Otto Mation

By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Tribune) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is maintaining his largely neutral stance on Texas’ “bathroom bill” as pressure picks up on him to weigh in on the legislation. “This is an alarming issue that is an obvious concern to a lot of Texans,” Abbott told The Texas Tribune on Thursday night while attending the Latino Inaugural Gala, an event celebrating Friday’s inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. “I think it’s very important that legislators have the opportunity to listen to the concerns of their fellow Texans and consider the right remedies for those concerns.” Abbott’s remarks came a day after House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, delivered a speech in which he expressed apprehension about the legislation and said Abbott’s opinion on it could make a “big difference.” The legislation, Senate Bill 6, would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex” and would pre-empt local nondiscrimination ordinances that allow transgender Texans to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called the bill one of his top priorities of the legislative session. When he was asked about the bill before it was released, Abbott took a wait-and-see approach, calling it a legitimate issue but saying more information was needed on it. He indicated Thursday night his posture toward legislation has not changed much in the two weeks since Patrick unveiled it alongside state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, the bill’s lead author. Pressed on the issue Thursday night, Abbott again emphasized that it is worthy of attention, especially after President Barack Obama created a “new paradigm” by issuing guidelines last year allowing for public schools to accommodate transgender students. “So you have parents of kids in schools who have legitimate concerns about this new situation that their children are put in that they’re going to have to address,” Abbott said. “Now, it may mean dealing with the administration in Washington, it may mean that we come up with some new laws, but what’s important is we find remedies that allay the concerns of these parents about the situation their children have been put in.” Abbott spoke with the Tribune as he left the gala, which was held by Trump’s National Hispanic Advisory Council. The event featured brief remarks from Abbott’s wife Cecilia, the first Hispanic first lady of Texas. “Mr. Trump’s message of economic opportunity, optimism and security really resonates with all Americans,” she said, “and the Trump Hispanic Advisory Council was instrumental in helping Mr. Trump get that message out to the Hispanic population.” Republicans have high hopes for Trump’s administration, and the Texas governor is no exception. He said he expects Trump to quickly issue executive orders aimed at Obama-era measures, and he is looking forward to swift action on a repeal of Obama’s Affordable Care Act. On border security, Abbott said he expects “stiffer enforcement” from the Trump administration, as well as some kind of fulfillment of Trump’s signature campaign promise to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. “Because of the fencing that already exists, they can go into those areas that they already occupy and be able to build wall or build fencing or build whatever type of barrier that could stave off” illegal crossings, Abbott said. “But the real thing they could do immediately is really just an attitude change … where the Trump administration will say, ‘No more will we allow people in illegally.’” Aside from SB 6, lawmakers in Austin are currently focused on the budget, with the two chambers releasing their versions Tuesday. The state’s cash crunch has some lawmakers raising the prospect that they will need to turn to Texas’ Rainy Day Fund to plug holes in the budget. Asked what advice he has for lawmakers on the Rainy Day Fund this session, Abbott hinted it could come in his State of the State address, which is scheduled for Jan. 31. “Stay tuned,” he said. “I’ll speak more about the budget in my State of the State. Let me not give away too many secrets right now.” He noted that he has laid out criteria, both as a gubernatorial candidate and during last session, for when lawmakers should turn to the fund. Abbott has proposed tapping the fund only for the purposes of “meeting unforeseen shortfalls in revenue, reducing existing debt, one-time infrastructure payments and expenses related to state disasters.” “I’m going to stick to that,” Abbott said. For Abbott, the inauguration marks the beginning of the second half of his gubernatorial term. Talk of the 2018 races is already heating up in Austin, where Patrick recently held a news conference to try to finally quell speculation he wants to challenge Abbott. Earlier this week, Abbott’s campaign disclosed having $34.4 million in the bank, a massive stockpile for a re-election bid. Asked Thursday if he is expecting any challengers for re-election, Abbott invoked the freak accident that left him partially paralyzed at age 26. “As a guy who’s in a wheelchair because a tree fell on him while he was jogging, my attitude is you never know when a tree’s going to fall on you,” Abbott said. “So be prepared for whatever may come, and I’ll be prepared.” As for his message to voters in 2018, Abbott suggested he would again focus on building GOP support in minority communities. “I believe that the Republican Party stands for the principles and ideas of the people who are in this room, which is the Hispanic community, of the African-American community, of the Asian community,” Abbott said. “One of my goals during the next campaign cycle is to make sure that the values of the Republican Party connect with the values of every single group in the state of Texas.” This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/19/bathroom-bill-abbott-still-sees-issue-concerning-m/. The post On “bathroom bill,” Greg Abbott staying neutral as pressure builds appeared first on Covering Katy News. View the full article

