After last ditch efforts from Democrats to increase funding for schools through closing tax loopholes and tapping the Rainy Day Fund failed, two budget bills quickly cleared the Senate Friday night.
June 2011
Posted in
Politics
Updated: Senate Panel Approves Map
State GOP leaders want quick action on a new congressional map that would transform the district of Tea Party godfather Ron Paul. Paul says he doesn’t feel “targeted” by the proposal.
Posted in
Economy
Video: The Week In Politics Recap May 30 – June 3, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
Posted in
T-Squared
T-Squared: Our May QRANK Winner is…
Congrats, “acw”: You’re our QRANK:TT winner for May, with a score of 112,218 points. And now on to our June game, in which the fabulous prize you’re competing for is…
Posted inState Government
Interactive: How the Seliger Map Would Have Shifted Voters in ’08 and ’10
Lloyd Doggett and Ron Paul aren’t the only Texas congressmen whose districts would be harder to win in 2012 under a new congressional map proposed by State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: June 3, 2011
Your afternoon reading: quick debate sought for congressional maps; school finance back in the Senate; smoking ban gets new life
Posted in
Public Education
School Finance Returns to Senate; What Next?
School finance likely hits the Senate floor this afternoon. Will anything change?
Posted in
State Government
Video: Some Lawmakers Struggle to Balance Personal, Legislative Duties
Many Texas lawmakers have the resources to stay in Austin a few extra weeks — or even months — for special sessions. But others take a big fiscal hit. And it takes a personal toll on all of them.
Posted in
Health care
Updated: Lawmakers Renew Push to Take Over Medicaid, Medicare
Texas’ long-shot efforts to take control of Medicare and Medicaid — the health programs for the elderly, the disabled and the state’s poorest children — from the feds are back on the table.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: June 3, 2011
Having already beaten Democrats to a pulp this session, the Texas Legislature’s mighty Republican majority may have just set its sights on a new, more unexpected target: Ron Paul.