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BAY AREA EDITION
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 11 JUNE 28 JULY 31, 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 COLLEGES FIGHTING NURSING SHORTAGE
College of the Mainland o ering new degree
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HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • HCA Houston Healthcare • Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital • UTMB Health
Flower shop among top ranked in state
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San Jacinto Community College o ers a variety of nursing education, training licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses and others.
COURTESY SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Texas legislative session ends with bill passing to address nursing issue
League City eatery gives Greek cuisine a Texas twist
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BY JAKE MAGEE
Harris and Galveston counties. Jack Frazee, director of govern- ment a airs and general counsel for the Texas Nurses Association, which aims to advance the profes- sion across the state, said there is a shortage of about 27,000 nurses statewide. It’s expected to grow to 57,000 by 2032, he said. “Obviously, the trend line is going in the wrong direction,” he said.
The registered nurse turnover rate in the Gulf Coast region in 2022 was nearly 30%, and the vacancy rate of registered nurses was almost 16%— the highest in both areas since 2014. For licensed vocational nurses, the vacancy rate in the Gulf Coast region was 41.8%, said Pamela Lauer, man- ager for the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, in an email. CONTINUED ON 24
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As it has for the past few decades, Texas is still facing a nursing short- age—a problem now severe enough to warrant state lawmakers author- ing several bills in the 88th Legisla- ture to address the problem. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows the nurs- ing shortage is particularly bad in the Gulf Coast region, which includes
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
Staying on top of your health should always be a top priority. Because many of the major health risks that men face can be prevented. That’s why, from regular checkups to screenings, we focus on prevention and early diagnosis, and helping you take charge of your health. It’s important for you. And your family. You need preventive care because they need you.
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Papar Faircloth SENIOR EDITOR Jake Magee REPORTERS Rachel Leland, Jake Norman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jesus Verastegui ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Adrianne Smith METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schafler COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 281-469-6181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES baynews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING bayads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM PAPAR: Our annual Health Care Edition is here. Every year we compile health care-related news about the communities we cover and a snapshot of our community’s well-being. As my mother loves to remind me, “You will have lots of possessions throughout your life but will only have one body, so treat it well.” We hope this edition helps keep you healthy and thriving! Papar Faircloth, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM JAKE: There’s a shortage of nurses across Texas, and the problem is worst in the region that includes League City and Clear Lake. Many facets are contributing to the issue, including a lack of educators, but state legislators worked on several bills to address the problem. Learn more about this issue and what has been done to address it in our front-page story. Jake Magee, SENIOR EDITOR
Meet Jason Culpepper
Houston Metro Publisher
What’s your typical day as a CI Publisher? JC: It begins with reading our email newsletters, then touching base with staffers covering our Houston communities. I also like to stay close to our customers and trends in the region. Attending chamber lunches or networking is something I prioritize, and keeping on top of the operational needs and financial health of our metro fills out my week. I strive to serve my team each day based on where their needs are.
How do you spend your free time? JC: I serve on several boards within the Cy-Fair community where I grew up and where I’m raising my family. Patronizing local businesses, specifically our advertising partners, is also fulfilling to me. Aside from Community Impact, what have you read recently? JC: I just finished “The Intentional Year,” “Smart Brevity,” “The Measure,” “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” and “Intimate Allies.”
Email newsletters are booming for CI; why should readers subscribe? JC: They really are the best way to stay informed with the news of the day plus entertaining items, like new restaurants opening and events to plan your weekend.
