The goal of the cooperative is to save money by pooling the purchasing power of local governments in Texas. Compost program cleans up A program to dramatically clean up the North Bosque and Leon Rivers by hauling manure from local dairies to compost facilities kicked off in December 2000. The rivers do not meet federal standards for drinking, swimming or fishing due, in part, to run-off from dairy farms. The program combines state and federal funding to reimburse haulers for transporting manure from dairies to certified private-sector compost facilities. The facilities process the manure and sell the resulting compost to consumers and state agencies, such as the Texas Department of Transportation.
Lawmakers expect the project to be self-sustaining within three years.
ESlate uses a rotary dial rather than a touch screen, and voters use headphones to listen to an audio ballot-reader that gives audible signals confirming each selection. The technology was used on a limited trial basis in Tarrant County and in two Colorado counties during the November 2000 national election. The National Organization on Disability reports that 14 million voting-age people with disabilities are not registered to vote. ESlate and other new technology companies hope to increase their participation. Texas has certified that the voting machines comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.