WASHINGTON, DC – Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan youth advocacy organization, is announcing its Millennial Jobs Report for July 2013. The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18-29 year olds:
The effective (U6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds, which adjusts for labor force participation by including those who have given up looking for work, is 16.1 percent (NSA).
The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.8 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.
The (U3) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds is 11.6 percent (NSA). The (U3) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans is 20.9 percent (NSA); the (U3) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics is 12.4 percent (NSA); and the (U3) unemployment rate for 18–29 year old women is 10.8 percent (NSA). Evan Feinberg, President of Generation Opportunity, issued the following statement:
“Looks like another bad month for young people. Last week we learned from Gallup that only 43.6% of 18-29 year olds are employed full-time and now we have another Millennial Jobs Report showing roughly 1 in 6 18-29 year olds are out of work entirely.
The CDC of Freedmen’s Town is inviting the public to become a part of an historic discussion taking place right now across America – where citizens like you get to learn about renting, buying and maintaining a home, how to use the credit bureaus to benefit you and how to be a productive consumer.
And your voice does matter. Your opinions will help implement an informed citizens’ action plan that will save you money, make better decisions when making purchases and whether you rent or own a home, you will be in a position to negotiate a better deal with a banker, merchant or anywhere you spend your money.
This is a chance for you to help shape reinvestment into your household and community. It is a chance to get the facts, weigh the tradeoffs, and tell your leadership exactly how you want your economic system to change.
This is a discussion that can’t happen without you. Your voice does matter. Other Sponsors and Presenters are: CDC of Freedmen’s Town, Affordable Carpets, LLC dba Carpet Depot, BCBO Housing Experts and Presentation by banks, informational handouts and more.
The workshop is FREE and open to the public. Plan to participate in the Housing Workshop, Saturday, August 10, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 815 Crosby Street, Houston Housing Authority Center. For more information, call 713 742 6995
WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, announced that the Houston Airports System has been identified to participate in reimbursable fee agreements through the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP):
“I am pleased to announce that CBP is moving forward with a number of public/private partnerships to help support growth in cross-border trade and travel. Houston Airports System has been identified to participate in one of these partnerships.
As the former Chairwoman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee, I want to thank Secretary Janet Napolitano and CBP Acting Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski for their hard work on seeing this important initiative through. These services are important to the residents of Houston and they are very much a part of the security of the airport and the extra services are needed in these airports. It is important to continue the federal public/private partnership. This is a positive investment in dollars.
“These authorities afford CBP greater flexibility to work together with our stakeholders to support growth in trade and travel. These partnerships will allow CBP to provide new or additional services, maximizing our resources and encouraging the growth of our national economy while addressing the challenges of our complex mission. The reimbursable services proposals were reviewed and based on criteria including: impact on current CBP operations, health and safety issues, community and economic benefits, and the feasibility of instituting the agreements in a timely manner.
These reimbursable services will go to overtime staffing increase at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.”
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently began offering Veterans evening and weekend mental health appointments as part of an initiative to improve access and convenience for area Veterans. MEDVAMC’s Mental Health Care Line now provides after-hours therapy groups, individual assessments and follow-up appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays.
“The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is committed to increasing health care access for our Veterans,” said Adam C. Walmus, M.H.A., M.A., F.A.C.H.E., MEDVAMC director. “The new extended hours will help us in that goal by offering more convenient clinic hours for those who are unable to make appointments during our normal business hours.”
In addition, the VA’s Beaumont Outpatient clinic recently began offering extended hours for Primary Care and Behavioral Medicine appointments on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays.
The extended VA clinic hours are for Veterans who have scheduled appointments. Veterans should contact their respective clinic facility at the numbers below to schedule an appointment.
Since the creation of the sales tax holiday, Texans have saved $700.5 million.
In 1999, I authored major tax relief legislation which created the three-day sales tax holiday, eliminated the sales tax on over-the-counter medicines, and cut some business taxes. The tax holiday is designed to give hard-working Texans a tax break on necessities such as back-to-school clothing. In addition to clothes, footwear, and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100, purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.
Texas has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the United States at 8.25 percent. According to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, Texas has the fifth most regressive tax system in the nation. High sales taxes hit low-income and elderly Texans the hardest, forcing our low-income citizens to pay up to six times more of their income in sales taxes than more affluent Texans. In fact, while the top 20 percent on the income scale pay less than 3.4 percent of their family income in sales taxes, the bottom 20 percent pay a whopping 8.5 percent. The sales tax holiday helps alleviate some of the burden by giving all Texans the opportunity to buy socks, shoes, jeans, shirts, skirts, sweaters and other back-to-school necessities tax-free.