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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7 Fat Tuesday , a Louisiana staple specializing in frozen cocktails, will be opening its sixth Houston location in Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall, Ste. 1178, Friendswood. Mall o cials did not specify when the restaurant would open, but it was originally expected to open in late 2022. The business started their operation in 1984 in New Orleans. With the new location opening, Fat Tuesday will have nearly 90 locations in operation worldwide. www.fattuesday.com 8 The Sweet Life of Confectionery , a local candy store, co ee shop and ice cream parlor all in one, is prepar- ing to open soon at 100 Perkins Ave., League City. The shop will be situated next to the recently opened Main St. Bistro restaurant. Michelle Walding—the business partner of Gary Walding, who owns Sweet Life of Confectionery—said they do not have a set opening date yet but expect it to open in late 2023. The shop will have a 1930s theme and o er a diverse selection of candy, choco- late, ice cream and co ee. Addition- ally, fresh ta y will be made in front of customers, providing a unique and 9 The pavilion at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside, 100 Alderwood St., League City, was closed for renovations until May 26. The renovations include new skylights, restroom xtures, stalls, parti- tions, picnic tables and concrete bleach- ers and patching of the sports court. In August, the entire park will be tempo- rarily closed as the pavilion is repainted. 281-554-1000. www.leagecitytx.gov interactive experience. RENOVATIONS
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NOW OPEN 1 Fabletics , the global activewear brand, celebrated its grand open- ing from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on May 6 at Baybrook Mall, 700 Baybrook Mall, Ste. B1136, Friendswood. Founded in 2013, Fabletics claims to bring the sophistication of high fashion to activewear, incorporating technol- ogy into forward-thinking designs. 346-704-2379. www.fabletics.com 2 Mixing House opened earlier this year at 2047 W. Main St., Ste. A8, League City. The business creates custom cookies and cakes for events, celebrations and other occasions. The business guarantees all orders are unique, baked fresh and decorated
3 Walk On’s Sports Bistreaux opened in early May at 1250 Fairway Drive, Webster. The restaurant is known for its Lousiaian cuisine, including sea- food, traditional Cajun meals, burgers and beignets. Walk On’s includes a full bar with more than 40 beers on tap. www.walk-ons.com 4 League City’s latest art gallery, Art of Paper , opened in early June at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker St., League City. The exhibit features a hanging origami display along with wall art, 3D art and sculptures, all of which are made from paper by profes- sional and amateur local artists as young as 6. Some of the art on display is for sale. Previous galleries include photog- raphy and traditional art. 281-554-1000. www.leaguecitytx.gov
5 Specialty co ee roastery and cafe Luce Avenue Co ee Roasters opened a location inside the H-E-B at 18611 East eld Drive, Webster, on April 7. Luce Avenue serves espresso and other co ee beverages, baked goods and co ee beans. The co ee shop has four other lo- cations around the Greater Houston area. www.luceco eeroasters.com COMING SOON 6 Renew Dental Implants , a branch of Clear Lake Dental Care, is expect- ed to open at 17330 Hwy. 3, Webster, in mid-July. The facility will feature a dental implant surgery center and an in-house, on-site lab. The busi- ness aims to renew smiles using the latest dental implant technology. www.renewdentalimplants.com
with care. 918-633-1924. www.mixinghouse.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
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Art of Paper
Luce Avenue Co ee Roasters
COURTESY LUCE AVENUE COFFEE ROASTERS
COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
NEW OWNERSHIP 10 As of late April, Sylvan Learning Center , 20814 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 50, Web- ster, has a new owner. Andrew Helminiak, a long-time Houston-area teacher, is the center’s new owner. Helminiak was a high school English teacher for 10 years before he joined the Webster center as its direc- tor. When the previous director suggest- ed Helminiak buy the center, he did so. Helminiak wants to strengthen partner- ships with Webster and Friendswood-area schools as he believes Sylvan can help teachers and students succeed, according to a news release. 713-893-1539. https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/ 11 The Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center at 1220 Egret Bay Blvd., League City, closed in mid-June and will not reopen until late fall. The closure is due to a capital improvement project, a portion of which will go through the nature center, to improve the city’s drinking water infrastructure. Workers will install about 17,000 feet of a 36-inch pipe connect- ing the Hey. 3 booster pump station to the South Shore Harbour booster pump station. Contractors will use horizontal drilling during the work to minimize impact to the nature center. 281-554-1000. www.leaguecitytx.gov CLOSINGS 12 Bed Bath & Beyond is closing its Webster location at 19801 Gulf Freeway as part of a nationwide clo- clear-lake-webster-tx IN THE NEWS
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College of the Mainland will soon o er a new radiologic technology associate degree.
