Magnolia Fire Department officials are asking voters to decide May 2 whether to approve Proposition A, a sales tax measure the department said would help it keep up with Magnolia-area growth, rising service demand and long-term emergency response needs. 

The context: The measure appears on the ballot as a special election for Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10, also known as the Magnolia Fire Department. 

According to the sample ballot, the measure would allow the district to adopt an increased local sales and use tax “at a rate not to exceed two percent” in any location within the district. 

The big picture: Magnolia Fire Chief Terry Colburn said the election is aimed at closing the gap between Magnolia’s fast growth and a funding model built for a much smaller community. 

Colburn said the department has seen call volume, service demands and infrastructure needs climb as residential, commercial and multifamily development has expanded.

He said the goal is to create a more balanced funding stream while helping the department maintain dependable emergency response.

Petco has filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration for a new location in Tomball. All information, including costs and timelines, is subject to change.

In a nutshell: The 12,500-square-foot store is expected to cost $1.32 million, with construction anticipated to start in June and wrap up in January, per the filing. Petco sells a variety of pet food and pet supplies, and offers other pet-related services such as grooming and dog training, according to its website.

• 25577 Hwy. 249, Tomball

St. Luke’s Health has awarded $1.01 million in philanthropic grants to 19 nonprofits in the Greater Houston area, according to an April 6 news release. The grants are intended to address health disparities and enhance the well-being of underserved populations, according to the news release.

What we know: The grants are a part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program.
According to a news release, the program will:

• Improve community health

• Advance health equity

• Enhance local services through charitable contributions

The impact: Participating nonprofits applied to receive grant funding to cover issues found within St. Luke’s community health needs assessments.
Needs include:

• Improving access to care

• Behavioral health

• Chronic disease

• Food security

• Preventative practices

• Social determinants of health

What they're saying: The local initiative by St. Luke’s is a part of a larger effort by CommonSpirit Health, which has awarded $15 million to 329 organizations nationwide, according to the release.

The luxury motor coach service Vonlane announced April 8 that its newest route will connect the Houston metro to Austin with a departure point in The Woodlands starting May 4. The route is the 12th for the company.

Vonlane launched a route between The Woodlands and Dallas last year. 

What to expect: Vonlane will offer services between The Woodlands and Austin seven days a week at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, and DoubleTree by Hilton Austin-University Area, 1617 N. I-35, Austin.

More details: The introductory rate through Aug. 31 will be $99. The motor coach provides amenities such as Starlink Wi-Fi, meals, snacks, beverages and no baggage or change fees, according to the news release.

Nearly eight months after a Democratic walkout over congressional redistricting, a GOP-led Texas House committee moved to charge 52 of their Democratic colleagues up to $8,354.25 each in fines.

What happened: After six hours behind closed doors, the House Administration Committee approved the fines in a brief public session April 10. The panel's six Republicans voted to impose the fines, while the five Democrats voted against them.

The background: Over 50 House Democrats left the state in early August to fight a plan to redraw Texas’ congressional boundaries. They remained out of Texas for two weeks, impeding the progress of legislation during two special legislative sessions, although the congressional map and more than a dozen other bills ultimately passed after the Democrats returned to Austin.

Something to note: The fines were reduced by $1,000 per person to reflect two days when the House was not in session, lawmakers said. Some Democrats were also charged lower amounts because they did not participate in the full two-week walkout or their absences were partially excused.