BI-WEEKLY Volume 24, Number 21 - May 27, 2011

Visit our website at www.northtexasjournal.net

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Gov. Perry: The Dream of Property Ownership is Secure in Texas
Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 18, Senate and House of Representatives to pass this important
which implements landmark eminent domain reforms to piece of legislation and am pleased to see eminent domain
strengthen private property rights. The governor designated reforms signed into law,” Sen. Robert Duncan said. “This
this legislation as an emergency item for the 2011 Legisla- is a strong law that was closely negotiated by major stake-
tive Session. He was joined by Texas Agriculture Commis- holders across the state to secure enduring protections for
sioner Todd Staples, Sen. Craig Estes, Sen. Robert Duncan property owners.”
and Rep. Charlie Geren for the bill signing.
A former farmer, rancher and Texas Agriculture Commis-
“I’m proud to sign into law stronger eminent domain pro- sioner, Gov. Perry has long made private property rights a
visions protecting Texas landowners from local and state priority. Last session at the governor’s request, the Legisla-
government entities that might consider abusing private ture passed a measure allowing Texans to vote on a consti-
property rights,” Gov. Perry said. “We’ve come a long way tutional amendment requiring land to be taken only for pub-
in the effort to strengthen private property rights through lic use, ending the seizure of property for use by a private
this legislation, and thanks to the hard work of state law- developer. Additionally, local governments can no longer
makers, particularly Sen. Estes, Sen. Duncan and Rep. Ge- condemn an entire area for redevelopment by claiming it is
ren, the dream of property ownership is more secure in the blighted without proving that each section is blighted. The
State of Texas now than ever before.” amendment also protects Texas landowners against further
grants of eminent domain authority by requiring each new
SB 18 requires local and state government entities inter- grant to receive a 2/3 vote in each house of the Legislature.
ested in acquiring private property to first make an offer, in Texas voters passed this amendment in November 2009.
writing and based on an appraisal, to the landowner to pur-
chase the property through a voluntary sale for a fair price. “I am proud that our private property owners’ rights are
This prevents entities from making lowball offers knowing better protected with the passage of SB 18,” Rep. Charlie
the land can be taken by eminent domain if the landowner Geren said. “This is a great accomplishment and took a lot
doesn’t accept. The bill also requires condemnation peti- of hard work from many Texans across the state.”
tions to specifically state the public use for which the land
is needed, eliminating instances where land is taken with- “This is a major victory for the people of Texas and a great
out current plans for its use. Additionally, the bill makes it accomplishment by Gov. Perry and our Legislature,” Agri-
clear that eminent domain may only be used for public use. culture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “The signing of
this bill says, ‘Don’t mess with Texas, and don’t mess with
“We know that Texas is thriving as a state and property is a Texas land.’ SB 18 sends a clear message that here in the
valuable asset, but that growth should not come at the ex- Lone Star State, we hold dear to our heritage of land own-
pense of property owners,” Sen. Craig Estes said. “This is ership.”
the most important bill to strengthen private property rights
for landowners.”

Further, SB 18 requires a government entity that takes land

to first have a record vote stating the land to be taken and the
project for which it is being taken. It also requires entities
to provide all appraisals of the property they have during
negotiations to ensure landowners understand the fair mar-
ket value of their land. Finally, this legislation also allows
landowners to repurchase land at the price they were paid
for it if it becomes unnecessary for the project for which it
was taken, or if no actual progress is made toward the proj-
ect in 10 years, even if the project has not been cancelled.

