Archive for the ‘Government’ Category

Usually those of us that participate in early voting have no problem walking in and quickly getting the task done; however, today, there were record numbers of voters lining up even before the doors opened at 8a and continued to have waiting lines throughout the day. Shortly before 4 p.m., 28,217 votes had been recorded at early voting sites.

It appears this may be a banner year for voter participation.

What does this mean to you?

Get out and VOTE EARLY!

With these type of record numbers this early in the election process, Election Day looks to have heavy lines. If you vote early you can go to any of the early voting locations but if you wait until Election Day you can ONLY vote at your assigned precinct location.

Before election day, PLEASE go to http://www.dalcoelections.org to check and see where your polling place is

Voting early is quick and easy and runs from October 20th through October 31st. Voters who are registered in Dallas County can vote at any of the 26 early voting locations.

Click here to find the early voting locations along with hours.

Most of us use them per course: When we grab groceries at the local market, buy stuff at Target, whatever.

But the Dallas City Council will today begin considering a law banning single-use plastic bags within city limits, with staff arguing that such a prohibition would have “significant
environmental benefits.”

City staff is slated to this afternoon recommend to the council’s transportation and environment committee a timeline that includes a complete single-use plastic bag ban within a three- to five-year period.

In the meantime, staff is suggesting creating a program with area retailers to “set up collection bins to take back plastic bags for recycling” and “offer consumers the option of purchasing reusable shopping bags.”

Dallas City Hall itself, meanwhile, would “initiate public outreach and education campaign promoting the benefits of choosing reusable cloth bags over plastic or paper options.”

Wondering if there’s precedent for such a move? Yes, yes, and even locally, yes.

The Angelika Dallas at Mockingbird Station offers viewers the option to see HEROES on the big screen with other fans! This takes place FREE every Monday night at 8p.

~AND~

Calling all politicos! Watch the Presidential debates LIVE at the Angelika FREE!
Bring your friends to watch the debates on the Big Screen. Seating will begin at 7 pm, debate starts at 8 pm. Cash bar available.

First come, first served ~ Please arrive early!

If you need to register to vote or update your information, today is the last day to have your voter registration info postmarked.

You can print out the forms here and drop them off for pick up at your local Post Office — just make sure you get them in before the last pick up today!

Early voting begins October 20 and continues through the end of the month.

You can also choose to vote early by mail, but only if you will be outside your home county on Election Day and during early voting.

There are, however, some exceptions. You also qualify to vote by mail if you are:

• sick or disabled
• 65 years or older
• in jail but eligible to vote

Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received by Oct. 28.

Las Vegas school officials could be in Dallas recruiting as early as next week.

Between the two cities, the school district issues couldn’t be more different. While DISD has too many teachers, Las Vegas doesn’t have enough. And why does DISD have too many teachers? Because DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has somehow managed to run the district almost $84 MILLION over budget this year….and the school year just began a few weeks ago.

And for those teachers looking into the idea of making the move, the choice has both its positives and negatives.

As DISD officials continued to crunch numbers in Dallas, Trustee Ron Price traveled to Clark County in Nevada to learn about one number in particular, 400. That number is about how many job openings the school district there has for teachers.

Clark County’s school district is twice the size of Dallas, and has more than 300,000 students and 18,000 teachers. Its urban setting and diverse student body could make for a smooth transition.

But, will their paycheck feel the pinch?

The starting salary for a new teacher in DISD is just more than $44,000. But depending on education and experience, one could make up to $81,000 dollars.

Calculating the cost of living, Dallas teachers making $44,000 would have to make more than $52,000 in Vegas to maintain the same lifestyle.

The biggest expense would be housing, which on average is 80 percent higher. And while groceries run about 6 percent more a year, teachers could expect to save a bit on utilities.

But in Clark County, teacher salaries start at $35,000, which is $9,000 less than Dallas and a difference of about $16,000 when the cost of living is considered.

Clark County officials say their putting ads in this Sunday’s newspapers in Dallas to reach out to potential employees.

Information related to job fair is expected to be available after Thursday’s layoff vote.

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott said the state will consider whether to take action based on the outcome of Thursday’s Dallas Independent School District school board meeting. There is the possibility that the State will step in and take over DISD.

During the past two Presidential elections, Dallas-based 7-Eleven has offered it’s coffee drinking customers a way to let their opinions be known. Choose a red cup, and you’re pro-McCain. Blue and you’re pro-Obama.

The promotional campaign kicks off this Wednesday (1 Oct 08) and runs through Election Day.

Is there any validity to this casual poll? Take a look at the results from the past two elections:

2000 election
Presidential candidate // U.S. voters // 7-Election voters
George W. Bush // 47.9% // 51.2%
Al Gore // 48.4% // 48.9%

2004 election
George W. Bush // 50.7% // 51 %
John Kerry // 48.3% // 49%