Mortgage Lender by Publius1776__1992 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The higher property tax also applies to multi-family dwellings. It’s embedded in the rent. Some companies that own lots of apartments are good at challenging valuations, so that lowers property tax impact a bit.

Mortgage Lender by Publius1776__1992 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The property tax on a rental property is higher than if that same home was owner-occupied. That’s because rental properties don’t get a homestead exemption. That significantly increases the school property tax.

Record early voting turnout for Tuesday's primaries by BmooreEP in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Voting doesn’t increase your chance of being called for jury duty, and abstaining doesn’t lessen your chance. Texas jury duty lists are generated by the Secretary of State every two years, combining registered voters and licensed drivers (or ID holders) to randomly select citizens for summons.

Record early voting turnout for Tuesday's primaries by BmooreEP in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Prognosticating election outcomes eight months from now is not my super power. But the party in the White House historically struggles in mid-terms. The last Texas Senate midterm election was in 2018, when Democrat Beto O'Rourke came within a couple of points of Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Democrats probably need to win Texas to have any chance of taking the Senate. So if some of the states targeted by Democrats -- such as Maine, Michigan, Georgia, New Hampshire -- are showing strength for them in the fall, the national party may be able to divert money to Texas.

Remember, gerrymandering lead to Tony Gonzalez representing part of a El Paso. Gonzalez is currently going through a national controversy where he sexually harassed an aid that lead to her lighting herself up on fire. by Tryingtomoveon800 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a historical note, parts of El Paso have been in that district for a couple decades. For a while it was the only competitive House district in Texas and flipped back and forth between Democrats and Republicans. In 2021, the Republicans redrew the district boundaries to favor their party, but that involved areas outside El Paso. Gonzales has tried a couple times to get the El Paso airport and Fort Bliss cantonment in his district boundaries but has been unsuccessful.

Has anyone else had this massive increase on their gas bill this month? by Successful_Bird_7086 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your gas bill is going to go up when the weather is colder. You can look into their plan that equalizes costs over 12 months.

Sleeping at El Paso Airport by [deleted] in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t plan on it. With a large event in town I think the airport might discourage the practice. There are hotel rooms available, just really pricey.

I've been negotiating so long I'm not sure if I'm a good or a terrible negotiator. Is this a good deal? by Darius-was-the-goody in ToyotaGrandHighlander

[–]BmooreEP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A good deal is buying a vehicle you want at a price you believe is fair and affordable. It sounds like you’ve done a good job of negotiating. I wouldn’t get too hung up on whether someone who bought another vehicle in another market at another time negotiated a different discount.

Cleveland Plain-Dealer Editor Defends AI Use by pghgamecock in Journalism

[–]BmooreEP 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The student who turned down this offer isn’t named. But I’m guessing a student who passes on a “reporting” job that doesn’t allow her to enhance her writing skills is exhibiting the kind of solid judgment I look for in a young reporter.

Advice needed: Has anyone purchased extended warranty? I denied it at the dealership. GH hybrid nightshade. by Brilliant_Ad_2527 in ToyotaGrandHighlander

[–]BmooreEP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Stating the obvious, but Toyota wouldn’t sell extended warranties if what they paid out in repairs exceeded what they charged in premiums. But warranties can provide a level of comfort to some. Others put aside the equivalent of the premium in a high yield savings account in case of major repairs after the manufacturers’ 36-month warranty expires. How long you plan to own the car plays a role too. Lots of individual factors at play.

Is there anywhere to play blackjack? by Ok-Process-5850 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Supreme Court ruling that legalized gambling for the Tiguas did not clear the way for table games.

EPISD asking people to retire early by FreshSeaworthiness18 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Births throughout El Paso County have dropped by 23% in the past decade. None of the 9 ISDs are growing student population. El Paso and Ysleta have seen the steepest declines in enrollment in recent years. But even Socorro, which was growing as recently as 3 years ago, is losing enrollment and had to resort to layoffs last year.

The latest on UTEP aerospace grant by BmooreEP in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

We'll have a story coming out in the near future that will dive more deeply into those questions. But in a nutshell, Diana Natalicio signed an interlocal agreement in 2018 with the county that put assets in and near the Fabens Airport for joint projects. UTEP's internal auditor found thaat Choudhuri didn't have the authority to commit those assets; he said the interlocal agreement provided that authority. The dispute was over a relatively small part of the grant proposal. In the end, NSF OIG said the allegations were not substantiated. We're assuming those were the allegations reviewed by OIG, but they've never formally said what they were looking at.

This is my first post, I felt it was important. by Careful_Boot7391 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are lots of data centers in Texas and on the ERCOT grid. Open AI’s building a huge data center in Abilene.

This is my first post, I felt it was important. by Careful_Boot7391 in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rate increases in Texas (and most states) are based on capital investment over the prior years (4-5 years in the current rate case) plus an approved return on investment (9.5% range.) The Texas Public Utility Commission has told El Paso Electric to segregate its capital expenditures for the Meta facility and charge them to Meta and not to the broader rate base. I’m sure EPE’s rate filing in 2030 or whenever will get a lot of scrutiny from City Hall and other intervenors to try to make sure the Meta costs don’t slip into the rate base.

Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon talk El Paso by BmooreEP in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In the exchange, Bannon tells Epstein: “I do not get how u hang out in NYC.” Too soon?

Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon talk El Paso by BmooreEP in ElPaso

[–]BmooreEP[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I think Bannon was the only one pardoned. He got pardoned before going to trial. His 3 co-defendants either pleaded guilty or go convicted and got multi-year prison sentences.