COURTESY COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND
FEATURED IMPACT IN THE NEWS Starting this fall, College of the Mainland , 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, will o er a new radiologic technology associate degree. Radiographers help interpret images of patients’ bodies for diagnosis in hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers and other health care facilities. In this new program, students will learn anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection, patient care and communication skills, according to a college news release. “This program will train future technologists,” Radiography Program Coordinator Laura Schrettner said in the release. “Students who graduate from the program will have patient care skills, professionalism and will be clinically competent to enter the workplace and will be employable from day one.” The program will prepare students for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national board exam. Students may also apply for a medical technologist certi cation from the
state of Texas, the release reads. Radiographers are the third-largest group of medical professionals in the U.S. and growing fast, according to the release. Radiographers’ median annual wage this year is $62,810, according to the Occupational Information Network. Locally, 443 radiographer jobs will be created between 2020 and 2030, according to the release. The college held virtual and in- person sessions in early May for those who wanted to learn about the new program. Applications opened May 1. 409-938-1211 www.com.edu/academics/ radiologic-technology/index.html
Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside
COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
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Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center
COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
sure of 360 stores, including 10 in the Greater Houston area. In April, Bed Bath & Beyond led for bankruptcy due to its inability to attract shoppers. www.bedbathandbeyond.com 13 Webster’s buybuy Baby location at 19801 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 800, is closing along with four other locations in the Greater Houston area. A total of 120 buybuy Baby locations will close after parent company Bed Bath and Beyond led for bankruptcy in April. www.buybuybaby.com
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
COMPILED BY RACHEL LELAND
Grissom Road widening nears completion On July 23, League City will o cially complete its Grissom Road expansion project, which will widen 5,600 feet of an existing two-lane rural open ditch roadway to a four- lane divided urban roadway from Abigail Lane to West NASA Road. In League City’s 2018 Master Mobility Plan, which the city updates every ve years, it was projected that in 15-20 years, tra c on the road would reach 15,000 cars per day, a much heavier tra c ow than the two-lane road could accommodate. “Anytime you have a lot of tra c on a two-lane roadway, it is wise to start looking at four-lane divid- ers,” Executive Director of Capital Projects Ron Bavarian said. “I think when it’s nished up, it can handle the future tra c. It will be de nitely helpful for the through tra c as well as the local tra c.” The city completed preliminary environmental studies to determine the best type of road for the project. “We could have gone to a four- lane undivided roadway, and it would have survived,” Bavarian said. “But a four-lane divided roadway with medians actually looks nicer and it’s a much safer roadway facility.” Once completed, the road will provide an 8-foot pedestrian side- walk, as well as drainage mitigation required for increased runo .
ONGOING PROJECTS
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League City Parkway intersection improvements League City is wrapping up a tra c sys- tems improvement project to reduce tra c delays on League City Parkway and prepare for the future growth of tra c in the area. The project will signalize the all-way stop-controlled intersections at Landing Boulevard and Bay Area Boulevard and will add right-turn lanes at some of the intersections. The project also includes improvements to Gilmore Elementary’s driveway to improve tra c. Timeline: third quarter 2020-July 2023 Cost: $1.9 million Funding source: city of League City
The Grissom Road project was nearing completion in early June.
COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
In addition to providing better mobility for drivers and foot tra c, Bavarian also said the project greatly improves drainage. “We also went from open ditch drainage facility to underground, which is much more reliable,” Bavarian said. This project will also include approximately 5,000 feet of 12-inch waterline from the North Service Area booster station to West NASA Road. Drivers are able to use the two completed lanes, but once the project is completed, drivers will be able to use all four lanes, Bavarian said. The original timeline for the proj- ect, which began in 2019, expected construction to begin in 2021 and wrap up in 2022. However, Project Manager Jaimie Dino said due to necessary relocations of existing utility poles along Grissom Road and weather delays, construction was moved to nish in 2023. “It was mostly due to the [con- struction crew] needing to extend their contract due to existing utility con icts,” Dino said.
PROJECT BOUNDARIES The Grissom Road widening project, which will expand the road to four lanes, runs from Abigail Lane to West NASA road.
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JUNE 6. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BAYNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. peak travel times. Additional left- and right-turn lanes will be added throughout the intersection. Timeline: January-July Cost: $1.65 million Funding source: Galveston County Hwy. 3 and League City Parkway intersection improvements Contractors are adding more turn lanes at Hwy. 3 and League City Parkway to improve tra c ow during
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SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Funding for the project comes primarily from a $9.3 million general obligation bond. In addition to the GO bond, the city will also pull funding from city reinvestments and utility funds, which will cover the waterline and sewer replacement portion of the project.
