The Lone Star Conference membership has changed for the first time in a decade as the University of the Incarnate Word officially joined the league today.

“This is a great day for the Lone Star Conference. We are pleased to welcome such a fine institution. The entire conference will benefit by being associated with the Cardinal athletic department,” said LSC Commissioner Stan Wagnon. “The quality of UIW athletics is evident with their overall finish (36th) in the 2009-10 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings.”

UIW sponsors 19 sports (nine men’s and 10 women’s) including the recent addition of football in 2009. The Cardinals will play their first LSC game on the gridiron, when they travel to Southeastern Oklahoma on Sept. 11 for a crossover contest. Shortly after that the UIW volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams will play their first conference games.

Sales Tax Collections

“Total (Texas) sales tax collections have now slightly exceeded year-ago levels for a third consecutive month,” Combs said.

“Net collections in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors expanded, but collections from the all-important retail sector were down from the year-ago level. While overall economic activity is no longer contracting, a resumption of solid growth in sales tax collections is not yet in evidence.”

Texas cities will receive $297.2 million, up 4.5 percent compared to July 2009. So far this calendar year, city sales tax allocations are still down 2.9 percent compared to the same time period last year. Texas counties can anticipate sales tax payments of $27 million, up 3.9 percent compared to last July.

So far this year, sales tax allocations to counties are down 6.4 percent compared to this point in 2009.