MEMORIAL DAY 2010
I hope that you and your family had a very safe restful and happy Memorial Day holiday. The meaning of this day is solemn. It is made even more meaningful when we realize that the ultimate sacrifice given by our men and women in uniform allows us the opportunity to live free and peaceful lives and to enjoy the time with our families. It is a cruel irony that because of the sacrifice given those bravest among us will never get to experience another Memorial Day with their families.
We should never forget the sacrifice made by our men and women in uniform from across Texas and the United States.
Florence Focuses On...
The Safety of Texas Children
Why Texas needs to ban K2 a little known synthetic drug that is legal unregulated and harming our youth
In recent weeks publications such as Newsweek and MSNBC.com and a series of articles in The Dallas Morning News have called attention to a little known but dangerous substance called K2. It is being used by large numbers of people with wide-ranging outcomes some of which include breathing difficulties hallucinations and seizures. K2 is an herbal incense laced with a synthetic chemical substance similar to THC (the main psychoactive substance found in marijuana). Currently K2 and similar products with names such as Spice Fire and Ice and Genie are unregulated and being sold legally across Texas. K2 and its chemical cousins should not be sold in stores online or made available on the streets.
This herbal incense in name only is having detrimental effects on the people using it (a large number of whom are under 18). While K2 and other chemically-related substances are being sold like bubble gum at a variety of stores across the state and online unlike bubble gum the risks associated with its use are high. Smoked and inhaled K2 is leading to a wide range of health complications and concerns known and unknown.
Much has been made of the health and safety risks associated with K2 by constituents city officials and law enforcement in North Texas. This substance is not just a problem in my district; it is affecting communities large and small here in Texas and across America. K2 has already been banned by the U.S. Army. Twelve states across America have banned it or are currently considering legislation to do just that. Texas has an opportunity to step up and do whats right. It is my intention to do so with legislation in January to ban this substance across Texas.
News From Texas Department of Public Safety
From May 24 to June 6 the Texas Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers across the state are participating in the ninth Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization.
This years Click It or Ticket campaign reminds drivers and passengers that no matter how old you are or where in the vehicle you are sitting you must buckle up said Texas Highway Patrol Assistant Director David Baker. Backseat passengers no longer have an excuse for not wearing a safety belt and we will be issuing tickets to those who are not complying with the law.
As of Sept. 1 2009 state law has required everyone in a vehicle to be secured by a safety belt. (The previous law exempted anyone 17 and older from wearing a safety belt in the back seat.) Also children younger than 8 years old must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Since last September the Texas Highway Patrol has been issuing warnings to drivers who dont buckle up children younger than 8 in a child safety seat or booster seat. Beginning June 1 officers can ticket parents who do not secure their children in child safety seats or booster seats as required by law. Fines for noncompliance range from $25 to $250 plus court costs.
When you buckle up in the back seat you are 44 percent more likely to survive a crash than if you do not wear a safety belt. If youre riding in the back of a passenger van or SUV you are 73 percent more likely to survive a crash if youre wearing a safety belt.
For more information on properly installing child safety seat systems please click here
EDUCATION CORNER
Senator touring J. Erik Jonsson Community School (Dallas)
Senator Shapiro toured J. Erik Jonsson Community School in Dallas where Reasoning Mind (RM) a web-based math program is in use.
Reasoning Minds mission is to provide a first-rate math education to every child. RM offers an engaging online community that develops students math knowledge and thinking skills RM also helps schools and parents bring the program to their children.
The Senator had a productive visit and was particularly encouraged to hear that the school had an impressive 98 pass rate on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test with 72 of students receiving a rating of commended.
NEW JOBS IN THE DISTRICT
Healthcare Plus Supplies Inc. Secures $2.1 million Texas CAPCO funding from Advantage Capital
Expansion brings new jobs to Dallas
DALLAS May 12 2010 -- Advantage Capital Partners a leading venture capital and small business finance firm has provided $2.1 million in financing to Healthcare Plus Supplies Inc. a newly formed durable medical equipment (DME) supplier that will provide quality products and services to local hospices and their patients.