Kimberly Harding, Broker/Owner 281-554-7653 Kimberly@KimberlyHarding.com 2490 Calder Dr, League City, TX 77573 www.TheKimberlyHardingGroup.com
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Clear Creek ISD
HIGHLIGHTS CLEAR CREEK ISD During a League City Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 17, CCISD Superintendent Karen Engle shared updates on the district, including how district officials and CCISD board trustees are improving the intermediate school experience. As part of the district’s Vision 2030 plan, the goal is for all intermediate schools to be nationally recognized as centers of innovation, creation and collaboration. Modeling The Leader in Me program at 11 CCISD schools, starting in the 2024-25 school year, sixth-graders will take courses incorporating The Leader in Me skills. District officials are also considering creating innovation centers at 10 of the district’s intermediate schools and/or four schools of innovation. Officials’ goal is to have intermediate school students spend a week every couple months working together in a shared space. Clear Creek ISD board of trustees will meet at 4:30 p.m. July 10 for a board workshop and at 6 p.m. for a regular meeting at the Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.ccisd.net/thestream. MEETINGS WE COVER
District facing multimillion-dollar budget shortfall
resulting in a $31.75 million shortfall. The district has a Strategic Budget Sprint Team that is tasked with looking at ways to increase revenues and reduce expenses. The team met in early May. The team came up with recommen- dations and tiered them. Superinten- dent Karen Engle will use the team’s report to provide recommendations to the board. In their own words: Board members expressed concern with the state of the budget. “It’s glaring, I think, what not only our district but other districts are facing and how they’re still able to provide the opportunities for our students,” Trustee Jay Cunningham said. “Buckle up. We’re going to have to roll our sleeves up and get to work.” Trustee Jeffrey Larson said he was troubled by the shortfalls the district is facing. “This is tough; $31 million is a huge hill to climb,” he said, noting the district may have to tax residents more to make up the difference.
PROJECTED SHORTFALLS
Clear Creek ISD officials expect to face large shortfalls in coming fiscal years.
Expenses Revenue
Shortfall
BY JAKE MAGEE
CLEAR CREEK ISD Due to declin- ing enrollment, a lack of state aid and other factors, Clear Creek ISD is facing multimillion-dollar shortfalls over the next two fiscal years. The overview: CCISD Chief Finan- cial Officer Alice Benzaia shared a preview of the fiscal year 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 budgets with the board May 22. • For the FY 2022-23 budget, the board transferred $9.2 million from the district’s contingency fund to pass a balanced budget. • For FY 2023-24, district officials expect $357.34 million in revenue and $374.74 million in expenses, resulting in a $17.4 million shortfall. • For FY 2024-25, officials expect $353.6 million in revenue and $385.35 million in expenses,
$400M
-$17.4M
$375M
$350M
$325M
$0
FY 2023-24
$400M
$375M
-$31.75M
$350M
$325M
$0
FY 2024-25
SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CITY & COUNTY
News from League City, Houston & Harris County
League City City Council will meet at 6 p.m. July 11 and 25 at council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.facebook.com/leaguecitytexas and http://leaguecitytx.swagit.com/ live-chambers. MEETINGS WE COVER population estimate for April 2021. The county saw a 16.8% increase from the county’s population estimate for April 2010. The alleged undercount could be shorting Harris County up to $150 million in federal funding annually, First Assistant County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne said. On May 16, commissioners unanimously voted for the county attorney’s office to challenge the 2022 census population estimates. Fombonne said 40,000-45,000 is an estimated undercount. HIGHLIGHTS HOUSTON As Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner nears the end of his second and final term, he shared the city’s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The budget is the “final one but is also the best one,” said Turner, who was elected to his first term in 2015 and whose second term will expire in January. Turner presented the proposed budget, which was approved in June, at a news conference held at City Hall on May 16. The total proposed budget for FY 2023-24 includes $6.2 billion in expenditures, an increase of $379.2 million or 6.6% from FY 2022-23. The majority of the increase, $199 million, is attributed to higher operations and maintenance costs associated with the city’s water and wastewater system. The proposed budget’s ending fund balance is $401 million, $220 million above the requirement. HARRIS COUNTY The Office of the Harris County Attorney will be challenging the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 population estimates, citing a possible undercount of 40,000- 45,000 residents, after county commissioners approved the effort May 16. As of July 1, 2022, Harris County had a population of 4.78 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The county saw an almost 1% increase from the county’s “I THINK WE NEED TO GO UP TO THE MAXIMUM. PEOPLE CAUSING THE IMPACT NEED TO PAY FOR THAT IMPACT.” NICK LONG, LEAGUE CITY MAYOR, ON INCREASING IMPACT FEES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE QUOTE OF NOTE
League City impact fees set to increase 93% LEAGUE CITY After League City City Council’s two votes May 23 and June 13, most of the fees to add water and wastewater lines to new developments will increase 93% beginning Dec. 1. BY JAKE MAGEE RISING FEES League City’s impact fees are set to nearly double. +93% +93%
Current fees Proposed fees
What happened: Council has approved both readings of an ordinance to increase water and wastewater impact fees. Originally proposed to take effect Sept. 1, council agreed to push the start date to Dec. 1. Impact fees, also known as capital recovery fees, are charged to devel- opers one time so the cost for new development is minimal on existing taxpayers. Here are the changes: • The proposed new fees for resi- dential developments, including single-family houses, range from $11,860-$14,825. • The existing fees for such develop- ments are $6,134-$7,668. • The difference ranges from $5,726- $7,157—a 93% increase.