“I am proud of the work done by members of the Texas

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Totally Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Extended to Surviving Spouse
With only ten minutes remaining in the Texas House for have made in the defense of our country,” stated Senator
consideration of non-local Senate Bills, Speaker Straus rec- Patrick.
ognized Representative Bonnen for an important motion.
Currently, a totally disabled veteran receives a 100% prop-
“I make the motion to move to suspend all necessary rules erty tax exemption. This bill extends the homestead exemp-
to take up and consider Senate Bill 516. Senate Bill 516 is tion to their surviving spouse.
Representative Fletcher’s bill, and it is appropriate to get
this done tonight. It’s to support our veterans who have “When one of our brave soldiers becomes 100% disabled,
given so much to us, so I move to suspend all necessary the family of that soldier has to make career decisions. Far
rules to pull this bill up,” Representative Bonnen motioned. too often the spouses of these soldiers forgo career opportu-
nities and many reduce work hours, affecting their income
The motion prevailed unanimously, and Senate Bill 516 and retirement. The best care that can be given is from the
passed 146-0. one you’ve exchanged vows with,” said Representative
Fletcher.
This was Representative Fletcher’s first bill he filed on
November 8, 2010, the first day of bill filing for the 82nd With the passage of this legislation, the spouse will retain
Legislative Session. Representative Fletcher asked Senator the total homestead exemption of their current home. If
Patrick to carry this bill in the Senate, and Senator Patrick they wish to move about the state, closer to family, or to
did so proudly and successfully. The enabling legislation a different home, they will receive an exemption on their
was carried by Doc Anderson in the House and Senator Van homestead in the amount equal to the exemption they re-
de Putte in the Senate. ceived on their former homestead. This will provide the
spouse the financial peace of mind by ensuring that their
“By extending property tax exemptions for veterans to property tax exemption continues to be granted and will not
these deserving spouses, we are recognizing, at least in expire after the death of the disabled veteran.
small measure, the very real sacrifices that these families
Texas House of Representatives Honors U.S. Military by Passing Armed Forces Day Resolution
House Resolution 467 commemorates our Nation’s 61st Annual Armed Forces Day

The Texas House of Representatives adopted House

Resolution 467, authored by State Representa-
tive Four Price, commemorating the 61st Annual
Armed Forces Day, today, Saturday, May 21, 2011.
The Resolution recognizes the dedicated service
and immeasurable sacrifice of our nation’s military
personnel. Additionally, the Resolution extends to
all members of the nation’s military profound ap-
preciation for their steadfast and courageous efforts
on our country’s behalf.

“I encourage all Texans to join in recognition of

Armed Forces Day by saying a special “thank you”
to our current and former service members and their
families for all they do and have done to make our
country the beacon for freedom around the world,”
said Representative Price

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How To Avoid Cellphone ‘Bill Shock’
(ARA) - Some 30 million Americans have experienced cel- 1-800-BING-411, in your phone so you can easily access
lular bill shock, a surprise that comes along with receiving them when you need information.
unexpected - and expensive - charges when it comes time
to pay their monthly wireless bill. Monitor your cellphone use. If you’re unsure about where
you stand on your minutes, check your account online.
Consumers are increasingly relying on wireless voice and Many companies also have a number you can text for up-
data devices to keep in touch with family and friends and, dated usage numbers or a toll free number you can call for
of course, to conduct business. For this reason, the Federal updates. Be aware of times that your voice and date usage
Communications Commission has launched an industry- may spike such as holidays, birthdays, unexpected illness-
wide investigation into wireless billing practices that may es, and other special times of the year.
require carriers to notify users of overcharges and sudden
increases in their cellphone bills. The FCC also identified the following common scenarios
where consumers incur unexpected extra charges:
The investigation comes on the heels of an FCC survey that
indicated one in six mobile device users had experienced * Making international or roaming calls without realizing
unexpected increases in their bills that weren’t caused by that you will be charged significantly more for minutes
a change in service plans. The FCC also reports that of the used during those calls.
764 bill-shock complaints filed in the first six months of * Incurring charges for data plans when you are unaware
2010, 67 percent involved amounts that were $100 or more that you have such a plan.
than the user’s normal monthly cellphone bill. * Being charged taxes and fees that were not made clear
when you signed up for your plan.
Certain providers like Consumer Cellular are also doing
their part to help customers avoid expensive charges by of- Taking the proper precautions to monitor your cellphone
fering free mobile alerts when customers reach a certain use and enrolling with a provider that will help you stay
threshold of usage. Consumer Cellular users can choose within your limits can end up saving hundreds of dollars in
the usage level at which they would like to be issued an overage fees. Take a minute to review your plan and figure
alert and whether they’d like to receive the message by out the best ways to monitor your usage. For more informa-
email, text message or both. tion on how to avoid overage fees, visit www.consumercel-
lular.com.
In addition to finding a provider that notifies its custom-
ers as they approach their monthly voice or data allotment,
following are additional steps consumers can take to avoid
bill shock:

