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- (AUSTIN) — During Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy efficient appliances and other household equipment bearing an Energy Star label. Shoppers are expected to save about $2.6 million in state and local sales taxes.
“The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is a new annual tax holiday that gives Texans an extra incentive to replace old appliances with energy efficient models,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Shoppers will pay no sales tax on selected Energy Star products and they will save even more on their future utility bills as Energy Star qualified appliances use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”
The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday applies only to the following appliances and household equipment: air conditioners priced less than $6,000, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, refrigerators priced less than $2,000 and clothes washers, but not clothes dryers. Energy Star does not label clothes dryers, because most models use about the same amount of energy.
To qualify for the sales tax exemption, the Energy Star logo must appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. The tax break also applies to catalog or Internet sales of eligible products during Memorial Day weekend and to items placed on layaway or removed from layaway during that weekend.
“Conservation and energy diversity are critical for Texas to continue meeting the needs of a growing population and a thriving economy,” Combs said. “The Legislature created the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday to reward Texans for choosing the most energy efficient appliances available and helping preserve the state’s energy resources.”
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. To earn the Energy Star, a product must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
According to Energy Star, qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than conventional models meeting federal minimum standards.
Qualified refrigerators use at least 15 percent less energy than conventional models; central air conditioners use 14 percent less energy; room air conditioners use 10 percent less energy; and ceiling fans that have earned the Energy Star are about 50 percent more efficient. Energy Star fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
Full details about the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday are available on the Comptroller’s Web site at www.window.state.tx.us. More information about Energy Star products, including specific brands and models of qualifying appliances and household equipment, is available at www.energystar.gov.
The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is separate from Texas’ annual August sales tax holiday on clothing and shoes, which this year is scheduled for Aug. 15-17.
Nutrient packed salads for the summer
Bowl your pals over this summer with nutrient-packed salads that can help slim you down as they fill you up. Salads are a great way to enjoy a fine meal without being a chef. Follow these easy tips to get the perfect flavor:
Dry Greens Well: Because dressing slides off damp salad leaves, you will get more flavor and use less dressing when you dry salad greens thoroughly.
Use Flavorful Oils : Use healthy oils, such as olive oil, sesame seed oil and canola oil. They provide essential fatty acids and vitamins and are crucial for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. To maximize their health benefits, keep oils in a dark bottle or in the refrigerator.
Experiment with Vinegars : To add zest to your salad, experiment with vinegar. Try rice vinegar, white wine vinegar or fruit vinegar. And while lime and lemon juice are a great choice, you will get more flavor by combining vinegar and orange juice.
Embrace Salad Toppers : Top your salads to add color and vitamins. From dried cherries and seeds to mangoes and fresh basil, salad toppers will make your meal healthy and delicious.
Try these easy recipes for tasty salads that will impress everyone:
Waldorf Brown Rice Salad
1 cup Minute® Brown Rice, uncooked
3 apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup raisins
½ cup fat-free mayonnaise
¾ cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
Salad greens (optional)
Prepare rice according to package directions. Cool. Wash, core and dice apples, without peeling. Place apples in large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add rice, celery, nuts and raisins; toss to combine. In medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and yogurt. Blend well. Fold into rice mixture. Serve over salad greens, if desired. Serves 4.
Spring Vegetable Rice Salad
4 cups cooked white rice such as Minute®
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup cut-up asparagus spears (1 inch long), cooked, cooled
1 cup light salad dressing
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Toss rice with tomatoes and asparagus in medium bowl. Mix remaining ingredients until well blended. Add to rice mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 8.
Tip: Asparagus spears snap off naturally where they are tough. To trim fresh asparagus, simply bend the spear near the bottom end and it will break off at the right point.
Ty Van Horn to receive degrees from TAMU
Mitchell Ty Van Horn, a graduate of the VHHS graduating Class of 2003, will receive jointly both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Accounting from Texas A&M University on Saturday, May 10th at 9:00 AM. Ty will be joining the accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Houston, which is one of the largest in the world. He has done summer internships with the firm while completing his studies at A&M.
Ty is the son of Mitch and Glenda Van Horn, former residents of Van Horn.
Birthdays
May 8th - Cody Vasquez, Gary Parker, Tony Escarcega.
May 9th - David Garcia.
May 10th - Rafael Torres, Terry Vasquez (In Memory), Eric Ramirez, Michael Carrillo, Elijah Ledesma, Alejandro Rodriguez.
May 11th - Sherri Molina, Jerry Aumiller, John Jones, Ron Stanwick, Julian Hernandez, Kimberly Tarango.
May 12th - Jacklyn Balcazar.
May 13th - Jerry Marta, Vivian Long, Jose Gonzales.
May 14th - Cruz Chacon.
Anniversaries
May 8th - Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Carrillo.
May 11th - Mr. and Mrs. Alan Moravick.
May 14th - Mr. and Mrs. Enrique Medina, Jr.