2013 Sales Tax Holiday, August 9-11
All inclusive list of qualifying school supplies and other items (if priced less than $100).
Binders Book bags Calculators Cellophane tape Blackboard chalk Compasses Composition books Crayons Erasers Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila Glue, paste and paste sticks Highlighters Index cards Index card boxes Legal pads Lunch boxes Markers (including dry erase markers) Notebooks Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes Pencil sharpeners Pencils Pens Protractors Rulers Scissors Writing tablets
(Austin, Texas) – Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) today joined Representative Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) and advocates urging low-income Texans to sign up for LITE-UP Texas energy bill assistance before the August 10, 2013 deadline.
The LITE-UP Texas program is designed to help qualified low-income individuals who live in areas where they can choose their own electricity provider to reduce their monthly cost of electric service. During this year’s regular session, the 83rd Texas Legislature made profound changes to this program, increasing the discount from 16.5 percent to 82 percent. The 82 percent discount will be effective for this September and also for May, June, July and August of 2014.
“Time is running out for low-income and elderly Texans to get the help they need to keep the power on in late summer,” said Ellis. “We are here to spread the word to make sure that Texans know there is help on the way.”
In 1999 the legislature created the System Benefit Fund to help low-income Texans pay summer energy bills when Texas deregulated electric utility companies. The Fund’s goal was to assist the least fortunate Texans in braving the summer heat, and as temperatures across the state soar to increasingly high levels, that mission is more critical than ever. Unfortunately, this session, the legislature ended the surcharge on customers’ electricity bills but took steps to provide a discount on customers’ September electricity bills for 2013 and May through August bills for 2014. According to the Public Utility Commission, about 500,000 Texans received aid from the System Benefit Fund to help pay their summer bills.
Since the creation of the System Benefit Fund, the legislature has often neglected to use the full balance to help Texans pay their summer electric bills, instead redirecting the balance to shore up budget shortfalls. For instance, in 2011 $650 million was left in the Fund instead of distributed to senior and needy Texans.
“I opposed the reverse Robin Hood plan to take from the poor,” said Ellis. “The System Benefit Fund was created for the explicit purpose of helping low-income Texans pay rising energy bills after electric deregulation. That’s where the money should be going and where Texans want it to go. Unfortunately, our side did not prevail, but at least there is the silver lining that Texans will receive a bigger discount this summer and in 2014, so Texans need to take advantage of it while they can.”
The residents of Hiram Clarke may want to keep their fingers crossed as the push to put a tax increment redevelopment zone (TIRZ) in the area is becoming more of a reality.
City Council representative of District K, Larry Green has led the charge of redeveloping the area. His work has given hope to many of his constituents that a better economic development area could be on its way.
Citizens came out to speak to City Council on Wednesday morning, July 31, 2013, showing support and desire for a TIRZ in their area. Linda Scurlock, a citizen of Hiram Clarke, told council that Hiram Clark has a bad reputation but if they would just come out and see the community they would think differently.
There is raw and undeveloped land in District K and Vice Mayor Pro- Tem C.O. Bradford addressed the issue by asking, how will the city treat the area? Bradford reminded the supporters of the TIRZ that showed up at the council meeting of the importance of nurturing a new development to make sure it is safe, productive and regulated. Mayor Parker said the area is “ripe for development and ready for it” at her weekly press conference. With the hopes of participation from Fort Bend, as most of the area is within their boundaries, the TIRZ can definitely happen. The more tax dollars that come in, the can be more done as far as infrastructure.
The city and people have to be all in for the TIRZ to work as they both have to scout for business opportunities to move into the newly developed area. The mayor is aware that the Hiram Clarke area is considered a food desert, which can be a great proponent to bring in 380 deals with businesses that may solve that problem. This TIRZ 25 project will be heard about again as Green and his constituents have come to say that new development is needed and wanted in the Hiram Clarke area.
Community members from the greater Old Spanish Trail (OST) area filled Judge Zinetta Burney’s courtroom on the second floor of the Palm Center to the max as they questioned city officials and Marlon Mitchell of the Houston Business Development Inc. about the rumored closure of Palm Center.
Palm Center is a staple for the greater OST region as a place of economic development. Ken Bolton, former Assistant Director of Economic Development for the city of Houston’s Housing and Community Development, addressed the assembled first about the vision for Palm Center for the past 25 years as a place for revitalization and business development. Bolton went on to say that the Palm Center is an engine for economic development and wherever economic development is there is money.
Councilmember Wanda Adams quickly approached the crowd to offer her support and to publicly say she stands with the community she represents in District D.