Residential developments $6,134 $11,860
Commercial developments $7,668 $14,825
SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Additionally, water and waste- water impact fees for commercial developments are proposed to increase based on the size of a development’s water meter: • The proposed new fees, depending on water meter size, range from $14,825-$1.14 million. • The existing fees for such develop- ments range from $7,668-$587,928. • The difference is a 93% increase. • The only proposed increase that isn’t 93% is for a 3-inch line, which is proposed to go from $112,587 to
$158,137—a 40% increase. Council last raised its water and wastewater impact fees in 2019. Zooming in: League City’s existing water and wastewater impact fees for a single-family home are lower than several nearby cities. For instance, Pearland’s fee is $9,265, compared to League City’s $7,668. By increasing the fee to $14,825, League City is on the high end when it comes to such fees when compared to nearby cities.
Seniors, disabled residents receive higher homestead exemptions
HOW IT WORKS A homestead exemption removes part of the value on a homeowner’s property from taxation and lowers the homeowner’s taxes. The following example shows how property taxes owed are calculated based on a home appraised at $300,000 with a homestead exemption of $25,000.
BY MELISSA ENAJE
HARRIS COUNTY Commissioners unanimously voted May 16 to increase the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners. The increase is applied to the appraised value of a resident’s homestead and will go into effect for the 2023 tax year for bills that go out in October. The impact: Those who are legally defined as disabled as well as those age 65 and older could qualify for an additional $25,000 off the appraised value of their homes. According to Harris Central Appraisal District documents, if residents are over 65 and disabled, they may either receive the over 65-exemption or the disability homestead exemption, but not both. • For those who meet the age or disability requirements, the $25,000 increase raises the 2022 exemption from $250,000 to $275,000. • The savings for qualified persons will average $130 per year. Terms to know: The Harris Central Appraisal District defines a homestead as generally the house and land used as the homeowner’s principal residence Jan. 1 of the current tax year.
$300,000 $25,000 $275,000 = - Appraised value: Homestead exemption: Taxable value:
$275,000
100 =
$2,750
Property taxes owed
$2,750
=
Tax rate
X
SOURCE: HARRIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
people desperate for help. This latest increase of the exemption should negate the impact of rising appraisal values on families across Harris County,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said in a news release. Going forward: Reaching age 65 does not automatically exempt senior homeowners from paying property taxes, according to HCAD guidelines. • Seniors who need to apply can obtain a homestead exemption form online at www.hcad.org under the “popular forms” tab or by contacting the HCAD on weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 713-957-7800.
Quote of note: “Once again, we deliver real savings to
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
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AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached, suspended
NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for scal years 2024 and 2025. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers PETER LAKE, OUTGOING CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS. LAKE RESIGNED JUNE 2. “TODAY OUR GRID IS MORE RELIABLE THAN EVER. TOGETHER WE’VE OVERCOME INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES AND DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE TO TEXANS SOMETIMES SEEMINGLY THAT WE’D KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.” UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
BY HANNAH NORTON
A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON
The Texas House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27 over allegations of bribery, conspiracy and other forms of misconduct. House lawmakers voted 121-23 to adopt 20 articles of impeachment against the third-term Republican. The House General Investigating Committee began a probe into Paxton’s alleged misconduct in March after he asked the Texas Legislature to use public funds to pay for a $3.3 million settlement between Paxton and four of his former employees. Paxton is suspended from o ce without pay and barred from performing his o cial duties. Former Secretary of State John Scott will serve as interim attorney general, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 31. Next, the Texas Senate will conduct a trial to determine if Paxton will be reinstated or permanently removed from o ce. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the judge. Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin will prosecute Paxton during the trial, and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee will lead the legal team representing Paxton. If two-thirds of senators vote to convict Paxton on the impeachment charges, he will not be allowed to run for re-election or hold any other state o ce in Texas. Paxton, who has denied the allegations, called the House’s vote to impeach him a “sham” and said he looked forward to “a quick resolution in the Texas Senate.”
FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully red in 2020. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MARCH 8 20 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from o ce. NEXT STEPS State senators will adopt the rules for the impeachment trial. After that, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will set a date for the trial, which must begin by Aug. 28. JUNE 1 Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin are selected as prosecutors for the Texas Senate trial. SOURCE: TEXAS HOUSE GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEECOMMUNITY IMPACT
GREG BONNEN Friendswood Republican Elected: 2012
Texas lawmakers clash on property tax cuts
Texas Legislature expands rearm background checks
HB 3447 In response to competition from other states, this bill, which takes e ect Sept. 1, provides $150 million toward making Texas maintain its leadership role when it comes to human space exploration. Other states are branching into aerospace, and Texas must lead the charge or risk being left behind, legislators said.
BY HANNAH NORTON
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TAX RELIEF PLANS
After the Texas Legislature ended its regular legislative session May 29, Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to Austin for a 30-day special session to cut prop- erty taxes and increase penalties for human smuggling. The governor speci ed lawmakers should provide “lasting property tax relief for Texas taxpayers” by reduc- ing tax rates for public schools. The Texas House passed three bills May 30 that met the governor’s request and adjourned for the rest of the session. This left the Senate with two options: pass the House’s proposals or end the session without any bills being signed by the governor. Senators passed their own legislation but did not approve the House bills. All bills must be passed by both chambers to become law. Abbott said he would call a second special session to resolve the issue if lawmakers do not agree on a property tax proposal.
The Texas House and Senate advanced competing plans to cut property taxes May 30. Here’s what the two proposals could mean for homeowners. Both plans • Use $12.3B in state funds to compress school tax rates House Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.162 for every $100 of a home’s value Senate Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.10 for every $100 of a home’s value • Raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 Homestead exemption : the portion of a home’s value that cannot be taxed Tax rate compression : state provides money to public school districts to reduce their tax rates
BY HANNAH NORTON
Under a new law, federal law enforcement can access informa- tion about Texans with potentially harmful mental health conditions during the routine background checks completed before someone can buy a rearm. Senate Bill 728 requires county clerks to notify the Texas Depart- ment of Public Safety if a court determines an adult with a mental illness or intellectual disability is un t to go to trial, is not responsi- ble for their own actions, or needs inpatient services or residential long-term care. State Rep. Je Leach, R Plano, said the law does not impact responsible gun owners but will “[keep] rearms out of the hands of dangerous Texans who do not need to have them.” Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 2. It will become law Sept. 1.
DENNIS PAUL Houston Republican Elected: 2014
HB 2416 This bill would have created a trust fund to help locally fund the coastal barrier, a planned multibillion-dollar project to protect communities along Galveston Bay from ooding during hurricanes. The fund would have allowed o cials to invest money to grow and be withdrawn over the estimated 30-year span of the barrier’s construction. However, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the bill June 17. Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
13
BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSOR
HCA Houston Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare in the Houston area. Our comprehensive network includes hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, freestanding emergency centers, and freestanding diagnostic imaging facilities in the greater Houston area. It also includes a regional transfer center that provides one- phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of HCA-a liated facilities as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. Proudly serving a large and diverse region, the HCA Houston Healthcare network, including The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and Texas Orthopedic Hospital, o ers a range of programs to meet the needs of people of all ages with conditions ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. We are also nationally recognized in orthopedics, women's care, weight loss surgery, breast imaging and more. From your annual checkup to specialized care, we’re here for you.
GOLD SPONSOR
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center to Clear Lake communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care and is designated a Primary Stroke Center designated through DNV. Houston Methodist Clear Lake o ers many inpatient and outpatient services including state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal intensive care unit, cancer and breast care, weight loss surgery, cardiovascular medicine and comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine. The hospital’s emergency department and emergency care centers in Deer Park and League City are open 24/7 and provide the full spectrum of medical services by board-certi ed emergency physicians. Visit houstonmethodist.org/clearlake to learn more. To nd a doctor near you, visit houstonmethodist.org/ nd-a-doctor or call 281.333.8899.
