Partisan redistricting aimed to protect or harm politicians only hurts the voters and their ability to participate in the political process. At its core, this is not about me or my party affiliation. It’s about the people of Senate District 10.
April 2011
Posted inPublic Education
Interactive: Texas Superintendent Contracts Annotated
We’ve collected and annotated the contracts of the 10 highest-paid school chiefs, as well as of those who lead the state’s 10 largest districts, for a total of 14, so readers can view their pay in the context of retirement perks, performance incentives and benefits like monthly automobile and cellphone allowances.
Posted in
State Government
House Tentatively Approves Salvia Ban
The House gave early approval today to a ban on salvia, a legal hallucinogen most often sold online and in head shops.
Posted in
Economy
Senators Look for Money Without Saying “Taxes”
State senators have unveiled a list of almost $5 billion in cash-flow tricks, property sales and fees that could be used to ease cuts in the state budget, but it’s not enough to completely close the gap between what they have available and what they hope to spend.
Posted in
Higher Education
Update: Rick O’Donnell “No Longer Employed by the UT System”
“It was not my choice to depart at this time,” says the controversial higher education reformer, whose hiring by the University of Texas System Board of Regents sparked an outcry at the University of Texas at Austin.
Posted in
State Government
Senate OKs “Strategic” Energy Exploration Council
The Senate today approved creation of the Texas Energy Policy Council, which would be in charge of planning a long-term strategy for potential exploration and production of both renewable and nonrenewable energy.
Posted in
State Government
Update: El Paso Hospitals May Be Allowed to Hire Docs
A bill passed by the Senate today would let the El Paso County Hospital District directly employ medical professionals to compensate for the severe shortage in the area.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: April 19, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Democrats’ chances in 2012; Obama’s testy Texas interview; gay politics on Christian campuses
Posted in
State Government
Small Brewers Ask Lawmakers to Open the Tap
Craft beer brewers came back to the Capitol today to ask lawmakers to grant them another way to get their beers in the hands of customers. But the chairman of a House committee said they may have to wait until next year.
Posted inState Government
Update: President Obama Gets Testy With WFAA Reporter
Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV was one of four TV stations to interview President Barack Obama. Toward the end, the president got testy with reporter Brad Watson.
