July 27, 2017 - Mark your calendars for this year's sales tax holiday on August 11th-13th.  The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks which are priced under $100 from sales and use taxes.

The law also allows layaway purchases of these items to qualify for the sales tax exemption.  All sellers in the state are required to honor the sales tax holiday, so it's a great time to get prepared for the upcoming school year while saving some money in the process.

July 26, 2017 Texas - The Texas Department of State Health Services and Hidalgo County Health and Human Services have determined a Hidalgo County resident who previously had a Zika infection was most likely infected in Texas. Because the individual has not recently traveled outside the area or had any other risk factors, the infection was probably transmitted by a mosquito bite in South Texas sometime in the last few months. Laboratory testing shows the individual is no longer at risk of spreading the virus to mosquitoes.

July 25, 2017 - When our 150 state representatives and 31 senators arrive in Austin on the second Tuesday of January each odd numbered year, everyone knows that there is an incredible amount of work to be done in only 140 days. Now that we are through those long, hectic days I want to make certain that you are aware of legislation that has, or will in very short order, become law. This column will focus on legislation that was passed specifically to solve issues in East Texas.

"Don’t carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them" (Proverbs 14:16 TEV)