Move Designed to Head Off Future Problems WASHINGTON (AaronLayman.com) – Well that didn’t take long! The proposed FHA premium reduction has been halted by the Trump administration. Mortgageee Letter 2017-07 was issued within hours of Mr. Trump being sworn into office. The scheduled 25-basis point premium cut was slated to take effect January 27, a parting gift of the outgoing administration. The FHA premium reduction appeared ill-timed and more of a knee-jerk reaction to the recent spike in rates. Of course the housing industry is never one to waste an opportunity to juice sales, so many mortgage loan officers had cheered the news. The Mortgage Bankers Association was quick to respond to the news, reaching out to the new administration. I can see both sides of this argument, but the unfortunate truth is that the FHA premium reduction was indeed ill-timed, particularly when we are already dealing with an echo-bubble in housing. FHA loans have been getting more risky, not less, because the inflated nature of house prices across the country puts more marginal borrowers at risk of being upside down on their home. Any rational real estate practitioner should be able to understand this basic point. When house prices are outpacing incomes, the solution is not to inflate the price of homes even further. This is part of the problem with FHA loans, which have been loosening their restrictions, attempting to keep borrowers within reach of inflated home prices. This piece from summer of 2016 explains the giddiness of the housing gurus, as FHA loans were getting approved at increasing rates even before the premium reduction was proposed. This would suggest that premium reductions were not needed. What is concerning is the fact that FHA only requires a 3 and a half percent down payment to begin with. FHA rates are often lower than those for conventional buyers putting 20% down because of the government subsidy, and applicants only need a 580 credit score to qualify. When things go south, and they eventually will, taxpayers will be on the hook for the losses when those marginal borrowers default on the loans. The FHA program received a $1.7 billion injection (aka bailout) back in 2013, a lingering result of the last housing collapse. The FHA previously cut premiums back in 2015, sparking a big jump in the share of FHA-backed loans. The share of FHA loans is still hovering above longer-term averages. Not surprisingly, the 2015 premium reduction also spurred home price increases, thereby reducing home affordability and the stated objective of the premium reductions. I welcome the halt to the FHA premium cut. I think it was a poorly-timed gimmick. The FHA program is already stretching “affordability” too far and inflating the prices of homes. It will be interesting to see if the new administration is equally concerned about another problem plaguing the U.S. housing market, that of money laundering by foreign nationals into U.S. homes. This is another big problem with artificial house price inflation, one that will likely to continue be hidden from the public view. The post Layman’s Analysis: FHA Premium Cut Halted by Trump appeared first on Covering Katy News. View the full article

