States, Cities and Counties
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents covering state government, cities and counties.
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Virginia Education Superintendent Issues Memo on Local Gifted Education Technical Review Process
RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 23 -- Virginia Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction James F. Lane issued the following memo:
DATE: August 23, 2019
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: James F. Lane, Ed.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Local Gifted Education Technical Review Process
The Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students require that local school boards must approve their divisions' local plans for the education of gifted students. Upon approval, the school board must submit a copy of its plan to the Virginia Department of Education
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RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 23 -- Virginia Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction James F. Lane issued the following memo:
DATE: August 23, 2019
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: James F. Lane, Ed.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Local Gifted Education Technical Review Process
The Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students require that local school boards must approve their divisions' local plans for the education of gifted students. Upon approval, the school board must submit a copy of its plan to the Virginia Department of Education(VDOE) for technical review on a schedule determined by the VDOE (Attachment A). Initially announced in Superintendent's Memo #178-10, this technical review scheduled for 2019 will involve school divisions in Regions V (West) and VI and will be conducted by peer review teams comprised of individuals from these two regions. The Regions have been slightly modified to accommodate the technical review process. Local gifted plans for school divisions from these regions are due to the VDOE specialist for gifted education by September 27, 2019.
As a one-day professional development opportunity, gifted education coordinators and other school administrators in the school divisions are encouraged to participate in the technical review process. School divisions scheduled for technical review of their local gifted plans in 2019 are encouraged to send at least three individuals with a gifted education background to the technical review process to serve as review team members. In addition, division superintendents are encouraged to support their personnel who are members of the Virginia Advisory Committee for the Education of Gifted Students (VACEG), Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG) governing board, and the Virginia Gifted Educators Consortium governing board in assisting with the technical review process. Technical reviews will be scheduled at a central location within the boundaries of the Regions under review. No travel or monetary compensation will be provided by the VDOE. Since the one-day review process will require team members' services through the lunch hour, the VDOE will provide lunch. The VDOE will work with the gifted education regional leaders for Region V (West) and Region VI to obtain review team members' information for this year's technical review and to coordinate the technical review event.
For further information, please contact Dr. Donna L. Poland, Specialist for Governor's Schools and Gifted Education, Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, by email at Donna.Poland@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-2884.
JFL/DLP/dr
Attachment A: Local Plan Submission Schedule to the Virginia Department of Education (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2019/202-19a.docx)
Texas Gov. Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration in Response to Drought Conditions in South Texas
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 23 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a State Disaster Declaration for seven counties in South Texas currently experiencing severe drought conditions resulting in an increased threat of wildfire. Governor Abbott has authorized the use of all available resources of state government and political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to address the situation.
"The state of Texas will do whatever is necessary to ensure local officials have the resources they need to respond to these drought conditions," said
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AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 23 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a State Disaster Declaration for seven counties in South Texas currently experiencing severe drought conditions resulting in an increased threat of wildfire. Governor Abbott has authorized the use of all available resources of state government and political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to address the situation.
"The state of Texas will do whatever is necessary to ensure local officials have the resources they need to respond to these drought conditions," saidGovernor Abbott. "I urge all Texans living in these counties to take necessary precautions and follow the guidance of local officials."
The disaster declaration will suspend any regulation or law that would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in responding to this disaster. The declaration also suspends any law that would impede a state agency's emergency response deemed necessary to protect life or property.
The counties included in the disaster declaration are Duval, Hall, Jim Hogg, Randall, Swisher, Webb, and Zapata.
Teacher Salary Increase Signed Into Law Today With Illinois State Sen. Crowe's Support
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon:
Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.
"We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives," Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. "Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we're not paying them a respectable
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon:
Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.
"We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives," Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. "Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we're not paying them a respectablewage?"
Under House Bill 2078, the state would update the minimum mandated salary for teachers annually over four years, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. After that, subject to review by the General Assembly, it would be increased according to the Consumer Price Index. The phase-in would look like this under the proposal:
- -$32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year;
- -$34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year;
- -$37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year; and
- -$40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year;
Illinois has not updated its minimum teacher salary since 1980. Since that time, state statute has mandated that Illinois school districts pay teachers with a bachelor's degree a minimum of only $10,000.
