Gov. Greg Abbott takes fresh aim at local officials’ ability to raise property taxes By Peggy Fikac January 16, 2018 Updated: January 16, 2018 5:27pm Photo: Rose Baca, Staff Photographer / Staff Photographer Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the media to announce the grant funding for rifle resistant vests for Texas police officers at Dallas Police Association Headquarters in Dallas on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. The police officers ambushed in Dallas by a gunman during a 2016 racial equality march were wearing bulletproof vests, but they weren't strong enough to resist rifle fire. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the media to announce the grant... AUSTIN - Gov. Greg Abbott put local property taxes front-and-center in his campaign for re-election Tuesday, proposing to sharply restrict how much cities, counties and school districts can raise from local residents to pay for services. … [Read more...] about Gov. Greg Abbott takes fresh aim at local officials’ ability to raise property taxes
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants to limit local jurisdictions’ ability to raise Texans’ taxes
This is a developing story and will be updated. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will ask the Legislature to cap the annual revenue growth of cities, school districts, counties and other local taxing jurisdictions at 2.5 percent. It's part of a 33-page property tax reform plan that Abbott is scheduled to unveil Tuesday in Houston and Arlington. "With the skyrocketing rise in property taxes, more and more Texans face the risk of being forced out of the homes they have lived in for decades," Abbott said in a news release. "Young families who are just starting out are having trouble affording their first home and businesses are unable to grow and hire more workers. Enough is enough." Abbott, who this year is running for a second term as governor, has long made property tax relief a top agenda item. But the Republican-controlled Legislature has not been able to pass such measures because of concerns about curbing local control and hamstringing local officials who need to fix potholes, provide … [Read more...] about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants to limit local jurisdictions’ ability to raise Texans’ taxes
Five top local spots for wood-fired pizza
As wood-fired pizza becomes more common, here's some uncommon examples to try in the Buffalo area. Most can be described as Neapolitan-style, baked in seconds or a few minutes in a blisteringly hot oven before making it to your table. Crispy edged and often floppy in the middle, these are only distantly related to the thick, cheese-quilted Buffalo-style pizzas. Margherita with buffalo mozzarella at Jay's Artisan Pizzeria. (Andrew Galarneau/Buffalo News) Jay's Artisan Pizzeria, 2872 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, 322-1704 The owner's search for Neapolitan-style perfection started in the OG Wood Fire truck before making it into a Kenmore restaurant. A dozen pizzas ($10-$16), a salad and charcuterie are all that's available, along with a brief wine and beer list. Since the place offers the best Neapolitan-style pies in town, it's enough. Squash is celebrated in this seasonal pizza from Grange Community Kitchen. (Andrew Galarneau/Buffalo News) Grange Community Kitchen, 22 Main St., … [Read more...] about Five top local spots for wood-fired pizza
Local animal shelter trades cats for coats (or pet food) in week-long promotion
A local pet shelter, overflowing with homeless cats, is offering a free feline to anyone who donates pet food or an adult winter coat during the coming week. The Humane League of Lancaster County and the Humane Society of Berks County — which partner under the umbrella of Humane Pennsylvania — announced the deal on Monday. The offer runs from today through Jan. 23. Donated coats will be given to Berks Connections Pretrial Services, an organization that provides services and re-entry programming for inmates and returning citizens, as well as services for their children and loved ones. Men's winter gear (coats, hats & gloves) is greatly needed, but women's attire is needed too. The donated food will be used to feed animals at the two shelters and for AniMeals, Humane Pennsylvania's pet food bank program. Donations can be taken to the shelters at 2195 East Lincoln Highway in Lancaster and at 1801 N. 11th Street in Reading. Shelters are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. … [Read more...] about Local animal shelter trades cats for coats (or pet food) in week-long promotion
Local chefs share secrets at monthly hands-on cooking classes
Standing before more than 25 students at William Penn High School last Thursday night, Chef Bill Hoffman, sporting a backward baseball cap with the words "Eat More Foie," was eager to start his cooking class.Hoffman, the enthusiastic, fast-talking executive chef and co-owner of The House of William and Merry, said he seldom steps away from the stove at his popular Hockessin restaurant. Especially on a busy night."I never get a chance to get out of my kitchen," he tells students, a collection of adults, many whom are also loyal customers at the 1336 Old Lancaster Pike eatery Hoffman and his wife, Merry Catanuto, have run since 2011."Let's start cooking and let's start learning."The topic tonight is soups and the crowd, huddled like a rugby scrum, is here to watch, and help, Hoffman cook.After listening to instructions from Hoffman, they'll don aprons, break into groups and then chop and measure ingredients at a … [Read more...] about Local chefs share secrets at monthly hands-on cooking classes