Your afternoon reading: deal reached on education funding; another blow for sanctuary cities legislation; anti-bullying bill sent to governor’s desk
May 2011
Posted in
Health care
Family Practice Residencies Take Big Budget Hit
The residency programs that train Texas family physicians will take a big hit under the education budget agreement lawmakers unveiled today.
Posted in
State Government
Anti-Bullying Bill Clears Another Hurdle
As the parents of Asher Brown watched, the Senate today unanimously approved a bill meant to prevent bullying in schools. If the House, as expected, approves some changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to Gov. Rick Perry’s desk for a final signature.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Approves Football Helmet Safety Requirements
Legislation on football helmet safety is one step closer to crossing the goal line after passing the Senate today nearly unanimously. Helmets are “the first line of defense” for football players, said Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, the senate sponsor of HB 675.
Posted in
Economy
Budget Negotiators Agree on Education Funding
House and Senate negotiators agreed on spending on education, state salaries and benefits this morning and hope to have the final vote on the 2012-13 budget sometime this weekend.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Hospitals Face Dramatic Payment Overhaul
The budget that state lawmakers are poised to accept attempts to eliminate wide variations in what hospitals are paid by Medicaid for performing the same procedures on similarly sick patients — a sweeping change in how Texas hospitals are funded.
Posted in
Demographics
With Clock Ticking, Immigration Bills in Limbo
A homeland security bill that was a major factor in whether the state’s sanctuary cities legislation — one of Gov. Rick Perry’s emergency items — would be signed into law failed to get placed on a House calendar for this week.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 23, 2011
A deal’s been struck, but with just a week to go, lawmakers still have to piece together the budget puzzle.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
No Clear Signals on Budget, UT/TT Poll Finds
Voters still want lawmakers to cut the budget, but they still oppose the major cuts in education and health and human services that cutting the budget requires, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Posted in
Politics
A Meandering Route to a Congressional Redistricting Map
When it comes to congressional redistricting in Texas, inaction is louder than words.