REP. GONZALES ANNOUNCES SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND

McALLEN - State Representative Veronica Gonzales encourages Texas families to take advantage of this year's Texas Sales Tax Holiday.  The sales tax holiday begins this Friday, August 19 and ends Sunday, August 21.  Texans who shop during this weekend will not have to pay state and local taxes on back-to-school items such as clothes, shoes and school supplies.

 

"I urge families to be aware of tax-free shopping this weekend and the various back-to-school items that families can purchase for their children," Gonzales said.   "School supplies can really add up especially during this tough economy when everyone is watching their dollars.   Taking advantage of the sales tax weekend will help Texas families save money towards their children's education and stretch their dollars further."

 

Shoppers will not have to pay taxes on school supplies, clothing or footwear priced under $100 and includes backpacks, paper, pens and lunch boxes.  Also included in the sales tax holiday are baby clothes, diapers, uniforms and belts.  This tax-free weekend will save our Texas families about $8 on every $100 they spend.

 

For more information on the Texas Sales Tax Holiday and a complete list of tax-free items, please see: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html

Don’t Be in the Dark When Looking for Day Care

FOR MORE INFORMATION
John Lennan
DFPS Media Specialist
(361) 878-7488 - Office
(361) 876-6387- Cell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2011
_______________________________________________________

It's almost back-to-school time! And, many Texas families are making arrangements for day care for their preschoolers as the new school year approaches.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) urges parents to do their homework carefully and always choose regulated day care. While illegal day care may seem attractive - it may be cheap or convenient - without regulation there are no checks and balances to protect children.

The DFPS Child Care Licensing program provides an online database that lets parents locate regulated day care in their area and review its record of meeting state standards. Learn about choosing child care at www.DontBeInTheDark.org.

Last month, DFPS concluded a year long TV and Radio campaign to help educate Texas parents about the dangers of illegal day care and encourage illegal operators to come into the light. Texas broadcasters played the public service announcements more than 61,000 times, and they were watched more than 7,000 times on the DFPS YouTube channel. DFPS also distributed more than 800,000 tip cards and brochures to parents and caregivers. Downloadable versions are still available in English and Spanish on the campaign website.

Unfortunately, some parents don't know the difference between licensed and unlicensed care. Here are some tips for parents looking for day care:

Find the right fit for your child. Look for features that will help your child thrive. Consider the caregiver’s education, experience, and training, as well as the size of the group and setting.
Research your options. Learn about licensed and registered child care at DontBeInTheDark.org and TxChildCareSearch.org. Parents can explore day care options - searching by ZIP code, city, or county. They can choose the type of child care they prefer—center-based or home-based, for example—then read the history of the day care's inspection records. Ask friends, family, and other parents if they can recommend child caregivers. Think about how it would feel to be there all day.

Check them out in person. Visit child care operations while children are there. See what activities are offered, how the caregiver interacts with children, and how the children like it there. Read the results of the last inspection at TxChildCareSearch.org to see if they comply with minimum standards.

Meet the caregiver or director. Discuss concerns and make sure you are happy with their answers. Return unannounced for a second look.

Although background checks are required for day care staff no matter the size of the operation, state scrutiny increases with size.

Listed homes (1-3 unrelated children) must submit an application and pass background checks. They are not inspected unless a report is received alleging abuse or neglect.
Registered homes (maximum of 12 children at any time) must meet training requirements and pass background checks. Registered homes are inspected every 1-3 years.
Requirements for the larger licensed homes and day care centers include orientation, regular training, published standards, and inspections every 5-12 months.

More details on the types of regulated child care in Texas are available at: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/other_child_care_information/childcare_types.asp


Texas Child Care Facts (2010)

· Daycare Operations and Homes: 25,250
· Capacity of regulated day care: 1,057,353
· Number of DFPS inspections of regulated facilities: 45,777
· Abuse/neglect investigations: 1,790
· Adverse actions 524


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DFPS Region 11 is comprised of the following South Texas Counties:
Aransas - Bee - Brooks - Cameron – Duval - Hidalgo - Jim Hogg – Jim Wells – Kennedy- Kleberg - Live Oak - McMullen – Nueces - Refugio - San Patricio - Starr - Webb – Willacy – Zapata

Metro McAllen Offers Shuttle Service for Tax Free Weekend

Metro McAllen, the City's public transit system, will offer shuttle service to some of McAllen’s busiest retail centers during tax free weekend, August 19-21.

Friday August 19, passengers may board from 9 am to 11 pm and then from 8 am to 11 pm on Saturday August 20. On Sunday August 21, service is offered from 9 am to 9 pm.

