VOL 11 No. 47
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
Legislators to tackle Harvey projects, school finance; Cash reserves at $12 bn
the new speaker and Lt. Governor, would reach a compromise. It is hoped that if the school funding problem is addressed, the revenue cap issue may recede into the background. Jeff Wiley, president of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, outlined the EDC’s pro-business, progrowth priorities, saying “Do no harm: Show restraint and limit legislation whenever possible to the fiscal and administrative matters related to state governance; avoid mandates on local governments, especially avoid unfunded mandates.” The EDC is opposed to any additional property tax and revenue cap legislation. The EDC supports comprehensive school finance reform that increases state funding for public education to levels greater or equal to 50 percent of public education costs and develop a permanent funding source for the state share of public education. Conference delegates paid rich compliments to County Judge Bob Hebert and lauded his contributions to the county in his 16 years in office. Hebert, in his remarks,noted that the county has come far ahead in the last 16 years and hoped the county will be in a better shape after his successor KP George assumes office. George and the newly elected Pct. 4 commissioner Ken DeMerchant attended the conference. Hebert said he was encouraged by the county judge-elect’s assurance about continuity in the administration. Hebert gave a sort of consolation to the delegates saying his absence would not hurt the county seriously. He named the incumbent commissioners Vincent Morales, Grady Prestage and Andy Meyers and said they did all the heavy lifting, while he was a spokesman for the county. The county is good hands, Hebert said,
Marvin Marcell, left, moderates the panel discussion at the Fort Bend County Legislative Conference on Nov. 14. State Reps. John Zerwas, left, Rick Miller and Phil Stephenson. This fix to the school finances may help address the property tax burden on tax payers. The legislators also assured that school safety would receive funding. The state is likely to leave the details of spending to the local schools. Other issues like performance grades, inadequate funds for Pre-K education and diversion of funds to charter schools, were raised. State Senators Lois Kolkhorst and Boris Miles. Property tax reform also By SESHADRI KUMAR the U.S. and 10th largest in the figured in the discussion, with the “Harvey, Harvey, Harvey.” world, ahead of countries like recognition that school property This will be among the top South Korea, Canada and Russia. tax was the big chunk of the tax three issues to be addressed The state’s “Rainy Day Find” bill. at the upcoming 86th Texas or cash reserves is $11.85 billion, While the governor continues Legislature, beginning Jan. 8, the highest ever, Hegar said. to advocate for more stringent 2019, quipped State Sen. Lois And legislators eye this fund revenue cap, mayors and county Kolkhorst, suggesting funding balance for bridging the budget elected officials continued their for future flood control projects is shortfall. strong opposition to any revenue a top priority for her constituents. Added to the good economic cap. Then followed State Sen. news is the impending election Revenue cap would require Boris Miles, a Democrat, also of State Rep. Dennis Bonnen as cities and counties to seek voter representing Fort Bend County, the next speaker, ending political approval to raise the property tax who pointed out school finance uncertainty. by 4 percent. Previously, Senate as his top priority. Unlike in the past, Texas proposed a 4 percent cap and the Others in the Fort Bend House and Senate are expected to House a 6 percent cap, but neither delegation, State Reps. Rick have a better relationship, as Lt. could reconcile the difference. Miller, John Zerwas and Phil Gov. Dan Patrick and Bonnen are In this context, area mayors Stephenson, all concurred with said to be on good terms. highly critical of Governor Greg their Senate counterparts and said The legislative conference Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick, the 2019 legislature will have to is a platform for the Fort Bend urged them not to interfere with tackle Harvey funding and school County elected officials to the local governments and mind finance. present their wish list to the state the state business. With the continuing deficit legislators. With the former speaker and for Medicare, estimated to Attorney Joe B. Allen,retired Lt. Governor at loggerheads over be $2.5 billion and Harvey partner of the law firm Allen, the issue, it remains to be seen if related funding to be about $1 Boon, Humphries and Robinson, billion, budget writers will be presented a proposal on flood facing a formidable challenge, mitigation. the legislators told the Fort Allen suggested the Bend County 2018 Legislative establishment of a “Flood Conference, hosted by Fort Bend Mitigation Fund” at the Texas County Judger Bob Hebert and Water Development Board, with conducted by the Greater Fort a one time transfer of $3 billion Bend Economic Development from the Economic Stabilization Council at Hyatt Lost Pines Fund, also known as Rainy Day Resort in Bastrop, near Austin on Fund. Nov. 14 and 15. All political subdivisions County commissioners, city in the state with flood control mayors, school board trustees, mitigation authority can school superintendents, comm- participate with a 25 per cent unity college and university local match and the state should representatives, and members provide grants, not loans, he said. of EDC were among the invited The legislators, while