The measure will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
North Carolina A.G. Stein Sues the EPA Over the Dirty Power Rule
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Aug. 23 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release:
Attorney General Josh Stein today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its Affordable Clean Energy (ACE), or Dirty Power, rule. Attorney General Stein is part of a coalition of 29 states and cities arguing that the Dirty Power rule, which replaced the Clean Power Plan, violates the Clean Air Act and promotes dirty, expensive coal power instead of clean energy.
"The Clean Power Plan is essential to addressing the climate change crisis and beneficial
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Aug. 23 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release:
Attorney General Josh Stein today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its Affordable Clean Energy (ACE), or Dirty Power, rule. Attorney General Stein is part of a coalition of 29 states and cities arguing that the Dirty Power rule, which replaced the Clean Power Plan, violates the Clean Air Act and promotes dirty, expensive coal power instead of clean energy.
"The Clean Power Plan is essential to addressing the climate change crisis and beneficialfor our economy and health," said Attorney General Josh Stein. "The Trump administration's replacement rule does nothing to address this crisis or protect us, and it violates the Clean Air Act in the process.The Dirty Power rule is exactly the wrong policy at exactly the wrong time. I'm committed to using my authority to uphold the law and protect our environment."
In June, the Trump administration repealed the Clean Power Plan, the first nationwide emission limits on existing fossil fuel-burning power plants. The International Energy Agency estimates that the U.S. power sector needs to reduce pollution by 74 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 for the U.S. to achieve the goal of limiting worldwide temperature increase to less than 2 degrees Celsius. Its replacement, the Dirty Power rule, barely mentions climate change or recognizes the threat to people's health, the economy, and the environment, and would only result in a one percent decrease in pollution. By the EPA's own estimates, the Dirty Power rule would contribute to a projected overall pollution decrease of 35 percent - far short of the 74 percent target.
Furthermore, the coalition argues that the rule disregards requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act requires that limits on air pollutants, such as greenhouse gases, must be based on the emissions reductions achievable through the "best system of emission reduction." However, the Dirty Power rule rules out shifting from coal-fueled generation to less carbon-intensive generation, which is the most cost-effective, proven, and successful approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The rule also prohibits states from participating in cap-and-trade programs that would help them comply with the Clean Air Act.
Attorney General Stein is committed to combating the crisis of climate change. More on his work to protect the environment:
* Attorney General Josh Stein Criticizes Clean Power Plan Repeal (https://www.ncdoj.gov/News-and-Alerts/News-Releases-and-Advisories/Attorney-General-Josh-Stein-Criticizes-Clean-Power.aspx)
* Attorney General Josh Stein Defends the Clean Power Plan (https://www.ncdoj.gov/News-and-Alerts/News-Releases-and-Advisories/Attorney-General-Josh-Stein-Defends-the-Clean-Powe.aspx)
* Attorney General Josh Stein Calls on EPA to Withdraw Plans to Weaken Emissions Standards for Coal Power Plants (http://ncdoj.gov/News-and-Alerts/News-Releases-and-Advisories/Attorney-General-Josh-Stein-Calls-on-EPA-to-Withdr.aspx)
* Attorney General Josh Stein Urges Trump EPA to Withdraw Plans to Gut Clean Power Plan and Clean Car Standards (http://ncdoj.gov/News-and-Alerts/News-Releases-and-Advisories/Attorney-General-Josh-Stein-Urges-Trump-EPA-to-Wit.aspx)
* Attorney General Josh Stein Opposes Rollback of Protections from Greenhouse Gas Emissions (http://ncdoj.gov/News-and-Alerts/News-Releases-and-Advisories/Attorney-General-Josh-Stein-Urges-Trump-EPA-to-Wit.aspx)
Attorney General Stein is joined in filing this lawsuit by the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, and the chief legal officers of Boulder, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and South Miami.
