made online, note that delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax-free during the holiday.

For example, if you purchase a rescue ladder online for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, the total sales price is $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.

Purchases that do not qualify include:

• batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles;
• camping stoves and camping supplies;
• chainsaws;
• plywood;
• extension ladders and stepladders;
• and tents.

A list of emergency preparation supplies that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the Comptroller’s website.

In the Federal fiscal year 2022, the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services confirmed 56,944 victims of child abuse or neglect, including 1,027 in Orange County. We must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, nurturing environment.

Mayor Larry Spears Jr. has proclaimed April 2023 as Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month in the City of Orange and urges all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.

A copy of the proclamation was presented to Codie Vasquez, Executive Director at CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, by  Mayor Larry Spears Jr., City of Orange.

Governor Greg Abbott announced on March 17, 2023, that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved a request from the State of Texas for a disaster declaration in communities affected by tornadoes in Southeast Texas on January 24. Counties included in the declaration are Harris, Orange, and their contiguous counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, and Waller.

“This disaster declaration is an important step in helping Texans and Texas communities impacted by January’s severe weather and tornados continue to recover,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working with the U.S. Small Business Administration to determine that eligibility requirements were met for Harris, Orange, and surrounding counties. The State of Texas will continue working nonstop to help homeowners and businesses receive the support needed to rebuild and recover from storm damage.”

With this approval, the SBA granted access to its Physical Disaster Loan program for homes and businesses, as well as its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Local, state, and federal officials conducted an analysis of damage sustained in Southeast Texas, which verifies that Harris and Orange counties meet the federally required thresholds for SBA assistance. Officials also reviewed disaster damage information self-reported by Texans through Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) surveys.

This week, the Governor directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to request a disaster declaration from the SBA after the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Texas’ request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Last month, the Governor requested President Biden declare a major disaster for the State of Texas in response to the severe weather that impacted Southeast Texas, which would have provided several types of federal resources to the residents of designated counties.

On January 26, Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration for impacted communities in Southeast Texas that suffered damage to homes and businesses. The Governor updated the declaration on January 30 to include additional affected counties. At the Governor’s direction, beginning January 23 and throughout the severe weather event, TDEM deployed state emergency response personnel to provide support to local jurisdictions and conduct preliminary damage assessments in coordination with local officials.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Effective March 1, 2023, the City of Orange Recreation Center will begin charging membership and rental fees.

For residents of the City of Orange, there will be no fees to use the Recreation Center.

Non-resident memberships are as follows:

• Daily Fee – $5.00
• Monthly Fee – $35.00
• Family Pass – $80.00

City of Orange residents will be required to submit proof of residency in the form of a utility bill.

For additional information, please contact the Orange Recreation Center at 409.883.1072.

The progress continues in West Orange to clean up abandoned buildings.

This week’s demo is the Old Appliance Store on Western Ave. Several abandoned homes are also on the demo list, waiting for utilities to be marked.