SUMMARY: Texas Senators unanimously voted to increase the homestead exemption, allowing homeowners to deduct $140,000 from their home’s taxable value, with a raise to $150,000 for seniors and disabled homeowners. This initiative, part of Senate Bill 1, aims to provide around $496.57 in tax relief, with many seniors potentially paying $0 in local school district taxes. Despite the support, some lawmakers expressed concerns that local entities may offset these savings by raising their taxes. The proposal now awaits the House’s approval before being presented to voters for final sanction. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised the bill’s potential benefits.

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SUMMARY: The Texas CHIPS Act, established in June 2023, aims to position Texas as the leader in the semiconductor industry with over $698 million in funding. Recently, Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. received a $4.12 million grant to expand its production facility in Allen, committing $41 million to enhance wafer manufacturing for critical technologies like telecommunications and defense. Additionally, a $2.4 million grant was awarded to Dongjin Semichem Texas for a facility in Killeen, producing essential chemicals for semiconductor fabrication. These initiatives are set to bolster Texas’s semiconductor supply chain and economic security, furthering its role in the industry.

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SUMMARY: Eric LaTroy Brown, 40, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 21-year-old University of Houston student at knife point in a parking garage. He assaulted the student, stole money, and was later apprehended by police but released without charges on unrelated offenses. Despite being identified by the victim and captured on surveillance, it’s unclear if the sexual assault charges were presented to the DA at that time. Brown is now wanted for aggravated sexual assault and robbery. In response, students staged a protest, expressing concerns about safety and calling for increased campus security.

University of Houston police are searching for Eric Latroy Brown, the man accused of sexually assaulting a student at knifepoint in a campus parking garage. Despite being arrested hours after the attack, Brown was released the next day due to initial charges being declined.

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