By Abby Livingston, The Texas Tribune OXON HILL, Md. (Texas Tribune) — An estimated 12,000 people adorned in cowboy hats, boots, furs, formal wear and an occasional “Make America Great Again” ballcap contributed to a jovial scene at the Texas State Society’s Black Tie and Boots Ball, just outside of the city limits of Washington, D.C., on Thursday night. For the largest red state in the country, there was reason to celebrate on the eve of a Republican takeover of the White House. “Ladies and gentlemen, I promise you that in a Donald Trump administration, there will be no bullshit,” said former Texas Tech basketball coach Bobby Knight from the stage. The Texas State Society president, U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, concurred: “Does he need to repeat that?” But mostly, members of the Texas delegation on the scene were careful to take a bipartisan tone. “Any time there’s a peaceful transfer of power, it’s good,” said a smiling U.S. Rep. Randy Weber of Friendswood. Weber, like many in attendance, sported a felt black cowboy hat with his tuxedo. Many of his colleagues and statewide officials were also at the ball: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Reps. Joe Barton of Ennis, Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi, Bill Flores of Bryan, Louie Gohmert of Tyler and Kenny Marchant of Coppell. U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, poses for a photo with the Lil’ Wranglers of College Station at the Black Tie and Boots Ball.Allison Shelley for the Texas TribuneDemocratic members were scarce, but U.S. Rep. Gene Green of Houston attended the ball with his wife. They said it was their sixth Black Tie and Boots Ball, and Green empathized with Williams’ logistical tasks for the night — Green served as president of the society during President Obama’s 2013 second inauguration. “Four years ago, I was in Roger Williams’ place, and I’m glad he’s doing it this year,” Green said. The Beach Boys were the headline entertainment, performing hits like “Surfer Girl,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Be True to Your School,” “Little Deuce Coupe” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” Flores said the iconic band was emblematic of a country coming together after a divisive election. “There’s a new sense of optimism in the country, and so the songs they sang bring back the optimistic attitude Americans used to have.” This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/19/texans-celebrate-trump-black-tie-and-boots-ball/. The post Texans celebrate Trump at Black Tie and Boots Ball appeared first on Covering Katy News. View the full article

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/278/31605061092_80ebaf57d2_m.jpg View the full article

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: Houston. City Hall. View the full article

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elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: Discovery Green View the full article

Chris Olbekson has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

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houstonmacbro has added a photo to the pool: GRB shot from Discovery Green. View the full article

houstonmacbro has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

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✈ concord⁹⁷⁷ has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park, a unique museum complex showcasing the diverse history of the Houston region. St. John Church was moved from its original site on Mangum Road to Sam Houston Park in 1968. View the full article

meltedplastic has added a photo to the pool: Magic Island was a restaurant in Houston, Texas that featured a magic show and dinner at a high price. It closed after Hurricane Katrina and has never reopened since. Locked up pretty well, it has suffered ok against time, looters, and the elements. It has some holes in the roof, there has been a fire, and it has no electricity. With the permission of the people in charge of the property I was allowed to go through and photograph it before it is lost for all time. Most of these photos are either close up with a flash or I painted with my flashlight while the camera was on a tripod. There are disco balls, sarcophagi, a theater and a steam punk elevator. I had never been there before and it was interesting to go from room to room and have no idea what I would see next. View the full article

meltedplastic has added a photo to the pool: Magic Island was a restaurant in Houston, Texas that featured a magic show and dinner at a high price. It closed after Hurricane Katrina and has never reopened since. Locked up pretty well, it has suffered ok against time, looters, and the elements. It has some holes in the roof, there has been a fire, and it has no electricity. With the permission of the people in charge of the property I was allowed to go through and photograph it before it is lost for all time. Most of these photos are either close up with a flash or I painted with my flashlight while the camera was on a tripod. There are disco balls, sarcophagi, a theater and a steam punk elevator. I had never been there before and it was interesting to go from room to room and have no idea what I would see next. View the full article

atcbrayne has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

Patrick Feller has added a photo to the pool: While the church is 130 years old, the white domed stuccoed sanctuary was designed by architect Frederick Booker. A fire in 1994 resulted in the roof being replaced with the current geodesic dome. View the full article

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

MCMXVII has added a photo to the pool: View the full article

techman37 has added a photo to the pool: A late night shot over a month ago after a light rain fall. Houston really needs the rain to wash out the ton of pollution in the air View the full article

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: View the full article