Arne Duncan Interview – April 30, 2010

(AUSTIN, TX) — Texas Comptroller Don Huffines today announced an executive order barring any business that demands proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from its customers from receiving a Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts contract or grant. Under the order, every contractor and grantee must certify that it complies with Section 161.0085, Texas Health and Safety Code, and does not require customers to show COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery documentation to enter, gain access to, or receive service from its business. “The government has no authority to demand medical papers from Texans just so they can access basic services,” Huffines said. “Forcing someone to disclose private health information to receive help from a state‑funded program is an outrageous invasion of privacy. Texans should never have to choose between their medical freedom and their ability to participate in public life. “It is very rare for government to restore liberty once it has taken it. That is exactly what I am doing at this agency. During COVID, Texans had their liberty taken from them one mandate at a time. This order is one more step in an ongoing effort to give Texans back the freedoms that were taken from them, and there is more to come.” Texas law already makes a business that imposes such a requirement ineligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract payable with state funds. Under the order, contractors and grantees must certify that they: Comply with Section 161.0085, Texas Health and Safety Code, for the full term of the agreement. Do not require customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to enter, gain access to, or receive service from the business. Acknowledge that requiring such documentation makes the business ineligible for a state-funded contract or grant. These requirements will be standard terms in future contracts and grants administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The agency will incorporate the vaccine passport certification into its solicitations and agreements going forward. The Comptroller’s office is writing immediate-termination authority into its agreements to enforce the certification. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

(AUSTIN, TX) — Prospective students submitted more than 400,000 applications to Texas public colleges and universities during Free College Application Week last week, marking a 47 percent increase over the program’s inaugural year in 2025. Students who apply to college during Free College Application (FCAW) week can save up to $75 per application fee, which translates to hundreds of dollars if they apply to multiple colleges. They are also able to get their applications into the queue early with admissions officers. “The strong participation in the second year of Free College Application Week underscores the aspirations of Texas students to earn a postsecondary certificate or degree. We are grateful to the many advisors, counselors and administrators at high schools, colleges and universities who helped raise awareness of this opportunity,” said Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser. “Texas is home to an extraordinary pool of talented students eager for an education that sets them on a thriving career path, and Free College Application Week is one way we help them get a good start.” This year Free College Application Week ran from Oct. 12 to Oct. 18. During that time frame, any Texas resident submitting an eligible undergraduate admission application as a first-time, transfer, visiting or returning student could receive the fee waiver from the state’s public colleges and universities as long as they applied through the official ApplyTexas website. This year, 402,583 applications were submitted, nearly a 47 percent increase over 2025, the first year of the program, when 273,579 applications were submitted. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees the FCAW program and maintains a full suite of online programs that help prospective higher education students. Those include: My Texas Future, a website created by the state that helps students explore careers, discover education and training programs that match their interests and skills, and learn about ways to pay for school. Students can start building their profiles in middle school as early as age 13, making the application process easier. Direct Admissions, a feature of My Texas Future that further streamlines the college application process. By entering basic information like GPA, class rank, and test scores, students instantly receive a personalized list of Texas public universities where they could qualify for admission—before even starting the application. ApplyTexas, the state’s online tool for applications to Texas’ public higher education institutions, must be used to qualify for application fee waivers during Free College Application Week. Available year round, ApplyTexas.org serves first-time college students, returning students, visiting students, transfer students, and graduate applicants. Its application guide helps students understand all the documents and resume items they will need. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

TPWD Encourages Hunter Harvest Inspection, Reporting of Animals Affected by New World Screwworm  (AUSTIN, TX) — On Oct. 21, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received confirmation of a detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a hunter-harvested female elk in Pecos County. A sample was collected from the elk and was identified and confirmed as NWS at the ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville. This detection highlights the critical role hunters, landowners, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife professionals play in helping detect and manage the spread of NWS. “We encourage all hunters and landowners to be vigilant for signs of New World screwworm while they are out in the field this season,” said Alan Cain, Wildlife Division Director. “The partnership between TPWD biologists and local hunters and landowners expedited the identification and confirmation of this new detection.” The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) will modify a previously established infested zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and TPWD are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area. Hunter Harvest Inspection With the kick-off of hunting season across Texas, all hunters are encouraged to inspect their harvest before field dressing or moving the carcass. While in the field, hunters should look for animals that may be showing signs of infestation which include: Irritated or depressed behavior Loss of appetite Head shaking Smell of decaying flesh Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds Isolation from other animals or people Once an animal is harvested, hunters should be sure to inspect: Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitalia and any mucous membranes. Run your hands along the body of the animal and check the feet and between the toes looking for any wounds that might have a foul smell or maggots. A video on how to inspect your harvest for NWS is available online. Hunters and landowners can find additional information in the TPWD New World Screwworm Guide for Hunters and Landowners. Early detection and reporting is critical. Report all suspected and confirmed cases of NWS immediately. If you suspect a wild animal has an NWS infestation, contact your local TPWD wildlife biologist or call 512-389-4505. Report suspected cases in livestock and companion animals: TAHC — Region Office or the Veterinarian on Call 1-800-550-8242. For more information and resources please visit screwworm.texas.gov. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.