Senators tried to improve the funding picture for public education on Thursday when the Senate Finance Committee voted 13-2 to add $5.7 billion to its initial proposal. But that’s still about a $4 billion reduction from current levels.
March 2011
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for March 24, 2011
Your afternoon reading: committee votes to reduce health care cuts; study says budget could force hundreds of thousands of layoffs; judge’s decision could impact voter ID
Posted in
Health care
Leo Linbeck III: The TT Interview
The Houston builder and Health Care Compact Alliance vice chair on how an interstate compact could fix health care in Texas — and give the state some semblance of local control over what he calls an unsustainable health care system.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT System Redefines Adviser’s Position, Sets End Date
The University of Texas System leadership has officially reassigned controversial new hire, Rick O’Donnell, to a new position — one that will only exist for a matter of months.
Posted in
Health care
Committee Votes to Restore $4.5 Billion for Health Services
Deliberation about what to cut — and whom to save — ended with a vote to restore $4.5 billion to state health agencies at a Senate Health and Human Services subcommittee hearing this morning. The issue now goes to the full Senate Finance Committee.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Top Texas News for March 24, 2011
After more than 11 hours of draining debate, and years of Republican-led efforts, a voter ID bill appears headed toward the governor’s desk.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Report: Hundreds of Youths in Adult Prisons
Judges across the state, and particularly in Harris County, are sending youth offenders to adult prisons even when they have few prior offenses, according to a study by a University of Texas criminal justice expert.
Posted in
Economy
For Seniors in Texas, Hunger on the Rise
Hunger, at an all-time high in the U.S., is especially pronounced among seniors, with more than 6 million considered “food insecure.” And as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, the problem is growing in Texas.
Posted in
Economy
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 72
This week’s episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talking mostly about the budget, but also a bit about redistricting and academic research.
Posted in
Economy
House, Senate Budget Goals Could Lead to Battle
As the House prepares for a vote on its budget bill, Senate lawmakers are hinting that they’re looking to spend more than their counterparts on public education — setting the stage for a budget battle.