The funding raised in connection with the Texas Certified Capital Company (CAPCO) program will allow the company to create 17 jobs in the Dallas area and purchase the necessary equipment to proceed with expansion plans. Further growth is expected in the coming months with the addition of two warehouses in Terrell and Greenville....
The Texas CAPCO program is a public-private partnership that is good for the state and good for businesses like Healthcare Plus Supplies that will create jobs here in Texas said State Senator Florence Shapiro (District 8). Im pleased to see the CAPCO program working in my district.
Healthcare Plus Supplies was established in 2009...After outsourcing the DME needs for their hospice companies for the past four years the owners decided to open and operate their own DME company and become the exclusive provider to Hospice Plus...In the future the company anticipates serving the needs of additional healthcare customers including nursing home patients and assisted living patients.
Advantage Capitals investment in Healthcare Plus Supplies was made in connection with the Texas Certified Capital Company program which encourages the flow of investment capital to promising companies located in the state. The companies in turn develop innovative technologies and services create jobs and increase economic activity throughout their communities.
About the Certified Capital Company program
Advantage Capital Partners is a leading participant in the Certified Capital Company (CAPCO) program a state economic development tool designed to strengthen state economies by stimulating the flow of investment capital to local small businesses creating high-paying jobs and increasing state tax revenues.
In Texas the state Comptroller of Public Accounts implements and administers the CAPCO program through the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. The CAPCO program supports economic development and generates tax revenues for the state through business growth and job creation. The latest report from the Texas Comptroller shows a thriving CAPCO program in Texas with the participating CAPCOs having invested more than $86 million and enabling the retention of 958 jobs and the creation of 690 jobs.
For more information on the Texas CAPCO program visit online
SENATOR SHAPIROS DISTRICT STAR AWARD
Childrens Chorus of Collin County
The Childrens Chorus of Collin County began in January 2007 with a very special group of talented and unique childrens voices who wanted to make a difference by contributing their music to the cities where they lived. The Childrens Chorus of Collin County is situated in one of the fastest growing ever-changing counties in North Texas. The Chorus is now comprised of over sixty members and growing stronger in number and reputation each day! The Chorus is an auditioned group of boys and girls currently fourth through eighth grade who exhibit superior musical and vocal skills enthusiasm for choral performance and a strong desire to be a part of a growing group of talented youth.
This very talented group will be performing live in the Capitol rotunda at noon on Monday June 7th. Any constituents who will be at the Capitol that day and other visitors from across Texas and beyond will be able to hear this extraordinary Choir perform.
Parents who want to learn more about the Choir should click here.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN TEXAS
Senator speaking at the TX Cultural Trust Women for the Arts Annual Meeting (Spring 2010)
Points made during her appearance:
- By 2016 1 in 12 jobs in Texas will be creative industry jobs
- Between 2006 and 2016 creative sector employment is projected to increase by more than 22 or 140000 net new jobs Source: Report commissioned by the Texas Cultural Trust as part of TCTs Create Texas campaign
- During the 81st Senator Shapiro amended House Bill 3--the public school accountability bill--to include a requirement that every student must earn one fine arts credit before he or she can graduate
- Now students are taking a course in the fine arts in grades six seven and eight--this new requirement is a victory for TX
- According to reports by the College Entrance Examination Board in 2005 SAT takers with coursework/experience in music performance scored 56 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 39 points higher on the math portion than students with no coursework or experience in the arts
- Additionally scores for those with coursework in music appreciation were 60 points higher on the verbal and 39 points higher on the math portion
IN COMMITTEE
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security Member
Tuesday June 8 2010--10:00 a.m.
Panhandle Conference Center Amarillo
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Senate Committee on Finance Member
Wednesday June 9 2010--10:00 a.m.
State Capitol Austin
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Senate Committee on Education Chair
Wednesday June 16 2010--10:00 a.m.
State Capitol Austin
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Region C Water Planing Meeting Co-Chair
Monday June 21 2010--11:45 a.m.
Region 8 Education Services Center Mt. Pleasant
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Senate Committee on Finance Member
Wednesday June 23 2010--10:00 a.m.
State Capitol Austin
