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Texas House Defeats Voucher Scam

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas House of Representatives in a bipartisan 84 to 63 vote defeated Governor Abbott’s voucher scam that would defund our public schools to subsidize private education for the wealthy few. 

Representatives Martinez Fischer, Talarico, and Hinojosa released the following statement:

“The People’s House has spoken. A bipartisan majority in the Texas House with unanimous Democratic support has defeated Governor Abbott’s voucher scam.

As if it wasn’t clear before, the Governor can no longer deny reality: Texans do not want voucher scams. Governor Abbott and his billionaire mega-donors have miscalculated the will of the people. 

We now call on Governor Abbott to support a clean school finance bill — one that fully funds our schools, gives our teachers the pay raise they deserve, and actually helps our kids.”

Texas House Democratic Caucus

2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year- Constable Kat Brown

Fred Brock Post 828 Hosts Veterans Day Ceremony, Honors Constable Kat Brown

SAN ANTONIO – Legionnaires, Veterans, family members, and elected officials gathered at Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828 to honor all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in support of Veterans Day.

Annually, Post 828 hosts a ceremony to honor those who served and are continuing to serve in the greatest military force in the world. This year, attendees heard welcoming remarks from Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr., and the keynote address by Precinct 4 Constable Kathryn Brown.

“Those of you who pour your time into efforts like The American Legion are exemplars of people who understand the mission to keep America working towards a more perfect union continues,” said Calvert.  “Thank you for recognizing our outstanding Constable Kathryn Brown. We have the greatest constable in America.”

Brown, who is the first Black female constable elected in Precinct 4, focused her remarks on accountability, service and being compassionate.

“There are no words to express how grateful I am to all our Veterans,” said Brown, a survivor of stage 1 Ovarian and stage 2 Breast Cancer.  “I am an accountable constable, I am an accountable lawman, and I am an accountable friend. That is who I am.”

According to Brown, it’s not always about protecting, but also providing service.

Post Commander Burrell Parmer presents Bexar County Precinct 4 Constable Kathryn Brown with the Post’s 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. Photo: Legionnaire Ezekiel Allen

“Thank you for all that you have done. Thank you for the sacrifice that you have made so that we can enjoy this beautiful thing called freedom. Thank you to all who serve and continue to serve this amazing and complex country, especially to the namesake of this Post, the late Sgt. Fred Brock,” said Brown.

After her remarks, Post Commander Burrell Parmer presented Brown with a plaque recognizing her as the Post’s 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

“The Post has not nominated a person for a national award in quite some time,” said Parmer. “I could not think of nobody else to nominate other than our constable. Not only was she our Post nominee but also for the 20th District, which comprises 18 American Legion Posts throughout Bexar County.”

In additional to receiving the award, Brown was presented with her 2023 – 2024 Fred Brock Auxiliary Unit No. 828 membership card by Auxiliary President Pamela Money.

Afterwards, Parmer acknowledged Legionnaires who assisted the Post by reaching a 2023 membership goal of 122% which was instrumental in the Post be awarding the Post Excellence Award.  Additionally, he honored Legionnaires Garnel Alford, Howard Ray (deceased) and Al Saunders (deceased), who all served as commanders of the 20th District.

Fred Brock Post No. 828’s mission is to enhance the well-being of San Antonio’s veterans, their families, the military, and the community by its devotion to mutual helpfulness. Visit www.fredbrockpost828.org to learn more.

By: Fred Brock Post No. 828

How Many People Actually Go Vote in Bexar County

Bexar County Voter Registration and Participation 2008- 2022

The final results, for the Joint Constitutional Amendments to be added to the state constitution, have been counted and voters approved thirteen of the fourteen amendments. The single disapproved amendment was Proposition 13, which would have raised the retirement age, for state justices and judges, from 75 to 79 years of age. 

We are now watching the early stages of various campaigns, for the 2024 Elections, from spring primaries to the fall general election, where voters will choose representatives, senators and the next president of the United States.

At basic levels, these contests will be decided by the number of registered voters who will choose to turn out and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. 

In Bexar County, we begin an examination of voter registrations and voter participation, to gauge how voter turnout might appear in 2024. 

