🌱 State Senators Lighten TEA Takeover + I-45 Expansion + LGBTQ Policy

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your dedicated announcer of the Houston newsletter — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. Today's briefing includes news about:

• Texas senators fight back against TEA takeover of HISD
• The I-45 expansion project resumes development
• LGBTQ related bills will soon inundate Texas legislators

But first, today's weather: Very warm. High: 84 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

1. Texas senators filed Senate Bill 1662 in order to reduce the effects of TEA's (Texas Education Agency) looming takeover of HISD (Houston Independent School District). The bill would prevent TEA from replacing board trustees who have succeeded in improving the district's national standing in the past couple of years. State senator Carol Alvarado said, "It is unjust and unwarranted for TEA to move forward with a takeover. S.B. 1662 offers the agency options to work collaboratively with HISD to address any current deficiencies instead of subjecting nearly 200,000 students and 27,000 teachers and employees to a takeover." In addition to saving current HISD officials from being replaced, the bill offers tools to TEA that would aid them in addressing poor performance ratings. (Houston Chronicle)
2. The hotly debated expansion of I-45 from downtown to Beltway 8 will move forward after TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation Agency) and the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) reached an agreement. The $9 billion project was previously halted by the FHWA due to concerns over the project's impact on the local community as well as its construction timelines. However, both groups signed a Voluntary Resolution Agreement that put those concerns to rest. Nonetheless, the project plans to demolish at least 1,000 homes as well as a number of local businesses that are currently in the way of the highway's expansion. The group Stop TxDOT I-45 continues to actively protest expansion on behalf of these homes and businesses. Meanwhile, Mayor Sylvester Turner claims the expansion is necessary for the betterment of the city and will reduce traffic, mitigate future flooding, create jobs, and more. (KTRK-TV)
3. The Texas House will vote on an overwhelming number of bills concerning the LGBTQ community this year, and there's more LGBTQ members in the House than ever before. A total of nine Texas House members currently identify as LGBTQ representatives with all of them being Democrats. That being said, nine members is a very small portion of the 181 Texas house legislator pie and GOP lawmakers have already filed more than 90 bills targeting LGBTQ rights and representation. Some of the hot topics these bills cover include gender and sexuality education in schools, preventing trans women from participating in collegiate sports, and stopping trans people from accessing health care treatments. None of the current LGBTQ Texas House members identify as trans, but a total of eight openly trans state legislators now serve their states across the country. (Houston Public Media)
4. Financial director of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Jamie Huffar, 46, allegedly stole $1.6 million in public money to fund her own extravagant trips and plastic surgery modifications. Huffar currently faces five counts of embezzlement resulting in her current bond standing at $1,250,000. Prosecutors say the financial director stole money over the years using multiple methods including opening credit cards in the chamber's name, moving funds into her own personal accounts, and forging signatures to secure more money. Prosecutor Mike Levine said, "We think the grand total of her thefts is going to be well over a million dollars, and some parts of the investigation are still ongoing, but we’ve seen concrete, convincing evidence linking her to at least a million dollars in theft so far." (Chron)
5. M-K-T in the Heights will host a farmers' market where everything is completely free on Saturday, March 11. The market is being put on by Kind Snacks in response to a recent CDC report that nearly half of Texas children don't eat their vegetables. Worse yet, the report showed a rise in Texas children's consumption of sugary drinks. The market will host a number of fresh ingredients and vegetables for purchase at an astounding cost of zero. Interested Houstonians can check it out from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. Oh, and we'd recommend getting there early if you want the good stuff. (Houston Chronicle)

Headlines you need to see:

• Archdiocese clears Houston-area Catholics to eat meat next Friday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day during Lent (KTRK-TV)
• Car crashes into building hitting 2 podcasters inside Houston cafe (KHOU.com)
• Houston traffic: Good Samaritan killed in hit-and-run crash while helping driver change tire on I-610 North Loop, HPD says (KTRK-TV)
• 'Back where it belongs': Bun B's missing RodeoHouston poncho returned, rapper says (KPRC Click2Houston)
• H-E-B bans Texas woman after reportedly slapping an employee (Chron)

Today in Houston:

• Alice In Wonderland Immersive Cocktail Experience at Egret Bay Blvd Ste B (5:30 p.m.)
• Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Darkhorse Tavern (6:30 p.m.)
• Comedy: Rogelia Ramos En Español at Improv Houston (7:30 p.m.)
• Comedy: $2 Bill Comedy Show at The Secret Group (8 p.m.)
• Concert: Jon Pardi at the Houston Rodeo (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The "crown jewel of playgrounds" will finish construction in Farmers Branch, Texas this summer. The playground has been dubbed "Joya" (jewel in Spanish) and will be comprised of an 18,000 square-foot area filled with a 27-foot sphere with six levels of climbing, obstacle courses, ziplines, glow in the dark lights, and more. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
• The Houston Rodeo celebrated firefighters, EMS members, law enforcement, and other emergency services with First Responders Day this Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott said, "Our first responders represent the very best of who we are, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve their fellow Texans." (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
• You can now make returns at Target from the curbside comfort of your very own car. Better yet, some locations offer Starbucks service while you return your items. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)

Featured Doge:

Kronk is a 2-year-old German Shepherd available for adoption at the SPCA.

He enjoys running outside and is already well-trained.

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Featured events:

• Rosenberg Spring Market (March 10)
• Free Zoom meeting about Houston fibroid treatment! (March 18)
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That's it for this Wednesday. Now you're plugged into Houston. See you tomorrow for hopefully less government related news.