GOLD SPONSOR
From primary care and pediatrics to the most complex surgical procedures, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) system of care includes hospitals and emergency departments on four campuses; primary, specialty and urgent care services; and collaborations with physicians throughout the region. In the Bay Area, UTMB Health provides innovative and compassionate care at our Clear Lake Hospital Campus (200 Blossom Street), League City Hospital Campus (2240 Gulf Freeway South), and a network of primary and specialty care clinics located throughout our communities. Patient care services include primary care; pediatrics; urgent care; 24/7 emergency departments at both hospital locations, including our 24/7 pediatric emergency department at the Clear Lake Hospital Campus; comprehensive specialty care services for pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology/neurosurgery and much more. Find a primary care doctor or specialist, schedule an appointment and learn more at utmbhealth.com or by calling (800) 917-8906.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT
Local health care data and information
COMPILED BY DANICA LLOYD & JAKE MAGEE
WORKFORCE BY COUNTY
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, 2022
Profession count
Per 100,000 residents
County rank statewide
Harris County has more primary care physicians and psychiatrists per capita and has higher statewide ranks than Galveston County.
31
89.2
4,607
59
62
245
66.4
45
HARRIS COUNTY GALVESTON COUNTY
290
99 TOLL
PSYCHIATRISTS, 2022
Profession count
Per 100,000 residents
County rank statewide
10
14
11.5
594
59
45
30
288
24
6.5
N
SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH PROFESSIONS RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT
HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR COUNTY?
These rankings of all counties statewide are updated annually but include data from previous years. The factors listed are not comprehensive.
HEALTH OUTCOMES INCLUDE: HEALTH FACTORS INCLUDE: Length of life
2023 STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE RANKINGS OUT OF 244 RANKED COUNTIES
Quality of life • Poor mental and physical health days reported
HEALTH OUTCOMES
52 46 58
28 31 66
Length of life Overall Quality of life
Health behaviors
Socioeconomic factors
• Smoking and excessive drinking • Obesity • Physical activity • Alcohol-impaired driving deaths • Sexually transmitted infections • Teen births
• Educational attainment levels • Children in poverty • Income inequality • Violent crimes
HEALTH FACTORS
23 42 44 81 76
43 86 62
Overall
Health behaviors
Socioeconomic Physical environment Clinical care
Clinical care
Physical environment factors
127 241
• Health insurance coverage • Number of physicians, dentists, mental health providers • Preventable hospital stays • Flu vaccinations
• Air pollution • Drinking water violations • Housing problems • Long commutes
SOURCES: ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE, COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG COMMUNITY IMPACT
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS In September 2022, both Harris and Galveston counties saw increases since September 2020 in health care and social assistance industry employment. However, Galveston County’s September 2022 numbers were less than September 2021.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT
HOUSTON METRO MAY 2022 OCCUPATION ESTIMATES
Sept. 2020 Sept. 2021
Sept. 2022
Annual mean wage
Employment
380
$38,050 $284,520 $384,720 $133,260 $88,880 $400,020 $108,580 $179,490
Anesthesiologists
281,535
+6.72%
2,570 6,230
Emergency medical technicians
2-year change
291,440
Pharmacists
300,449
170 110
Obstetricians and gynecologists
Cardiologists
9,675
SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS COMMUNITY IMPACT
+2.01%
58,620
Registered nurses Physical therapists
2-year change
10,109
3,320
9,869
270
Psychiatrists
15
BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
UTMB Health has over 130 years of expertise caring for patients of all ages.
Caring for the Bay Area and our region From primary care to the most complex procedures, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) is here to meet your health care needs. In the Bay Area, UTMB Health offers two full-service hospitals with 24/7 emergency departments , including our Pediatric ED on the Clear Lake Hospital Campus, urgent care clinics, primary care and specialty care clinics.
UTMB Health brings innovative and quality care to our communities. UTMB Health League City Hospital Campus 2240 Gulf Fwy S. League City, TX 77573 UTMB Health Clear Lake Hospital Campus 200 Blossom St. Webster, TX 77598
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
You have access to the latest treatment options and advanced procedures – all close to home and all backed by UTMB Health’s full system of innovative, quality care.