Over the course of numerous elections, both midterm and general, between 2008 to 2022 voter registrations went from 931,128 to 1,230,662 persons registered to vote. Voter Turnout (actual votes cast), ranged from 525,715 to 540,768 persons who voted. 

Research shows the percentage of voters actually voting, in 2008, was 56.46% and the percentage, in 2022, was 43.94%.

In 2010, a midterm year, 905,859 voters were registered, with 304,062 votes being cast, at a rate of 33.57%.

2012, 918,552 persons were registered to vote and 511,411 voters cast votes, at 55.8%. 

2014, 957,119 voters were registered, 300,860 persons voted, at a rate of 31.43%.

2016, 1,045,537 voters were registered, but 586,051 persons voted, at a rate of 56.96%.

2018, 1,073,320 voters were registered, 551,073 voters voted, at a rate of 51%.

2020, there were 1,188,373 registered voters, while 756,039 persons voted, at a rate of 63.57%.

2022, a midterm election, 1,230,662 voters were registered and 540,768 persons went to the polls, at a rate of 43.94%.

General (Presidential) elections are held every four years, while midterm elections take place every two years.

Voters must now seize the opportunity to have a greater impact in every election, whether it’s the midterm or general election.

Find out if your voting Precinct has a Precinct Chair, which is generally an elected position within either party. This can lead to mobilization of community based organizations, neighbors and concerned citizens, all of whom have a stake in the outcome of future elections!

Make A Difference – VOTE! 

Business Owner Spotlight

San Antonio Business Owner Spotlight of the Week

Carmellea aka Carma is the owner of Good Carma Balloon Decor which provides beautiful, personalized decor for your next event.  Carma can work with any budget and has variations of designs to choose from. Carma is also a very sweet person while being very professional.  She is a Veteran, a wife, mother and friend and does her part in uplifting the community around her.  Carma will always bring a positive attitude, smile and high energy to the table! Contact Good Carma Balloon Decor at goodcarmaballoondecor@gmail.com OR visit goodcarmaballoondecor.com.

San Antonio ranks #35 for household expenses

San Antonio ranks #35 for household expenses; residents spend $2,012 on bills, cost of living 1.7% lower than the U.S. average

Doxo’s recently released report called: Which Largest U.S. Cities are Most Expensive for Household Bills in 2023? Featured in CNBC, the report found that for San Antonio:

  • The average household pays $2,012 a month, or $24,149 a year for the 10 most common household bills.
  • This makes San Antonio the #35 most expensive largest city (based on # of households) in the US.
  • The cost of living in San Antonio is 1.7% lower than the national average of $2,046, and 4.6% lower than the Texas state average of $2,110.
  • San Antonio households spend 40% of their income on household bills.

Below you will find an excerpt from the report:

Unlock the Power to Transform Lives: Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate Today

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Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) Advertorial  – Unlock the Power to Transform Lives: Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate Today.

Every child deserves a champion, someone who believes in them, stands by them, and speaks up for their best interests. In Bexar County, there are 4,209 children and teens experiencing foster care. Many are without a champion.

Child Advocates San Antonio’s mission is to change the lives of these children with the help of our corps of volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates. As children enter foster care, they need Advocates. There is no better time than now to consider volunteering for this critical need.

Why Become a Child Advocate?

For many children and teens, you will be the one constant individual in their life as they navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the foster care experience. Children in foster care feel afraid, isolated, and lost. As an Advocate you have the extraordinary opportunity to create a profound impact on their life. You will also experience the joy of getting to know a child who may not have anyone else.  Volunteers can come from all walks of life and be united in their shared commitment to making a difference.

The Journey to Becoming a Child Advocate

Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate begins with a passion for helping children. Advocates come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to the role.

Training and Swearing In

Child Advocates San Antonio will provide you with the essential knowledge, skills, and support you need to effectively fulfill your role. Your journey continues as you are sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This solemn oath reinforces your commitment to safeguarding the child’s best interests and making sure their voice is heard. You will be the steadfast Advocate the child depends on, with the authority to guide them towards a brighter future. The CASA team stands by your side, offering valuable expertise every step of the way.

