‘Sine Die’
The Texas Legislature wrapped up the 89th Regular Session on June 2nd, 2025. This day is often called “sine die,” a Latin term that means “without day.” It refers to the final adjournment of a session of a legislative body because they don’t set a date to meet next. The Governor has 20 days to sign or veto bills that passed during the regular session. Most bills will become law on September 1st unless otherwise specified.
Cass County had success this session through the motor fuels tax exemption for counties legislation which ultimately reduces tax churn and reduces spending. We also successfully passed legislation renaming State Highway 11/49 between Hughes Springs and Dangerfield after US Army Staff Sergeant Sam T. Castle.
Other legislative initiatives this session included asking for reauthorization of the County Transportation Improvement Funding for county roads as well as creating a grant to help support rural ambulance service.
Building Resilient Communities Through Personal Responsibility in Disaster Preparedness Natural disasters—whether hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or floods—can strike with little warning and have devastating consequences. While emergency services and government agencies play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, the strength of a community often lies in the actions of its individual members.
When citizens take personal responsibility for preparing for natural disasters, they not only protect themselves and their families, but also contribute to the resilience and recovery capacity of the entire community.
Preparedness begins at home. Simple actions like assembling emergency kits, creating family communication plans, securing property, and staying informed about local risks significantly increase a household’s ability to withstand and respond to disasters.
These proactive steps reduce dependence on emergency responders, who may be overwhelmed in the critical first hours or days following a disaster. When more individuals are self-sufficient, response efforts can be directed where they are needed most—toward the most vulnerable populations.
Moreover, informed and prepared citizens are more likely to assist neighbors, share resources, and communicate vital information. These grassroots networks are often the first line of defense in any crisis.
For example, neighbors who check on elderly residents or help clear debris after a storm are doing more than offering kindness—they are accelerating community recovery. When people know how to respond, they become assets rather than additional burdens in emergency situations.
Preparedness also fosters a culture of awareness and mutual support. When schools, businesses, and community groups promote disaster readiness, it normalizes planning and encourages wider participation.
Community members who take initiative—hosting preparedness workshops, volunteering with emergency response teams, or simply talking with neighbors about evacuation plans—help spread knowledge and reduce fear. This collective mindset transforms individuals into a connected, proactive force capable of facing challenges together.
Research supports the idea that communities with higher levels of individual preparedness recover more quickly from disasters. These communities experience fewer casualties, reduced property damage, and faster economic rebound. Importantly, they also exhibit higher morale and lower levels of trauma, as people feel empowered rather than helpless in the face of crisis.
Taking personal responsibility doesn’t require extreme measures. It starts with awareness, continues with planning, and is reinforced through action. When individuals understand that their actions ripple outward, influencing their families, neighborhoods, and communities, they are more likely to engage.
Personal preparedness is more than just an individual safety measure—it is a foundational element of community resilience. Every citizen who takes the initiative to prepare contributes to a collective safety net that can withstand and recover from disasters more effectively. As natural disasters become increasingly common and severe, fostering a culture of preparedness is not just wise—it is essential. Strong communities are built on strong individuals, and the path to resilience begins with personal responsibility.
Damage Survey
The Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Survey is for citizens to input reports of uninsured damage to their residential, commercial, or agricultural property.
Citizens can submit reports through their cell phone or through the website from their home computer.
Communities can become more resilient when people get involved in building capacity and planning for the unexpected.
FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) develops and provides trainings for volunteers and local organizations to support their community during mergencies of all kinds.
Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) When community-based organizations (CBOs) such as food pantries, daycares and non-profits are unable to sustain operations during an emergency, people who rely on them are exponentially impacted.
The Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) training is designed to empower these organizations to better prepare for incidents with ten preparedness actions and guidance on developing disaster response plans.
You Are the Help Until Help Arrives Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby.
The You Are the Help Until Help Arrives training teaches people how to save a life by taking simple actions immediately.
Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) Basic
The CERT Basic Training includes research-validated guidance for CERT programs to teach members what to do before, during, and after the hazards their communities may face.
The course FEMA Independent Study IS317: Introduction to CERT can be taken online before or during training.
Texas Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program
The Railroad Commission of Texas is looking to help landowners who have abandoned underground or surface mining features on their property. Properties eligible for funds can get those mining features reclaimed and restored through the Texas AML Program. If you have features such as sinkholes, mine shafts, depressions, mine equipment, gob piles or highwalls and suspect they may have been caused by past mining activities, please contact Katherine Upham, Abandoned Mine Land Program Surface Mining and Reclamation Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas at 512-939-6046 or AML@rrc.texas. gov.
Cass County Property Fraud Alert Program Property Fraud Alert Program notifies Cass County landowners whenever a lien or other transaction is filed in Cass County with their name. This helps prevent prevents fraud. Notifications can be sent via text and email. Click the button to sign up. It’s free!
Upcoming Events
Eastern Cass County School Retirees Association - every second Tuesday of each month from January through May at Queen City Methodist Church at 10 a.m.
Cass County Commissioners Court, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m., Historic Cass County Courthouse, in downtown Linden.
Atlanta City Council, Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 315 N. Buckner in Atlanta.
Avinger City Council, Meetings are held the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Avinger City Hall at 6 North Main Street.
Hughes Springs City Council - Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall located at 603 East 1st Street in Hughes Springs.
Linden City Council - Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Mary Daugherty Senior Citizens Center, 507 S. Kaufman in Linden.
Queen City Council - Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 601 Loop 236, Queen City.
Reach out to my office — P.O. Box 825 • Linden, TX 75563 Phone: 903-756-5181, Ext. 0 Fax: 903-756-5732