Latest news with #Burrows
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Patrick, Sen. Perry tout legislative victories in Lubbock stop
While touring major cities in Texas to highlight wins and local impacts stemming from the 89th Texas Legislature, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made a pit stop in Lubbock on Tuesday. Joined by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, both touted major wins for Texas — Perry's water bill and funding for public school and school choice, among others. Others are reading: Texas House Speaker Burrows discusses water, school choice and small business priorities However, something was also unique about this visit since the speaker of the Texas House — Dustin Burrows — is also the representative of Lubbock and has to work closely with the governor and lieutenant governor during session. "I've worked with four speakers now," Patrick said. "This was, this was light years above any other relationship." Patrick said that from day one, Burrows was in constant contact with him and the governor, and the three even reinstated what had been an abandoned tradition known as the Big Three Breakfast. Story continues after the gallery. But even outside of the breakfast, Patrick said he and Burrows met on a constant basis, where agreements on legislation were made. "When we had an issue, we sat down and worked it out — like the property tax issue to go to the level we went to a $200,000 homes exemption to eliminate school taxes for seniors," Patrick said. "He and I decided that in a 10-minute conversation, on a handshake." Patrick also said the two of them had to work on complicated bills during the session — several of which have a direct impact on West Texas. School funding for public schools and private schools drew in vocal critics around the state for and against the bills. One of those bills, as previously mentioned, was raising the homestead exemption to $200,000 for those over the age of 65. "For those of you under 65, your homestead exemption is now $140,000, meaning your school taxes will be down about 50% from where they were just several years ago," Patrick said. Those exemptions provide property tax relief, but they also impact the funding for public schools like Lubbock, Lubbock-Cooper, and Frenship ISDs in a different way. "When we cut your property taxes, we're not decreasing money from our public schools," Patrick said. "We're actually writing a check in your place." This lends itself to an $8.5 billion investment in public schools, which Patrick said the state legislature did differently this time around. "This time, Republicans and Democrats joined together almost unanimously to say, we want to put it in buckets, and the biggest bucket is prioritizing teachers," Patrick said. "They're the most important person in the school, because they're the ones who educate their child. We need to pay teachers more, and we've been doing that in the Texas Senate for the last five years." Dig Deeper: Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here's how they will work. Patrick said that when considering a more rural focus on this topic, lawmakers wanted to make strides in closing the $10,000 gap between rural teachers' pay and that of teachers in urban centers. It was also through working with Burrows in the House that the Senate was able to pass its school choice framework. Patrick even addressed those concerned that the school choice funding would degrade public schools, arguing that it won't. "To give you a comparison, school choice takes no money from public schools." Patrick said. "It's a billion-dollar program, a separate fund for 100,000 kids per year over here. Public schools — five and a half million kids, compared to 100,000 and about $44 billion a year, compared to $1 billion. It does not impact public schools." "We collectively will leave this session with a $20 billion commitment going forward, plus the $2.5 billion in the base budget and a billion last session," Perry said. "So we have put $23.5 billion for one of the biggest issues the state Texas faces, and that's dependable, perpetual water supply to meet the growing state needs." But the investment in Texas's water security doesn't stop there. Perry said Texans will have a chance to approve House Joint Resolution 7, which proposes an additional billion dollars to the Texas water fund from state sales taxes. Others are reading: Texas farmers face mounting expenses as droughts worsen That amendment, along with 17 other proposed amendments, will be on the November 2025 ballot. Perry also said rural Texas was able to secure a $90 million grant for emergency medical ambulance services, noting the need for rural communities to transport hurt or sick individuals to hospitals. "Rural Texas did well," Perry said. "Rural Texas — just like some of the initiatives we did in previous session, and what we continue to do this session, has never been better. Big, big wins in rural Texas." Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lt. Gov. Patrick touts legislative water bill, school funding, taxes
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Bruce Lehrmann enters plea in car theft case
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to stealing a car. Mr Lehrmann, 30, and his high-profile Sydney criminal lawyer, Zali Burrows, appeared via phone in Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. The first attempt to get Mr Lehrmann on the phone was unsuccessful with his lawyer saying he likely didn't answer because it was an unknown number. Magistrate Reg Marron told Ms Burrows: 'We've got a room full of people here ready to go, when we ring back please make sure he's ready to go.' Mr Lehrmann answered on the second attempt. Once everyone was on the call Ms Burrows proceeded to take issue with the material Tasmanian Police had provided her to date. She said the name of the complainant – Gail Oates – had been blacked out of the documents she had been provided. 'The present concern is the police statement redacts the name of Ms Oates,' she said. Ms Burrows said earlier media reports had included Ms Oates saying Mr Lehrmann allegedly stole her car and that these were: 'Sub-judice' and 'contempt'. She said she would be filing an application for a stay of proceedings. A stay of prosecution occurs when the case against a person has been prejudiced to the extent that it can not fairly proceed. State prosecutor Bune Kokeo said any application for a stay would be strongly opposed. He then submitted that Magistate Marron should request a plea. 