Once you are sworn in and assigned a case, here’s how you’ll support:

  • School: Children in foster care often face educational hurdles. Help them overcome these obstacles, ensuring they receive the educational support they need.
  • Family: Be the bridge that strengthens these critical relationships with a child’s family, kin, and community. Provide recommendations to the court system that can help guide the creation of a stable and nurturing environment where a child can thrive.
  • Healthcare:  You’ll advocate for a child’s medical needs by collaborating with doctors, specialists, and mental healthcare professionals to ensure each child’s physical and mental health needs are addressed promptly and effectively
  • In Court: You’ll stand by these children in court, making sure that their best interests and wishes are presented to the judge, ensuring that all legal decisions are made with the fullest knowledge. You’ll elevate their voice when they need it the most, working closely with legal professionals, social workers, and other relevant parties to ensure that the child’s needs and desires are given the attention they deserve.

Getting started on your journey as an Advocate is easier than you might think.

Call us:  210-225-7070 or visit our website at www.casa-satx.org to sign up for an Information Session

Spurs Beat – “Pop Will Figure Things Out”

The Silver and Black Is a Talented Bunch That Cannot Figure Out How to Win, Spurs Now On Losing Streak

The Spurs come into this week at 3-7 after starting the season 3-2 following losses to the Knicks (126-105) in New York, and two home losses to Minnesota (117-110) and Miami (118-113). The current losing streak stands at five games. 

The loss to the Timberwolves was the Spurs first game in this season’s inaugural In-Season tournament. As a result of the loss the Spurs sit at 0-1 in group play. 

In Sunday night’s loss to the Heat, the Spurs were up by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and were up by 10 points with 6:45 left in the game. I don’t know any other way to say it but….this team has YET to figure out how to win. 

Last week I touched on just how atrocious the defense has been this year but that’s just one issue in a plethora of issues plaguing this year’s squad.

In looking at the seven losses, the Spurs are averaging four turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. They also averaged five team fouls in the fourth quarter of the seven losses. These two stats are extremely important in late game situations. So let’s put some context to it. Not only can you NOT stop ANYBODY because your defense is garbage, and when you do have a lead you give both the ball and points away by putting the other team on the line in crunch time situations. It’s understandable from that standpoint why you’re not winning games. 

This 2023-24 rendition of the Silver and Black is a talented bunch and definitely a work in progress. Eventually Pop will figure things out and all will be peaches and cream in Spurs land. Until then it’s going to be a long season. 

Upcoming Games:

– Tue, Nov 14 @ OKC (6-4) 6:30 pm TNT

(NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play)

– Fri, Nov 17 vs Sacramento (4-4) 6:30pm ESPN 

(NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play)

– Sat, Nov 18 vs Memphis (2-8) 7pm

– Mon, Nov 20 vs LA Clippers(3-6) 7pm

Inside The Community Input On Carver Library’s $12.5 Million Expansion

San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) Holds Public Input Meeting For Upcoming Renovation of Carver Library

On Wednesday November 8th, 2023, the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) held a public input meeting to gather feedback for the upcoming renovation and expansion project of the Carver Library. 

​This public input meeting was as a result of the record-breaking approval of the $12.5 million dollars during the passing of the 2022 Bond. The premise of the project is to rejuvenate, renovate, and bring about expansion to the original building, built in 1973. 

Representatives from the SAPL were present in addition to representatives from Alta Architecture, the architecture firm that will spearhead the expansion project.

​The meeting, which was scheduled from 6pm – 8pm, featured an interactive element where Alta Architecture brought several sample renderings with areas to write remarks. Members of the community sat at individual tables and were able to write down what they desired to see. 

In a recent press release, SAPL Director Ramiro Salazar stated,“Community input is vital to the success of this major renovation to the Carver Branch Library. We recognize the importance of library users and residents having a voice in the decision-making process for this important project… this meeting is a critical first step for creating a collective vision for an aspirational library building for our entire community in the heart of the east side.”

Several questions and concerns were addressed during the meeting such as: 1) how will the expansion impact current library operations? 2) how will the expansion impact the surrounding neighborhoods? 3) will new services be introduced to the library with this new expansion?, and many more. 

HISTORY OF THE CARVER LIBRARY

The Carver Library has been one of the long-standing cornerstones on the San Antonio East side. Originally founded by a group of African American Army Officers on Fort Sam Houston military base, the first home was a room at the end of the auditorium in the then Colored Cultural Center, now presently known as the Carver Cultural Center before finding a permanent home at 3350 East Commerce. 

