1. Sample ballots are posted, and the voter registration deadline is approaching
Collin County residents must register to vote by Oct. 11 for the Nov. 8 election. Early voting begins Oct. 24 and ends on Nov. 4. The last day for Collin County residents to apply for a ballot by mail is Oct. 28. Sample ballots have also been released and can be found here.
2. Local chamber of commerce joins lawsuit against the federal government
The Plano Chamber of Commerce has joined a lawsuit challenging a new overtime law passed by the Department of Labor. Currently, full-time, salaried workers making $23,660 or more per year do not qualify for overtime pay. Under the rule, the salary level changes to $47,476 or more per year in 2016. The new rule goes into effect Dec. 1.
“The new overtime rule will limit workplace flexibility, impede career and promotion opportunities, and will make it harder for businesses and nonprofits to expand to meet the needs of their customers and constituents, in addition to imposing significant new economic costs,” said Jamee Jolly, president and CEO of the Plano Chamber of Commerce.
3. Council to hear rezoning requests during tonight's regular meeting
Plano City Council will hold several public hearings tonight during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Items for discussion include a resolution to authorize an amendment to the 2015-19 Citizen Participation Plan for the use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant. Other hearings include a rezoning request on 34 acres of land at the southeast corner of Preston Road and Rasor Boulevard to allow for single-family and multifamily residences.
A preliminary meeting will take place in the Municipal Center’s chambers immediately following Council’s 5 p.m. executive session. Items on the preliminary meeting agenda include a report from Dallas Area Rapid Transit and an update on the Engineering Department’s traffic signal timing study.
4. Collin College holds passport series with a trip to Iceland
The Collin College Spring Creek Campus hosts its next installment of “Passport to the World” with Dr. Rebecca Burton Sept. 28 as she shares information about her trip to Iceland’s rugged landscape and its unique culture. The free presentation takes place from noon-1 p.m. at the college’s Living Legends Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. Light samples of Icelandic cuisine will be served, but attendees are welcome to bring in their own lunches as well. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.
5. State Sen. Van Taylor to hold property tax public hearing Oct. 3
The Senate Property Tax Reform and Relief Committee will hold a public hearing Oct. 3 at the Collin College Spring Creek Campus in Plano. State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, said he requested the committee hold a hearing in Collin County to hear directly from local homeowners affected by rising property taxes.
The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. in the Living Legends Conference Center on the campus, located at 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway. Residents may offer public testimony during the public hearing about their experiences, thoughts, and/or opinions on the property tax system in Texas. People wishing to testify should be prepared for long waits potentially lasting up to several hours, Taylor said. For questions about the public hearing, contact Taylor’s office at 972-398-9416.