To schedule an appointment with a UTMB Health provider, call our 24/7 Access Services team at (800) 917-8906 , visit utmbhealth.com or scan the QR code .
knows how to care for you
The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
MENTAL HEALTH Galveston County, League City deploy new strategies for mental health crises
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
LEAGUE CITY MENTAL HEALTH CALLS League City police o cers will need to undergo the following training to become certi ed mental health o cers, totaling 72 hours.
people going through a mental health crisis, the department saw a need to not only react to the crisis, but play a proactive role in the community. Antley said one way the department achieves this goal is by partnering with local mental health organizations, such as the Gulf Coast Center and the Medical Behavioral Hospital of Clear Lake, and following up with the people o cers respond to. “A big part of their job would be to conduct consistent follow-up with the people that we come into contact with,” Antley said. “We can follow up and make sure that they are prescribed medication, ... keep that line of communication open, and, you know, be a resource for them to try and keep them out of crisis.” Antley said because o cers usually interact with subjects on their worst days, building relationships with people outside of their emergency crisis is crucial. “Criminalizing mental health isn’t the answer,” Antley said. “We don’t want to put people that are experienc- ing a mental health crisis in the justice system if we can help it.” Extended observation unit For the past year and a half, the League City police has partnered with the Gulf Coast Center, an organization o ering mental health services to people in Galveston County. Cities throughout the county have relied on the center to provide mental health services such as counseling, follow-up care and nding safe housing. Gulf Coast Center and Galveston County plan to build a 48-hour holding center, or extended observation unit, to provide ongoing care. The facility will accommodate 10 people at a time, allowing them access to nursing;
BY RACHEL LELAND
If the department receives the grant, Antley said department o cials hope to deploy the specialized teams of two dedicated mental health o cers by fall 2023 to early 2024. However, department o cials aren’t letting that hold them up from rolling out other solutions in the meantime. As of May, 20 o cers had under- gone mental health training, and Antley said the goal is to have all of League City’s 78 uniformed o cers eventually undergo the same training. To become a certi ed mental health o cer, o cers must undergo 24 hours of mental health training on top of a prerequisite of 40 hours of crisis intervention training and an eight- hour class in de-escalation. In these train- ings, o cers will be required to “respond” to actors experiencing various crises, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or simulating an
The League City Police Department is preparing to roll out a new program for better responding to mental health crises in the community. In April, the department applied for a $218,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant for police departments seeking to either start or improve a mental health response unit. The money would cover the overtime of the o cers assigned and the equipment the unit needs. The department will nd out this fall if it has been awarded the grant. Capt. Stephen Antley said the decision to start a specialized mental health unit came from the volume of mental health calls dispatch received
Hours mental health training Hours de-escalation training
8
72 TOTAL HOURS
24
Hours crisis intervention training
40
crisis calls League City Police Department responded to in 2022. This equated to almost every other day on average. 159
is the number of mental health
SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
and feedback from the department’s o cers. Because the feedback was anecdotal, in early 2022 the depart- ment decided to track how many times o cers either involuntarily or voluntarily com- mitted someone to a hospital. After a year of collecting data, the department discovered it was
“CRIMINALIZING MENTAL HEALTH ISN’T THE ANSWER. WE DON’T WANT TO PUT PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IF WE HELP IT.” STEPHEN ANTLEY, LEAGUE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN
psychiatry; counseling; crisis coun- seling; and referrals to physicians, housing and substance use disorder treatment. Gulf Coast Center CEO Felicia Je reys said the center will primarily serve Galveston County but could serve other counties for a fee. Galveston County Precinct 3 Com- missioner Stephen Holmes said the county dedicated $4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to build the unit. Holmes said the county secured an additional $8 million in state funding for operations. “This is a much-needed continuum of care,” Je erys said. “Operationally, it will be a more e cient way to take care of our individuals, and clinically, it will be less traumatizing.”
intellectual or developmental disability. mental health team will consist of two o cers whose primary The specialized
committing someone to a hospital nearly every other day, Antley said. “That’s about the time we were like, ‘OK, we’ve identi ed the problem. Now we can start attacking the prob- lem with good solutions,’” he said.
job is responding to mental health calls and will respond to calls in addition to the regular front-line police o cers dispatched for emer- gency mental health calls. Based on o cers’ interactions with
96
r e
N
6640 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100 League City, TX 77573 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
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BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
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