“I offer my commitment as an elected leader,” said Adams. “There is no way there are any plans to sell Palm Center.”
For there to be a sale of Palm Center it would be up to a city council vote and Councilwoman Adams strongly said there won’t be any support for it amongst her colleagues.
Elected officials and hopefuls from around the city took turns trying to quiet the concerns of the people assembled. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee called as she was in Washington at the time to say that the federal dollars she allowed to trickle down for Palm Center would not just fade away in vain.
“I will fight to make sure there is no sale to Palm Center,” said Lee. “A change to Palm Center won’t be tolerated.”
The city of Houston Housing Department represented Mayor Parker. They presented a letter from Neal Rackleff, Director of Housing and Community Development, stating that the City has placed Land Use Restrictions (Restrictive Covenants) on the Palm Center for a period of 20 years “to insure that HBDI will use the Palm Center Project for economic development purposes” and that HBDI may “not sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Palm Center Project Property, without the prior approval of City Council and if “HBDI agrees that its failure to abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the Restrictive Covenants … will result in a default. The city of Houston will enforce the contract in order to make sure a sale of Palm Center doesn’t happen.
Carroll Robinson, Board Trustee, District IV Houston Community College spoke to HCC’s role in the rumored closure of Palm Center’s closure. Originally Palm Center was a target area for the westward expansion of HCC’s campuses but the proposal did not make much headway with HBDI and HCC will expand in the Medical Center.
At this point is where the confusion set in for the proposal from HCC was a main catalyst for concern about the future of Palm Center. Leaders such as Judge Zinetta Burney and Constable May Walker of Precinct 7, whom have their offices located in the Palm Center, both declared that HCC could not make a home inside Palm Center even though they are champions for growth in the area.
“I was told by high level people that HCC wants to buy Palm Center,” said Burney. “I hope HCC puts a campus nearby just not at the Palm Center.”
The entertaining of the idea of closure cause for serious upset and Constable Walker demanded to know what the plans would be for Palm Center stating that everyone needed to know what was going on.
For now Palm Center is safe. There will be no sale of the facility but across the street there will be a state of the art, two story library built with $6 million from the HISD bond that was voted on in last November’s election. The Young Branch Library will break ground in June 2014.
Another Costco will arrive near Houston very soon as city council carried the vote to allow the development of a Costco inside of their extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).
As a part of Mayor Parker’s 380 program which is set up to bring businesses into the Houston proper limits to stimulate economic growth, Costco will become the newest business to join in.
All members of city council did not find this agreement a good move as At-Large Position 2 city councilmember Andrew Burks and Vice Mayor Pro-Tem C.O. Bradford both voted no on the deal.
For Burks veterans weighed heavily as the issue why he voted not to enter into an incentive deal with Costco. As a veteran, Burks stated he has a problem when he knows veterans are out looking for jobs or work and it seems like they are not playing on a level field.
“What I ask for with Costco is to go to a system in which the federal government uses for hiring veterans, not employment just an application,” said Burks.
Councilmember Burks addressed his colleagues and said he resents how regardless of what is said in council the contract is final and nothing can be added to it such as the veteran or summer job programs incentive in order to enter into the agreement.
“I was duly elected to work for the citizens of Houston and when it comes to someone on the outside not elected in my place making deals and then telling me we can’t do anything or add or take away but they need my approval and our approval to do it; I think its wrong, therefore I’m going to vote no,” said Burks.
Mayor Parker added after Burks comments that the item came before council in May which gave council members such as At- Large Position 3 City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega time to meet with the administration repeatedly to learn more about the issue.
Costco had many locations they were scouting to develop. The location for the Costco will not be inside Houston city limits but north of Interstate-10 yet it will still be in the ETJ.
Aldi’s Sugarland location before their soft opening.
Myra Griffin The Houston Sun
ALDI opens up nine discount grocery stores on April 11, 2013 in the greater Houston Area. On April 9th the ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Sugarland store located at 10402 Hwy 6 South, Sugarland, TX 77498, where a large crowd gathered waiting to see the inside of the new addition to their community.
ALDI is a discount grocery that has been in business since 1976 with locations primarily in the Midwest and East. Branching out into Texas three years ago starting in Dallas, ALDI opened 40 stores in North Texas. Now the Houston market is next to join the ALDI shopping experience and is slated to open nine stores on Thursday, April 11, 15 total by the end of the year and 30 in two years time. The areas that will welcome the new stores will be Pearland, Katy, Sugarland, Humble, Pasadena and Spring. Based out of Batavia, Illinois; ALDI has about 1200 stores.