'The issue right now is that the police have redacted the statement,' Ms Burrows said. 'I don't understand why it's such a national secret.' In response the prosecution tendered a list outlining all documents that had been provided to the defence to date. Magistrate Marron then told Ms Burrows things were different in Tasmania. 'Down here prosecution do things differently,' he said. He went on to say that in Tasmania people who are charged with a criminal offence are initially provided with less evidence than in other Australian jurisdictions. And it is only after a plea of not guilty is entered that the full prosecution is disclosed. Magistrate Marron ended by saying he does not hold it against defendants if they request to see the full file by pleading not guilty. Ms Burrows then entered a not guilty plea on behalf of her client. In a final parting shot the prosecutor applied for Mr Lehrmann to be forced to attend in person when the matter came back before court. The reasons why Mr Lehrmann appeared by phone were unclear but Magistrate Marron denied the application saying he could not see a good reason why Mr Lehrmann: 'Should be put through that.' The matter will next appear on September 19. Meanwhile Mr Lehrmann's continues to pursue an appeal against a defamation judgment against him, in Sydney. In 2023, Mr Lehrmann sued Network Ten and television presenter Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over a story that aired on the recently-cancelled show The Project. Justice Michael Lee found that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. A criminal prosecution against Mr Lehrmann was abandoned in October 2022 over juror misconduct. After finding it was true that Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins, Justice Lee later ordered him to pay $2 million worth of legal costs to Network Ten. Mr Lehrmann had a procedural win in his appeal in October last year, when Justice Wendy Abrahams – who is hearing his appeal - ordered he would not have to pay $200,000 of that money before his appeal proceeded. And because Mr Lehrmann is on Centrelink benefits, Justice Abrahams found any attempt to retrieve the money he owed Network Ten would simply bankrupt him. Justice Abrahams also allowed the appeal to go ahead without forcing Mr Lehrmann to put up money to secure the costs of Wilkinson and Network Ten.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Lehrmann enters plea in car theft case
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to stealing a car. Mr Lehrmann, 30, and his high-profile Sydney criminal lawyer, Zali Burrows, appeared via phone in Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. The first attempt to get Mr Lehrmann on the phone was unsuccessful with his lawyer saying he likely didn't answer because it was an unknown number. Magistrate Reg Marron told Ms Burrows: 'We've got a room full of people here ready to go, when we ring back please make sure he's ready to go.' Mr Lehrmann answered on the second attempt. Once everyone was on the call Ms Burrows proceeded to take issue with the material Tasmanian Police had provided her to date. Bruce Lehrmann (pictured in 2023) appeared in court via phone on Thursday. NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: NCA NewsWire She said the name of the complainant – Gail Oates – had been blacked out of the documents she had been provided. 'The present concern is the police statement redacts the name of Ms Oates,' she said. Ms Burrows said earlier media reports had included Ms Oates saying Mr Lehrmann allegedly stole her car and that these were: 'Sub-judice' and 'contempt'. She said she would be filing an application for a stay of proceedings. A stay of prosecution occurs when the case against a person has been prejudiced to the extent that it can not fairly proceed. State prosecutor Bune Kokeo said any application for a stay would be strongly opposed. He then submitted that Magistate Marron should request a plea. 'The issue right now is that the police have redacted the statement,' Ms Burrows said. 'I don't understand why it's such a national secret.' In response the prosecution tendered a list outlining all documents that had been provided to the defence to date. Magistrate Marron then told Ms Burrows things were different in Tasmania. 'Down here prosecution do things differently,' he said. He went on to say that in Tasmania people who are charged with a criminal offence are initially provided with less evidence than in other Australian jurisdictions. And it is only after a plea of not guilty is entered that the full prosecution is disclosed. Magistrate Marron ended by saying he does not hold it against defendants if they request to see the full file by pleading not guilty. Ms Burrows then entered a not guilty plea on behalf of her client. In a final parting shot the prosecutor applied for Mr Lehrmann to be forced to attend in person when the matter came back before court. The reasons why Mr Lehrmann appeared by phone were unclear but Magistrate Marron denied the application saying he could not see a good reason why Mr Lehrmann: 'Should be put through that.' Bruce Lehrmann (pictured in 2024) has been accused of stealing a car. NCA NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia The matter will next appear on September 19. Meanwhile Mr Lehrmann's continues to pursue an appeal against a defamation judgment against him, in Sydney. In 2023, Mr Lehrmann sued Network Ten and television presenter Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over a story that aired on the recently-cancelled show The Project. Justice Michael Lee found that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. A criminal prosecution against Mr Lehrmann was abandoned in October 2022 over juror misconduct. After finding it was true that Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins, Justice Lee later ordered him to pay $2 million worth of legal costs to Network Ten. Mr Lehrmann had a procedural win in his appeal in October last year, when Justice Wendy Abrahams – who is hearing his appeal - ordered he would not have to pay $200,000 of that money before his appeal proceeded. And because Mr Lehrmann is on Centrelink benefits, Justice Abrahams found any attempt to retrieve the money he owed Network Ten would simply bankrupt him. Justice Abrahams also allowed the appeal to go ahead without forcing Mr Lehrmann to put up money to secure the costs of Wilkinson and Network Ten.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Anmaat gives his all in honourable defeat
