Opinion

As we close out 2023 and welcome a new year, some of us contemplate whether or not we should commit to making New Year’s resolutions. If you are like me, you probably go back and forth debating with yourself about whether you’ll actually get past January and continue to stand fast with your list.

After the Texas Legislature spent much of 2023 in session, a bevy of new laws go into effect on New Year’s Day, though some have been delayed by lawsuits challenging their constitutionality.

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

When I think of Holiday House plants there are three that come to mind: Amaryllis, Poinsettias and Paperwhite Narcissus. All three of these can be grown outdoors under the right conditions.

Many of us enjoy living in Wimberley because we share our space with wildlife. For many, bird watching is an avid hobby and for others a pleasant pastime. I fall into the second group, but I do love my backyard birds and try to provide for their needs. Environmental scientists consider our avian friends to be an indicator species. That means the study of bird life can indicate the overall quality of a habitat.

A half-dozen lawsuits challenging the 13 approved Texas constitutional amendments appear to be dead in the water, The Dallas Morning News reported. The secretary of state’s office last week declared the propositions approved and now a part of the Texas Constitution, while Gov. Greg Abbott canvassed the election and certified the results. One proposition that would have raised the retirement age of judges was rejected by voters.

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case that could decide whether medical exceptions to the state’s abortion ban are written clearly enough to protect pregnant women who face serious health risks, the Austin American- Statesman reported.

Now that the holiday decorations are up in and around the Square, it is a great time to stroll the streets at night and enjoy all the sparkly lights.

Dear Editor:

As time runs out next week on the fourth special session, Gov. Greg Abbott said he will continue to fight for school choice, despite the Texas House once again decisively rejecting it when 21 Republicans largely from rural districts joined Democrats in stripping it from a $7.6 billion education bill. The Austin American-Statesman reported it is unclear what Abbott’s next move will be.