“We serve all demographics and income levels,” said Karla Waddleton, Director of Operations, ALDI Sugarland. “Our customer is a smart shopper who wants to save money and they’re able to save money with us. If that means they can buy more groceries or save for an extra vacation that year that’s what we find successful.”
What makes ALDI unique from other grocers is primarily price. Their claim is to have the highest quality at the lowest possible price. Upon taking a tour of the store with an ALDI representative, The Sun found the produce is extremely competitive in price and that helps keep ALDI in the competition.
“Many national grocers are leaving communities. I’m so excited that there is a national grocer that is coming into this market that looks for communities, sees the value and opportunity and makes a big capital investment in those communities,” Grady Prestage, Commissioner of Precinct 2 Fort Bend. “I hope the community will reciprocate and support the store and as the store grows so will the community.”
ALDI is thriving in Dallas and has high hopes for the 2ND largest market in Texas which is Houston. “We really think we are going to do great here for the same reason since there are so many smart shoppers in Houston that want that same high quality product and value,” said ALDI representative.
ALDI offers a different shopping experience that allots a quick and cheaper run to the store. The shopping experience of ALDI is quite simple, its stream line shopping, five aisles, a quick shop and once customers get to know the ALDI exclusive brands you’re in and out in pretty much a flash. Customers can grab a cart through the quarter cart system, which representatives say, saves on paying someone to gather baskets.
“Carts aren’t in the parking lot dinging cars and it’s a simple quarter deposit put quarter in do your shopping bring cart back put the chain back in and it pushes the quarter back out,” according to ALDI. “ALDI operates on a smart business model that allows them to have lower prices. It starts with the way the products are displayed, we have an open palette display, efficient workers, easy restocking methods,” said an ALDI representative. “We don’t take credit cards so that saves on cost. We only accept cash, debit, EBT, but no checks. We encourage shoppers to bring their own bags. It’s an eco friendly approach and it saves on baggage clerks and if bags are forgotten they can buy an eco friendly bag for $1.99 or a very durable plastic bag for ¢.10.”
Customers also have to bag their on groceries which provide savings that allows the store to have such cheaper prices. Special buys change weekly that are range from 20 to 40 non- food products. The products are advertised either on Sunday or Wednesday depending on the location in the circular. The products change weekly and are seasonal such as rugs, pillows, Swiffer wet jets, steam mops by Easy Home, vacuums, air conditioning filters, shelving, and gardening appliances.
ALDI’s food source is sourced locally whenever possible while partnering with the nations leading food suppliers to get the freshest and most high quality products. They have their chocolates and wines imported from various places such as New Zealand, California, Argentina, Germany and most bottles are priced $6.99 or less.
The have fresh meat, although there isn’t a butcher on site but it is pre-packaged at the ultimate fresh standards with a 25-50 percent price difference. ALDI’s cheeses range from standard to gourmet especially with the new selected line that debuted in the beginning of April. Happy Farms, an ALDI brand, is everyday cheeses and cold cut cheeses. ALDI also has a fit and active line which is low calorie, lower sodium, lower fat and that weaves throughout the store in selections such as lunch meats, salad dressings, and frozen foods. Prices are cheaper as you will see prices like a $1.89 for a gallon of milk, and .79 for a dozen eggs. These are every day and continuous for these prices.
ALDI stores carry mostly their own exclusive brands and that’s another part of this whole efficiency model and how the savings come back to the customers in the end. ALDI produces their own product along with their partnership with food suppliers. ALDI has award winning products such as 14 of their wines, Lullabies Moist Wipes, Nature’s Nectar Juice, Moser- Roth Dark Chocolate Collection, Savoritz Sea Salt Pita Bite Crackers, Belmont Turtle Pie and many more products.
“We have a test kitchen at Batavia, the headquarters which is 40 miles west of Chicago. We have test kitchen chefs that rigorously test the products every day to ensure they’re meeting or exceeding the quality of the name brands,” said an ALDI representative. “When they do they are approved to be put on the shelves for our customers.” For the food that doesn’t meet or exceed the national leading brands such as M&M’s or Pringles they have them in store.
ALDI is confident in their products and offers a double guarantee of its food products. If you try a food product and think its not up to your standards you can bring it back without a receipt and be refunded in cash and given another product of equal or lesser value. The ALDI theory is maybe that particular one is a miss but you’re going to love something else.
All nine ALDI discount grocery stores are open throughout Houston. The locations are 10402 Hwy. 6 South, Sugarland, TX 77498, 2009 S. Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450, 11510 Broadway, Pearland, TX 77584, 6900 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX 77346 , 13340 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77086, 2302 FM 2920 Rd., Spring, TX 77388, 5930 Fry Rd., Katy, TX 77449 and 4140 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77504.
