By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Students at more public universities in Texas could vote to charge themselves a few bucks so the schools can go greener. The proposed environmental friendly funds were approved by referendums this month at the University of Texas and Texas A&M.
Students at Texas-El Paso , the University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at San Antonio face similar votes in April.
Regents would have to approve the fees, $5 a semester at UT and $3 a semester at A&M, before the green funds could take effect. The fees could be added to 2011 tuition bills.
The money could be used for environmentally minded measures such as subsidizing internships at green-related jobs. A 2009 state law allows allowing public colleges and universities in Texas to establish such fees if they are supported by the student body.
Dallas police shoot family disturbance suspect
Dallas police say a struggle between officers and a family disturbance suspect left the man dead from police gunfire.
The incident happened at a house in the Casa View section of eastern Dallas just after 5 a.m. Sunday. According to a police department statement, officers arriving at the scene entered the house and were confronted by the armed man. Police say the man struggled to disarm one of the three officers, prompting the officer to fatally shoot the man.
Police Sr. Cpl. Gerardo Monreal tells WFAA-TV of Dallas and Fort Worth that the man's identity isn't yet available, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation.
More illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition rates
Thousands of illegal immigrants paid in-state tuition or received other financial aid at public colleges and universities across Texas during late 2009.
Figures from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board show about 1 percent of all Texas college students, in the fall semester, benefited from a 2001 law granting such in-state tuition.
The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that the figure topped 12,000 students who are illegal immigrants, not legal permanent residents or not U.S. citizens. A challenge to the state law was filed in December by the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas.
The law requires students to attend school in the state for at least three years before graduation from a Texas high school. Students also must file an affidavit saying they plan to seek permanent residency.
State offers help to young farmers
Texas has joined a federal effort to offer low-interest loans to beginning farmers.
The state's Young Farmer Grant program is funded by fees from farm license plates and aims to help farmers from ages 18 to 46 start or expand their agricultural businesses
The Austin American Statesman reports that Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples issued the first grants from the program last month. A total of $100,000 in matching grants went to 13 young farmers who put up $10,000 of their own money.
Staples says the program aims to encourage more young people to take up farming at a time when more than 80 percent of the state's farmers are older than age 45.
The Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has managed similar loan program at the federal level since 1992.