SD 11 SREC: Here's a quick update from us.

July 20, 2018

TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 129 NEWSLETTER

San Jacinto/Galveston Bay Watershed Community Engagement Meeting

Harris County Flood Control District is holding a series of 23 community engagement meetings - one in each HCFCD watershed - to discuss potential projects and receive community input on the emergency bond election under discussion for August 25,2018. The following meeting has been scheduled that impacts our district:

San Jacinto/Galveston Bay Watershed Community Meeting

July 24, 6-8 pm

Sylvan Beach Pavilion

1 Sylvan Beach Drive

La Porte, TX 77571

Community input may also be provided in other ways. Full details on how to submit comments via the web, mail and phone may be found here: https://www.hcfcd.org/bond-program/community-input/

The meeting schedule is updated as meetings are added at the following link: https://www.hcfcd.org/bond-program/community-engagement-meetings

An interactive map of projects under discussion is available and will be updated as projects develop. (The interactive map allows you to click on the button to the left side to turn on legislative district boundaries.) By clicking on icons for the project locations, you can read more about expected projects, their costs and participants/funding. The link to the site is: http://www.harriscountyfemt.org/cb

Washburn Tunnel Closed 7/23-8/2 for Improvements

The Washburn Tunnel will be closed for 10 days, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 23rd to 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 2nd. During this time, crews will be conducting in-depth maintenance to the Tunnel lining, as part of the Washburn Tunnel Concrete Repairs project.

Drivers are reminded to use alternate routes during the closure. Alternate routes include I-610 East Loop Freeway, Sam Houston Parkway, and Highway 146. "The Tunnel is nearly 70 years old, and this maintenance has to take place as necessary from time to time to keep it safe and sound,” said Commissioner Jack Morman. Construction on the $670,000 project began in April. While most of the work is conducted during normal Washburn Tunnel maintenance hours, the project is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2019.

Be sure to monitor www.hcp2.com, or like “Harris County Precinct 2” and “Washburn Tunnel –Harris County Precinct 2” on Facebook for updates on this project.

Texas High School Aerospace Scholars

NASA wants today’s students to become the engineers, scientists, researchers and innovators of tomorrow. High School Aerospace Scholars offers a one-of-a-kind experience for Texas high school students to explore the possibilities of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related major or career. Learn more about the program by viewing "High School Aerospace Scholars: A Journey of Discovery." The adventure starts this fall with an online course and culminates - for students who earn the opportunity - with an onsite summer experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

To learn more, click on the brochure link below.

Brochure

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

My office is accepting applications for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program for the 2018-2019 school year. In order to be considered for the TASSP, a student enrolling in college straight from high school must meet two of the following four academic criteria at the time of application:

Be on track to graduate, or has graduated high school with the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) or the International Baccalaureate Program (IB);

Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;

Achieve a college readiness score on the SAT (1070) or ACT (23);

Be ranked in the top one-third of the prospective high school graduating class.

Additionally, students must be enrolled in a college or university in the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 academic year in order to be nominated for the TASSP during the current nomination cycle. Click here for more information on specific requirements, then click on the “Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP)” link.

TASSP encourages students to participate in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs at civilian colleges. Students are required to agree to a four-year commitment as a member of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Merchant Marine, or commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States.

These annual awards can make a significant difference in the life of high achieving students. A student may receive up to $4,000 for the 2018-2019 school year and, dependent on available funding, may receive up to four years of awards.

If you live in House District 129 and would like to be considered for nomination by Rep. Paul for the TASSP, please email your cover letter and resume to District129.Paul@house.texas.gov no later than June 30, 2018. You may also contact my District Director, Dawn McDonald, at 281-488-8900 with any questions. Each member of the Legislature is authorized to nominate one student.

DISTRICT 129 NEWS

Rep. Paul recently spoke to the Sageglen HOA members about the Coastal Barrier and Clear Creek flooding and the upcoming Harris Co. Bond election.

Recently Rep. Paul was able to tour the Longhorn Project with Cong. Olson. The project provides unique education opportunities for 3rd-7th grade students in the region.

Rep. Paul with attendees at the Longhorn Project tour.

Representative Paul recently attended the Clear Creek Watershed Community Engagement meeting.

Last night along with Gov. Abbott and the Houston & Bay Area delegation, Rep. Paul had the honor to present state resolutions to individuals who impacted our community during Hurricane Harvey at the Southbelt Chamber Heroes of Harvey Banquet.

Today Rep. Paul participated in the discussion with Sen. Cornyn on Congressional funding for the ACOE project for Clear Creek. The event took place at Thompson Intermediate, Pasadena ISD which had 5ft of flood waters. Repairs have been made for the upcoming school year, but plans are to relocated to another location eventually.