‘Constitutional Carry’ Bill Close To Becoming Law
It is a near certainty that Texans will be allowed to carry handguns without a license in the near future as House Bill 1927 passed both chambers and heads to a conference committee to hash out amendments added in the Senate version.
Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would sign the bill, which means Texans would no longer be required to obtain a license to carry a handgun either openly or concealed.
Ultimate passage of the bill means Texas would join at least 20 other states with similar laws.
A University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll indicates most Texans oppose unlicensed carry and support criminal and mental background checks before all gun sales.
Drought Conditions Continue to Improve
Much-needed rain in April has continued to ease drought conditions, according to the Texas Water Development Board.
Midland, for example, received 2.2 inches last month, more than the previous six months combined. Right now, 65% of the state is experiencing drought conditions, mainly in South and West Texas.
More rainfall in early May should improve the drought situation even more, according to TWDB.
Oak Trees Recovering From Storm
Winter Storm Uri didn’t just wreak havoc on homeowners and businesses that suffered from broken pipes and the extended power outage. The Texas A&M Forest Service notes that oak trees across the state are slow in leafing out, prompting many property owners to contact horticulturists, worried their trees have died.
Maybe so, maybe not, says veteran TFS forester Courtney Blevins. He advises property owners to wait before taking down an oak tree that still might come to life. “I think most of the oaks are going to come through okay,” Blevins said. “If your tree is leafing out really late, it’s obviously stressed. But most trees die from a combination of stressors, not just one thing.”
Blevins and longtime horticulturist and syndicated columnist Neil Sperry both say there is no hurry to take down an oak tree, even it is actually dead. The best time to plant is in the fall or early winter, and even dead trees rarely pose an immediate danger. “If your tree is dead, there’s no rush to take it
“If your tree is dead, there’s no rush to take it down,” Blevins said. “That’s one big mistake people are making. They’re in a big hurry to take that thing down, thinking it’s dangerous to leave a dead tree standing, and it’s not.”