Shop smart. Choose a wireless service that allows you to

change plans (both upgrading and downgrading) in the
middle of a bill cycle. This can help you avoid expensive
charges if you absolutely need to go over your minute or
data allotment.

Use minutes wisely. Listen to voicemails once and then de-

lete, since you’re using minutes each time you access your
voicemail from your cellphone. Retrieving your message
from a landline can also be a beneficial way to save on
minutes.

Consider free alternatives to 411. 411 can cost up to $2 per

use. Save 411 alternatives, such as 1-800-FREE-411 and
Page 9
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The Smart Way To Go From Renting To Owning
(ARA) - If you’ve paid attention to any news media over
the past few years, you know that the housing market has
dropped off. From a seller’s perspective, that makes life a
lot harder. But for a buyer, it can mean a wider world of
options and opportunities. For those want to become own-
ers rather than renters, it’s vitally important to make smart
decisions - as the markets have shown.
Many factors contribute to the real estate market’s current
sluggishness, and one of them is the fact that lenders are
reluctant to give loans to homebuyers. After the housing
market crisis, it’s not surprising that they would be more
demanding in their lending practices, but for those eager to
buy, it means that you need to present a pristine financial
profile.
There’s no limit to the amount of real estate browsing you
can do - either online or in your ideal neighborhood - but
before you get serious about purchasing a home, take these
tips into consideration.
* Pay down your debt. Before you even apply for a mort-
gage, it’s important that you reduce your debt load. The
Page 11
smaller it is, the better for your debt-to-income ratio, which
lenders use to determine how much they’ll allow you to
borrow. Items like car loans, child support and alimony,
credit card bills and student loans are all factors that the
lender will consider. Paying down debt can have the added
benefit of improving your credit, as well.
* Check up on your credit. Having good credit is another
essential element in smart home buying - it can affect how
lenders view you, and the terms of your mortgage. The bet-
ter shape your credit is in, the better your potential to get
the mortgage of your dreams. Every year, you’re entitled
to a free credit report from one of the three major reporting
agencies, like Equifax. Use it as a starting point that will
give you an idea of your overall credit picture. Look for
areas that can be improved upon and track your progress by
checking your credit again after you’ve put in some work
to bring it up.
* Make the biggest down payment possible. The era of
zero-down is over, and for good reason. A down payment -
and a sizeable one - can help ease the strain of a mortgage
in coming years. A minimum of 20 percent down is a good
 idea, and if you can do more than that, so much the do is take a first-time homebuyer class offered by
better. If you don’t think you can afford a down a reputable organization - some cities even offer
payment of 20 percent or more on a house you’re them for free. Be sure you know the ins and outs
considering, it might be time to shop around for a of items like closing costs, adjustable rate versus
less expensive home that is more budget friendly. fixed rate mortgages, how your credit report af-
fects mortgage rates and the documentation you’ll
* Be an informed buyer. There is a seemingly end- need to get a mortgage. The more you know, the
less list of things to know about buying a home, better equipped you’ll be to make smart decisions
and the faster you want to buy, the faster you’ll that will make you a happy homeowner for years
need to learn it all. One of the best things you can to come.