A copy of the petition is available here (https://ncdoj.gov/getattachment/8a9d6ad1-a61a-4d76-ba58-12ea24d86390/2019-08-13-final-petition-for-review.pdf.aspx) and more information is available here(https://ncdoj.gov/getattachment/20fd7675-34c3-47b9-861b-fe5a073b8ed1/2019-08-13-final-petition-for-review-Attachment-A.pdf.aspx).
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Helps Orange County Residents Buy Their Manufactured Home Park
ALBANY, New York, Aug. 23 -- The New York State Homes and Community Renewal issued the following news:
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced that the Brittany Terrace manufactured home park in Orange County has been converted into a resident-owned community that will preserve long-term affordability for seniors.
Through a $10.4 million investment by HCR, the land beneath the neighborhood in Rock Tavern will be owned by 74 homeowners in Brittany Terrace. Residents of the 55 and older community were facing an uncertain future when the
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ALBANY, New York, Aug. 23 -- The New York State Homes and Community Renewal issued the following news:
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced that the Brittany Terrace manufactured home park in Orange County has been converted into a resident-owned community that will preserve long-term affordability for seniors.
Through a $10.4 million investment by HCR, the land beneath the neighborhood in Rock Tavern will be owned by 74 homeowners in Brittany Terrace. Residents of the 55 and older community were facing an uncertain future when thepark went up for sale earlier this year. The investment was made in partnership with ROC USA and PathStone.
"Residents of Brittany Terrace now have control over the management of their community and can live without fear of exorbitant rental increases," Commissioner Visnauskas said. "Investments such as this, which ensure these neighborhoods will remain affordable for current and future homeowners for years to come, build upon this year's overhaul of state rent regulations which took historic steps to protect residents of manufactured home parks."
This investment is part of Governor Cuomo's commitment to providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing is reflected in the State's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan.
The plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 with supportive services. The plan is a comprehensive approach to statewide housing issues and includes multi- and single-family housing and community development.
In many manufactured home communities, residents own their homes but not the land beneath them. This makes homeowners vulnerable to rent increases and eviction, especially when ownership of the land changes. By purchasing the property, homeowners are empowered to make major decisions as a unified community. On average, resident-owned communities raise site fees less than one-fourth of the industry average.
Brittany Terrace is home to 74 households with at least one resident over the age of 55. After learning that the park was going up for sale, PathStone reached out to residents to offer assistance with purchasing the property.
Financing for transaction included $5.2 million in federal HOME funds allocated by HCR and a $5.2 million loan from ROC USA Capital.
New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen said, "Safe, affordable housing is critical to helping older New Yorkers maintain their independence and is a key component of being an age-friendly state. This latest investment will help the older residents of Brittany Terrace age in place and remain connected to their community."
Senator James Skoufis said, "When discussing tenant protections, manufactured home owners have far-too-often been overlooked. It's imperative that mobile home tenants have a voice in their community which is why I'm delighted that Brittany Terrace is being converted to a resident-owned community. Seniors are some of our most vulnerable citizens to predatory landlord practices and rent hike, so I am extremely glad this community, with the aid of New York State, was able to gain full ownership of their land and with that, long-term security of their livelihood."
Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt said, "This is a great day for the residents of Brittany Terrace. Before I was even sworn in to office, residents from Brittany Terrace reached out for support as they sought to purchase the manufactured home park land and control their own future. With this $10.4 million investment from PathStone they have achieved that goal and I applaud them on their success. Brittany Terrace is a 55-and-old community, with many residents on fixed incomes. The men and women who live here are an integral part our community and want to stay in their hometown. With the state's investment through PathStone, they will be able to do just that."
Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said, Home ownership is part of the American dream It allows residents to take control of their future and this initiative will greatly benefit the residents of Brittany Terrace. I appreciate the work performed by ROC USA and PathStone on this project, which makes our community stronger."
