A hazardous flavoring chemical linked to an acute respiratory illness has been found in many flavored electronic cigarettes.  The chemical is known as diacetyl.   This bronchiolitis is an irreversible lung disease.  Flavors such as “Cupcake”, “Fruit Squirts” & more.  E-Cigarettes are NOT regulated by the Food and Drug  Administration, meaning health risks are unknown at this time.  Bearing this in mind, how SAFE is the “HARMLESS”  ALTERNATIVE  to cigarette smoking?  This according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The Senate passes the HOUSING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH MODERNIZATION ACT of 2016.  This bill contains reforms to increase & facilitate homeownership and affordable rental housing by providing assistant to low-income renters.  Some changes include the Rural Housing Service Single Family Guaranteed Loan Program to be current with other government loan programs.  Also reduce current FHA regulations surrounding existing condo projects.  More in the bill which was approved by the House earlier, but still needs its final approval.

Tax values increased as median home value in 2016 is $175,496 as compared to 2015 at $168,260.  Houses on the market for an average of 32 days in 2015.  Much shorter than years before.  A few property values are down due to lower oil revenues.  It does not appear that the recession from oil prices has caused many housing problems with jobs cut.  Gladewater and Winona are seeing declines in taxable values of properties.  For instance, Winona had $5.3 million in new construction, BUT $20 million in taxable mineral values.  JUST CHANGES!

Of course TEXAS is one of the top ones where properties sell in up to 30 days.  11 other states fall in this category:  California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and the only one on the East Coast is Massachusetts.  11 had market times of 31 to 45 days and 11 more sold in 46 to 60 days.  4 states took longer than 90 days to sell, leaving 13 states taking 61 to 90 days to get a sale.  NICE WE LIVE IN A STATE WHAT HOMES SELL QUICKLY.    That way we can all move on!

Reasons companies move to Texas are many, but 1st or 2nd are adequate roads.  We are NOT maintaining roads as we should.  We pay more to drive on poorly maintained roads – $516 per year in the U. S., $815 in San Antonio, $772 in Houston & on and on.  Tourism has a major impact for us, which is another reason we need good roads with 54% from out-of-state.   Transportation investment is a great way to stimulate economic development.  More jobs are created.  Poor roads costs us money in “beating” up our cars, lives lost, extra fuel, etc.