Early Primary Voting Starts on Valentine’s Day

Early voting in the March 1 primary begins on Feb. 14 and runs through Feb. 25. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Feb. 18.

There are seven statewide seats on the ballot: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, comptroller and one seat on the railroad commission. Winners in the Republican and Democratic primaries will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.

GOP incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott faces seven primary opponents, while five candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination, with the best-known being Beto O’ Rourke, a former candidate for U.S. Senate and the presidency.

In addition, congressional and state legislative races will be on the ballot, as well as county positions. Readers can find out who is on the ballot where they are registered to vote on the Texas secretary of state’s website: votetexas.gov.

Board Awards $26.2 Million in Grants

A total of 60 Texas higher education institutions will share $26.2 million in grants awarded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The grants will help Texans gain higher-paying jobs by earning postsecondary credentials to be made available through two programs: the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant and the Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program.

The Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant provides emergency financial support to students whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as displaced workers seeking training to return to the workforce and students who dropped out of higher education prior to the pandemic but are looking to return.

The Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program allows institutions to create or expand short-term, industry-recognized postsecondary credentials that incorporate skills and knowledge required by high-demand careers that stem from digital skills, data analytics, and front-line healthcare programs, according to the THECB news release.

“To remain competitive, we must lead the nation at producing credentials of value that meet the needs of our fast-growing economy,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “We need to emphasize the importance of credentials that are affordable, attainable, and bring value to the lives of all Texans.