When I was four years old I got my first pair of glasses. Dr. James Hughes had an office on William Street in downtown Atlanta and I was a regular there until he retired.
It was a run-down series of old buildings in the bustling downtown of a growing city. Its use had long been forgotten by many residents and once-storied importance largely discounted by an impatient populace racing to build a modern city. By the early 1900s, the Alamo was about to fall once again, this time to the ravages of neglect and the drive for urban development. One determined Texan, Clara Driscoll, led a group of women to preserve the Alamo site for all time.
It’s an honor to take over writing “Capital Highlights” from two capable predecessors, Chris Cobler and Ed Sterling. They are tough acts to follow, but I’ll do my best.
The first few weeks of every session are usually slower than the end of each session. In fact, the Texas Constitution prevents the Legislature from passing any legislation during the first sixty days of a legislative session, unless the Governor has deemed the legislation an emergency item.
While 2020 was a strange year in more ways than one, one thing was fairly consistent; shutdowns and social distancing took a toll on sales tax revenues for many municipalities. Thankfully, Atlanta’s sales tax revenues still managed to show year-over-year value increases each month.
306 West Main St
Atlanta, TX 75551
903.796.7133