participants in the conference, welcoming the idea, cautioned held once in two years, ahead of that legislators from north Texas the upcoming legislative session. and west Texas have to be Adding a silver lining to the convinced of this program. usually dark budget forecast, The school districts panel Beacon Award-Winning ICU team Texas State Comptroller Glenn called for adequate funding The American Association of outcomes and align practices Hegar gave an optimistic forecast from the state for education Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), with AACN’s six Healthy Work that the available revenue for the as stipulated in the Texas recently recognized the Medical Environment Standards. Units budget will be about $2.5 billion Constitution. ICU Department at Houston that achieve this three-year, more than the last biennium, The existing funding formula, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital three-level award with gold, thanks to the booming economy established in 2006 accounted for with the silver-level Beacon silver or bronze designations and higher than expected sales 50 per cent of the funding from meet national criteria consistent Award for Excellence, making tax collection. the state and the other 50 percent with Magnet® Recognition, both ICUs the only Beacon The state’s unemployment is at from the local school property the Malcolm Baldrige National critical care units in Fort Bend a record low and the state added tax. Quality Award and the National County. 406,000 jobs in the last four As the school district collected Quality Healthcare Award. The Beacon Award for months. more local revenue, the state AACN President Lisa Riggs, Excellence — a signifi cant The oil and gas sector is doing reduced its share and now MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC, milestone on the path to very well in Texas, though the contributes only 38 percent. applauds the commitment of exceptional patient care and information sector lost about The consensus among the the interprofessional team in healthy work environments — 600,000 jobs, Hegar said. legislators was that the school the Medical ICU at Houston recognizes unit caregivers who The $1.7 trillion Texas funding formula should be Methodist Sugar Land for successfully improve patient economy is the second largest in restored to the 50:50 level.
National Adoption Day: Fort Bend County Courts finalize 18 adoptions
Theresa Egly hugs daughter Sophie at Fort Bend County National Adoption Day Celebration. Sophie was one of 18 children who were adopted at the Fort Bend County Courthouse during Friday morning’s superhero themed celebration. Fort Bend County’s District Court Judges Ron Pope, Brenda Mullinix, and David Perwin finalized 18 adoptions on Friday in celebration of National Adoption Day. An additional ten children were adopted out of the foster care system earlier this year. The Fort Bend County 328th, 387th, and 505th District Courts joined courts across the country in opening their doors on National Adoption Day to complete adoptions and celebrate all families who adopt. “This year’s National Adoption Day was a wonderful celebration” said Metoyer Martin, CASA program director and chair of the event. “It is always great to see the attorneys, CPS, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and judges all work together to finalize the adoptions and ultimately give these children safe, permanent and loving homes. It is wonderful to see them all settled in loving homes. In August of 2017, there were 29,954 children in foster care in the state of Texas and 8,055 were free for adoption.” Here in Fort Bend County, the District Courts, Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) and its partner agencies: Texas Department of Family Protective Services, Fort Bend Bar Association, Fort Bend County Child Welfare Board, Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office, Fort Bend Lawyers Care, the Fort Bend Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers, H.E.B., Bikers Against Child Abuse and the Rosenberg Exchange Club worked together to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more families and individuals to give children permanent homes through adoption. Southern Ice Cream, Twist It Up Balloons, Marble Slab, Chickfil-A, and Alyssa Villegas Dance Team all donated items to help with the event.
ICU at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital gets Beacon Award for Excellence
working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated health care professionals join other members of our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models
to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explains. The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies an effective and systematic approach to achieve optimal patient care by meeting the following evidence-based criteria: •Leadership Structures and Systems •Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement •Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, and Learning and Development •Evidence-Based Practices and Processes •Outcome Measurement “Having been awarded the silver-level Beacon Award of Nursing Excellence is a true testament to the level of dedication and focus the unit has in providing exceptional patient care. It is a very significant milestone for the unit, especially since the Medical ICU only opened Feb. 2016,” said Charlene Manzano, nurse manager of the Medical ICU. “It is a team achievement as the award is a validation of what the nurses, in collaboration of the other members of the ICU interprofessional team, do at the bedside and I am truly honored and proud to work with such a wonderful team.”