Stuart Mitchell, President/CEO of PathStone, said, "We are very impressed with the tenacity and persistence of the people in this new resident-owned community. By working together, they now have the opportunity to create and preserve long term assets for themselves and their families. We greatly appreciate the confidence of HCR in our manufactured home co-op program and look forward to continuing our partnership with HCR to help land-lease manufactured homeowners to own the communities in which they live."
ROC USA President Paul Bradley said, "Resident ownership ensures homeowners have a stable community to call home with predictable costs that become even more affordable over time. But becoming a co-op is also the first step toward the transition from a neighborhood to a true community, where Members increasingly know one another and look out for their neighbors' well-being and best interests."
Preserving affordable communities through cooperative ownership of manufactured home parks is a priority for several national non-profit organizations. In 2008, ROC USA was established to help make resident-owned communities viable nationwide. ROC USA is sponsored by NeighborWorks America, Capital Impact Partners, Prosperity Now and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund.
ROC USA Network affiliates such as PathStone have helped 247 communities preserve more than 16,800 homes in 16 states since 1984. http://www.rocusa.org
PathStone has helped achieve resident ownership in 13 manufactured home communities across New York. PathStone provides training and facilitates financing for groups of homeowners to enable them to purchase and improve their community and operate it as a limited equity co-op. Founded in 1969, PathStone is a nonprofit organization with a mission of transforming lives and communities through building assets for low- and moderate-income people, including manufactured home communities.
Maine House Democrats: Juvenile Justice Task Force to Meet Next Week in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 23 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release:
The Juvenile Justice System Assessment & Reinvestment Task Force will hold its fourth meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Capitol Judicial Center, 2nd Floor, 1 Court Street, Augusta. The meeting is open to the public.
This group was established in May to examine the state's juvenile justice system and develop recommendations for a continuum of community-based alternatives to incarceration for system-involved youth and those at risk for becoming involved in the justice system.
Chaired by Rep.
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 23 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release:
The Juvenile Justice System Assessment & Reinvestment Task Force will hold its fourth meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Capitol Judicial Center, 2nd Floor, 1 Court Street, Augusta. The meeting is open to the public.
This group was established in May to examine the state's juvenile justice system and develop recommendations for a continuum of community-based alternatives to incarceration for system-involved youth and those at risk for becoming involved in the justice system.
Chaired by Rep.Michael Brennan, D-Portland, Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty and Jill Ward of the Maine Center for Juvenile Policy and Law, the Task Force is comprised of government leaders from multiple agencies, legislators, the Judiciary, practitioners and impacted communities.
The group will work with the staff from the D.C.-based Center for Childrens Law and Policy (CCLP) to assess the efficacy of the current system and develop recommendations to improve outcomes for system-involved youth. The CCLP is conducting the assessment, which is being funded by federal dollars through the states Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.
A report with recommendations is expected in early 2020. For more information about the Task Force, including meeting schedules, agendas and related information, go to Maine Juvenile Justice System Assessment & Reinvestment Task Force (http://www.mainejjtaskforce.org/).
Georgia Department of Labor and the Department of Juvenile Justice Host Job Fair in August
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 23 -- The Georgia Department of Labor issued the following news release:
The Georgia Department of Labor is partnering with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice to host an upcoming job fair.
The event will be held on Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Savannah Career Center, 5520 White Bluff Road, Savannah, Ga.
The Department of Juvenile Justice will be looking to hire juvenile correctional officers.
Job seekers interested in attending the event may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account so you can prepare and submit a resume. Having an Employ Georgia
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 23 -- The Georgia Department of Labor issued the following news release:
The Georgia Department of Labor is partnering with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice to host an upcoming job fair.
The event will be held on Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Savannah Career Center, 5520 White Bluff Road, Savannah, Ga.
The Department of Juvenile Justice will be looking to hire juvenile correctional officers.
Job seekers interested in attending the event may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account so you can prepare and submit a resume. Having an Employ Georgiaaccount expedites the interview process.
Applicants are encouraged to bring their resumes, driver's licenses and dress business casual to improve their chances to be hired.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services and to connect with us on social media.