Shuttles run every hour on the hour beginning at Central Station in downtown McAllen and will make stops at the Palms Crossing shopping center, Academy Sports and Outdoors, La Plaza Mall and Las Tiendas shopping center. Passengers may park and board from any of the locations.

Fare for boarding Metro McAllen buses for tax free weekend is $1. Students, with any school ID, and senior citizens (over 60) pay $.50 cents.

For more information, contact Metro McAllen at (956) 681-3500, visit mcallen.net or www.facebook.com/McAllenTX.

Tax Free Shuttle Schedule:
Friday, Aug 19, 9 am to 11 pm
Saturday, Aug 20, 8 am to 11 pm
Sunday, Aug 21, 9am to 9pm

Shuttle Fare:
$1 to board
$.50 for students with any school ID
$.50 for senior citizens (over 60)

City of McAllen Recognized for Performance Management Success

McAllen, TX (August 3, 2011) – The City of McAllen has received a Certificate of Distinction for its superior performance management efforts from the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Center for Performance Measurement™. McAllen is among only 11 jurisdictions receiving the honor this year.

“We are happy to be recognized by the ICMA in our efforts to be accountable and transparent to the citizens of McAllen,” stated Mayor Richard F. Cortez.

The certificate program assesses a local government’s performance management program and encourages analysis of results by comparing to peers and gauging performance over time. Performance management aids in cost reduction, program prioritization, and quality improvement.

Criteria for the Certificate of Distinction, which serves as a checklist of effective, results-oriented management practices, include: reporting of performance data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and/or information provided to elected officials; data verification efforts to ensure reliability; staff training; use of performance data in strategic planning and operational decision making; and sharing of performance measurement knowledge with other local governments through presentations and other networking.

Mike R. Perez, City Manager, stated “An organization becomes stagnant if it does not continue to assess its functions and apply changes where necessary, and that’s what McAllen does and will continue to do.”

ICMA advances professional local government worldwide. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and advancing professional management of local government. ICMA provides member support; publications, data, and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to nearly 9,000 city, town, and county experts throughout the world.

The ICMA’s Center for Performance Measurement (CPM) is dedicated to helping local governments use performance information to better the lives of the people they serve, assisting localities with the collection, reporting and analysis of data relating to quality, effectiveness, and efficiency. CPM currently assists more than 160 local governments in the U.S. and Canada with the collection, analysis, and application of performance information.

VERONICA GONZALES TO SEEK 5TH TERM IN TEXAS HOUSE

McALLEN- State Representative Veronica Gonzales announces her intention to seek her 5th term in the Texas House representing District 40 in the Rio Grande Valley. Initially elected as the first female to represent District 41, she would now also be the first female to represent District 40, comprised of parts of the cities of Edinburg, Pharr, San Juan, Hidalgo, McAllen and Linn/San Manuel.

Following the passage of the redistricting bill which placed Gonzales' residence in District 40, she confirmed that she would not change her residence in order to seek re-election in District 41.

“While the boundaries of the district I will represent are significantly different, the issues are not. I have spent the last four terms not only fighting for District 41, but for the entire region," Gonzales said. "I am committed to continue the fight to ensure the Valley receives adequate funding, experienced legislative representation and a strong voice in our State’s decision making.”

As District 40's new state representative, Gonzales would also bring with her four terms of experience and accomplishments. “Over the past seven years, I have had the honor and privilege of working for and with people from all different backgrounds, occupations and perspectives," Gonzales noted. "I am also grateful for the support I have received from my law firm, friends and residents of Hidalgo County, which make my public service possible. I look forward to continue building upon these relationships and creating new ones to ensure that the next Legislative session is a success for District 40.”

Gonzales, who was first elected in 2004, has earned many accomplishments during her legislative career. Gonzales has served as Chair of the House Committee on Border & Intergovernmental Affairs since her initial appointment by Speaker Straus in 2009. She is also serving her third term on the Public Health Committee and serves as Legal Counsel for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

Gonzales has passed numerous pieces of legislation to address the diverse needs of Hidalgo County including: increasing the number of physicians and nurses to medically underserved areas; improvements for colonia residents; protecting victims of abuse and making a college education more attainable, among many other measures.

Gonzales, who was raised in San Marcos, Texas, has lived in Hidalgo County since 1991. The first in her family to go to college, she graduated cum laude from Southwest Texas State University and earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School. She is a name partner in the law firm of Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, L.L.P., and has earned many awards for her legal career including being named "Super Lawyer" by Texas Super Lawyers and "Extraordinary Woman in Law" by Texas Lawyer.