A shock 40-1 winner of the Qipco Champion Stakes over course and distance last season, the seven-year-old once again proved he belongs at the top-level when pushing the reopposing Los Angeles all the way on his return to action in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month. With improvement anticipated, hopes for Anmaat were high ahead of his return to Berkshire – but while he turned the tables on the 13-8 favourite Los Angeles, who was beaten into fifth, the Burrows runner had no answer to the finishing kick of 7-1 winner Ombudsman and had to make do with the silver medal. 'He's an absolute star and he's done us proud and there's not a lot of excuses really,' said Burrows. 'He's come there to win, just credit to John's horse who has picked up a bit better than us. 'There wasn't really a moment I thought he would win today and I thought more so in Ireland. He obviously travelled great, but I could see William (Buick) was in a bit of a pocket and was trying to get a bit of room and always looked like he had a little bit left. 'I think we know he has a preference for a bit of juice in the ground but Jim (Crowley) said I can't use that as an excuse. Possibly he can quicken on softer ground when others can't, but I'm not making any excuses.' Anmaat holds entries for both the Coral-Eclipse (Sandown, July 5) and Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Leopardstown, September 13), with York's Juddmonte International Stakes on August 20 also a plausible option. However, it is a Champion Stakes defence on October 19 which is prominent in Burrows' thoughts. 'The Eclipse has been mentioned but that may be too soon and we'll have to see how he comes out of this,' continued Burrows. 'Then there's York and the Irish Champion Stakes. But I think back here in October will be his main aim and all being well he should have some juice in the ground by then. 'He's run in two Group Ones now this season, finished second both times and not done an awful lot wrong. I'm very proud of him.' A place behind Anmaat in third was Andrew Balding's See The Fire, who was supplemented into the race at a cost of £70,000 after a runaway win at York in the Middleton Stakes. Another to be thrilled with his charge's performance, Balding now plans to return his star filly to competing against her own sex and she will now attempt to go one place better than last year's narrow second in the Qatar Nassau Stakes (July 31). 'I'm thrilled and it's probably a career-best performance,' said Balding. 'She'll have a little break now and head towards the Nassau which has always been her main objective really. She ran well in it last year and I think being back against her own sex will help her cause.' Meanwhile, Aidan O'Brien will give beaten favourite Los Angeles a full MOT after tasting defeat for the first time this season. He added: 'We'll take him back and see how he is. You wouldn't take anything away from the others but you wouldn't think that wasn't his true running. 'The King George might come a bit quick after a run like that, Jan Brueghel might come into that job.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Anmaat gives his all in honourable defeat
A shock 40-1 winner of the Qipco Champion Stakes over course and distance last season, the seven-year-old once again proved he belongs at the top-level when pushing the reopposing Los Angeles all the way on his return to action in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month. With improvement anticipated, hopes for Anmaat were high ahead of his return to Berkshire – but while he turned the tables on the 13-8 favourite Los Angeles, who was beaten into fifth, the Burrows runner had no answer to the finishing kick of 7-1 winner Ombudsman and had to make do with the silver medal. 'He's an absolute star and he's done us proud and there's not a lot of excuses really,' said Burrows. 'He's come there to win, just credit to John's horse who has picked up a bit better than us. 'There wasn't really a moment I thought he would win today and I thought more so in Ireland. He obviously travelled great, but I could see William (Buick) was in a bit of a pocket and was trying to get a bit of room and always looked like he had a little bit left. 'I think we know he has a preference for a bit of juice in the ground but Jim (Crowley) said I can't use that as an excuse. Possibly he can quicken on softer ground when others can't, but I'm not making any excuses.' Anmaat holds entries for both the Coral-Eclipse (Sandown, July 5) and Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Leopardstown, September 13), with York's Juddmonte International Stakes on August 20 also a plausible option. However, it is a Champion Stakes defence on October 19 which is prominent in Burrows' thoughts. 'The Eclipse has been mentioned but that may be too soon and we'll have to see how he comes out of this,' continued Burrows. 'Then there's York and the Irish Champion Stakes. But I think back here in October will be his main aim and all being well he should have some juice in the ground by then. 'He's run in two Group Ones now this season, finished second both times and not done an awful lot wrong. I'm very proud of him.' A place behind Anmaat in third was Andrew Balding's See The Fire, who was supplemented into the race at a cost of £70,000 after a runaway win at York in the Middleton Stakes. Another to be thrilled with his charge's performance, Balding now plans to return his star filly to competing against her own sex and she will now attempt to go one place better than last year's narrow second in the Qatar Nassau Stakes (July 31). 'I'm thrilled and it's probably a career-best performance,' said Balding. 'She'll have a little break now and head towards the Nassau which has always been her main objective really. She ran well in it last year and I think being back against her own sex will help her cause.' Meanwhile, Aidan O'Brien will give beaten favourite Los Angeles a full MOT after tasting defeat for the first time this season. He added: 'We'll take him back and see how he is. You wouldn't take anything away from the others but you wouldn't think that wasn't his true running. 'The King George might come a bit quick after a run like that, Jan Brueghel might come into that job.'