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Page 13
 Clearing Clutter And Going Green Go Hand In Hand
(ARA) - These days, we’re all trying to make small chang- Chances are, you don’t have a clue what’s in the box and
es in our everyday habits to live a little more “green,” from don’t need it.
switching to energy-efficient light bulbs to carrying reus-
able shopping bags and composting kitchen waste. But * Know your nearest donation drop. Once you’ve designat-
many don’t realize that one of the easiest ways to be more ed items to donate, you don’t have to spend hours tracking
eco-friendly is by de-cluttering and donating gently used down a location to drop your items off. Simply visit www.
items that you’re no longer using. communitydonationcenter.com to find a nearby Commu-
nity Donation Center where you can drop off your goods.
“We know millions of families across the country are al- This site also provides a list of nonprofits in your area with
ready clearing out their clutter with spring cleaning,” says donation home pick-up service where they’ll come straight
Tony Shumpert, vice president of recycling and supply to your door to collect donations.
chain operations for Savers, Inc., a thrift store chain. “By
donating these items, instead of simply throwing them “Even donations not suitable for resale, or that just don’t
away, you can give back to the community and save quality sell on our shelves, find a second life with Savers,” says
goods from polluting the earth. In fact, we operate one of Shumpert. “A portion of these goods are sent to developing
the largest recycling programs in the world, keeping more countries where they support micro-economies and help
than 500 million pounds of goods out of landfills last year improve the lives of people in other parts of the world. Re-
alone.” maining items are sold to domestic material wholesalers
who recycle the products into new materials such as wiping
But if the thought of going green has you turning red in rags, car insulation and much more.”
exhaustion, consider some of these tips to make the task
easier: Another bonus to donating your gently used goods - Savers
partners with more than 140 nonprofits and pays these or-
* Bring a friend in to help with spring cleaning. Not only ganizations for every item they collect. These partnerships
can the two of you spend a great afternoon together, but turn otherwise unused goods into sustainable funding that
your friend can also give you an objective opinion as you supports the nonprofits’ programs and services.
sort through items to keep or donate.
When you donate your unused items to Savers’ nonprofit
* Be organized about getting organized. Start in one cor- partners, another person can put them to use, which helps
ner of one room, and make your way around the room in save space in landfills, and charitable organizations in your
a circle. Don’t move on to the next room until you are fin- area will benefit as well. And you can feel good about tak-
ished with the first. If you need to take a break, go for it, but ing one more step toward living a little greener.
always return to where you left off.

* Designate a specific place for donations. Your “clutter

corner” should be in a handy, but out-of-the-way location
in your home. Encourage family members to place items -
clothes, toys, housewares - that they aren’t using any longer
into the bin. For parents, your children will see that gently
used items shouldn’t be thrown away, and something they
don’t want any longer can have a new life with someone
else.

* Be realistic about what you think you want to keep. If you

haven’t worn that shirt in more than a year, it’s ready to go.
Another way to determine what to donate is to put items
you’re not sure about into a box. Seal it and store it. If you
haven’t opened that box a year later, donate the entire thing.
Page 15
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 Visit our website at www.northtexasjournal.net

Abbey
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Page 17
 3.99%+ $1000
UP TO

APR FOR 36 MONTHS

, CUSTOMER CASH
FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS** ON SELECT MODELS *

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Phone: 940.322.4121
Fax: 940.716.9333

*Customer Cash offer good on select 2010 (and prior year) models between 12/29/10-6/30/11. **Finance offer subject to credit approval, applies to purchases of new Yamaha Motorcycles,
ATVs & Scooters made on a Yamaha Installment Financing loan account from 12/29/10-6/30/11. Minimum contract length is 24 months and maximum length is 36 months. Minimum
amount financed is $5,000. Fixed APR of 3.99% or 12.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Monthly payments per $1,000 financed based on 36 month term are $29.52 at
3.99% and $33.69 at 12.99%. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride.
It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please
call 1-800-446-9227. ATVs with engine sizes over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training
course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887- 2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces.
Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid
excessive speed; and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Professional riders depicted on closed courses. ©2011 Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. All rights reserved. • yamaha-motor.com

Page 18
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