The Senate Finance Committee heard public testimony today on proposed cuts to health and human services.
February 2011
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Feb. 2, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry going to CPAC; House committee assignments likely coming next week; Capitol security still making some nervous
Posted in
Energy
ERCOT Ends Emergency Blackouts
Power out at your house? You’ve got good company — 400,000 other Texans, as of noon today. But as of this afternoon, the lights (and heat) should be coming back on. The demand for power exceeded generation capacity around midnight last night, causing more than 50 generators to shut down statewide
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: What is Chubbing?
If there’s one thing that politicians are good at, it’s talking. And chubbing is a kind of talking that’s used to stall legislation in the Texas House. While state representatives do have the power to talk something to death, this session it will be harder to do than in the past.
Posted in
Higher Education
Paige & Spellings: The TT Interview
At a recent forum titled “Improving Productivity in Public Education,” former U.S. Secretaries of Education Rod Paige and Margaret Spellings under George W. Bush took time to discuss the state’s looming budget cuts, the Bush legacy, the Obama administration and what they believe needs to change in public education.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Feb. 2, 2011
In a sign of the tough budgetary times, Texas school districts turned their focus to harsh realities on Tuesday.
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Health care
Are Payment Reform, Texas Budget In Conflict?
Lawmakers are crafting legislation to make health care more affordable and effective by rewarding doctors who get the best medical outcomes. But the cuts they’re proposing to meet the state’s budget shortfall could hinder some of the same physicians they’re relying on to implement payment reform.
Posted in
Health care
David Dewhurst: The TT Interview
The lieutenant governor believes he knows how to save Texas money and improve patient care by overhauling how doctors and hospitals are paid: with carrots, not sticks. In an interview with the Tribune, he talks about what he sees as the root of the health care crisis, and his proposed solutions.
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State Government
Election Contest in HD-48 Begins
A Texas House investigation to determine the winner of the District 48 race between state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Republican challenger Dan Neil has begun. Testimony is expected to last at least a couple of days. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Health care
Suehs Warns Lawmakers On Health Cuts
Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs pulled no punches when he warned Senate lawmakers today what proposed budget cuts will mean: either cutting the number of people served, or the money paid to those who care for them.