The 10,770 square foot building was designed by African American architect Norcell Haywood. It should be noted that although the original building was helmed by an African American architect, the $12.5 million dollar expansion project is being managed by an architect firm with zero African American representation. It should also be noted that according to the Directory of African American Architects, there are currently seven African American architects in San Antonio.

Furthermore, the recording from the November 8th public input meeting is available on the San Antonio Public Library YouTube page. For more information and updates on future meetings, visit the City of San Antonio website at sa.gov.

School Vouchers Are Overwhelming, Abbott Keeps Pushing

Gov. Abbott Will Use All of His Power Until School Vouchers Are Passed While Charter Schools Are Showing Wait Lists

Hello SAISD Parents and San Antonio Community Members,

This week, the house once again had to go over SB1, which goes over public schools, charter schools, and ESA accounts, which is another way of saying school vouchers. Now, SB1 has passed one hurdle and moves on to the House Calendars Committee, who is responsible for routing bills to the floor for a total chamber vote. If it doesn’t go as our Governor wants it, he will call another special session until the school education savings accounts are passed. But know that we’re still in the 4th session reviewing this bill and others. It has been overwhelming work for both parties, and they are working together to stop this bill. The Governor warned if the “House removed the voucher component on the floor — something Democrats are already preparing to fight to do — the Senate would likely balk and he would veto it if it reached his desk anyway.” He said he’d keep calling them back into session until it passed because he knew everyone wanted to go home. He is using all of his powers to make this happen. Although we are exhausted, we are willing to keep fighting for our teachers, students, and public schools.

This week, I had the opportunity to attend an event that allowed parents to look into different charter schools that could meet their children’s needs. The event showcased twenty-two charter schools that all offered a variety of ways to meet your child’s educational needs. I also discovered that we have over 900 charter schools in Texas, each offering a top-notch education and a long waiting list. So, if we have all these charters schools why does our state need to pay for private schools? All we can do is wait and see what happens next.

Lastly, if anyone has any questions or concerns please email me at lena.lopez@saobserver.com.

Have a Blessed Week,
Lena Lopez

“Lift” – Kevin Hart’s ‘Action’ Role Debut | WATCH

Kevin Hart Set to Star in Netflix’s Upcoming Action Heist Film, “Lift”, Could This Mark A Shift in the Actor’s Career?

The trailer for a new, soon-to-be released Netflix movie starring Kevin Hart has just come out, but it might not be what you’d expect from the comedian/actor.

From F. Gary Gary, the director of “Friday” and “The Fate and the Furious,” comes “Lift,” which features Kevin Hart as the leader of an international heist team recruited by the FBI to steal 500 million dollars’ worth of gold from a plane while it is mid-flight, in order to prevent a terrorist attack. Just your average heist movie. The film was initially scheduled to come out in August, but was pushed back to its current January release as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strikes (which recently ended on Nov. 9). Based on the trailer, the movie seems like one of the more serious roles that Hart has taken on, and it could mark a potential turning point in his action film career.

As an actor, Kevin Hart is obviously most well-known for his comedy roles. I mean, it’s hard to imagine any movie with Hart in it that isn’t funny or that doesn’t position him as the center of comedic attention. His natural comical charisma effortlessly brings elements of humor to nearly every Hollywood project that he is a part of. However, over the past few years Hart has been trying to venture out of the comedy light, toward more serious roles allowing him to demonstrate the widened scope of his acting ability.

Hart stepped into dramatic roles in 2021 with the miniseries “True Story” and the film “Fatherhood” (both also backed by Netflix), where he exhibited his range as an actor, proving that he is capable of more than just being the funny guy all the time.

Hart has starred in several action films in the past, like “Ride Along” and “Central Intelligence,” and more recently “The Man From Toronto,” though he has typically been cast as the mild-mannered, sidekick character meant for channeling humor and prompting laughs. What makes “Lift” seem so unique to the rest of Hart’s career is that it places him as the central figure in an action film and not just as the sidekick meant for comedic relief. In the movie we’ll see a Kevin Hart that we’ve never seen before, conducting a heist at 40,000 feet in the air. Though, let’s face it, he’ll probably be cracking a few jokes along the way.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the trailer above and keep an eye out for “Lift” when it hits Netflix on Jan. 12.