The Brief: Senate committee takes up bills regarding eminent domain

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What you need to know

The Senate State Affairs Committee is taking up several bills Monday concerning eminent domain. Some of the legislation is aimed at providing landowners with more information about their rights and how the eminent domain process works. On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee will take up bills concerning one of the state's most controversial projects that relies on eminent domain: a high-speed train that would whisk Texans between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes.

• Texas Central — the private company behind the project — has played down concerns about land ownership. They said they don't plan to use eminent domain except as a last resort.
• But the project has attracted the ire of some rural lawmakers, who have filed more than 20 bills aimed at it. The Texas Senate's proposed budget also features a rider that would limit state assistance to the projec
• The hearing begins at 9 a.m. Monday morning. Watch online here and follow Texas Tribune reporter Brandon Formby for updates.

Other stories we're watching today:

• Texas lawmakers will weigh the legality of fantasy sports betting this afternoon. Watch online here and follow Texas Tribune reporter Alex Samuels for updates.
• The Texas Senate may take up legislation aimed at addressing the Dallas pensions crisis. Watch online here and follow Texas Tribune reporter Brandon Formby for updates.

What we're reading

(Links below lead to outside websites; paywall content noted with $) 

Q&A: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Texas must 'live within means,' The Monitor

Walker County applies to house inmates with immigration detainers for feds, The Huntsville Item

Is Beto O’Rourke On a ‘Suicide Mission’?, Texas Monthly

A bus crash in God's country, San Antonio Express-News ($)

Lawmakers to start debating special education bills Tuesday, Houston Chronicle ($)

Serial Indifference: How the justice system failed Houston homeless women, Houston Chronicle ($)

Gov. Greg Abbott's hard-line immigration stand could put more kids in foster care, The Dallas Morning News ($)

Two foster teens bunking in Texas CPS office flee, are struck by vehicle; one dies, The Dallas Morning News ($)

Mayor Mike Rawlings won't support bill to save Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, The Dallas Morning News ($)

Amid legislative discord, Abbott predicts success, Austin American-Statesman ($)

How Much People in the Trump Administration Are Worth, The New York Times ($)

For your calendar 

Tomorrow, join us in person or online for a conversation on higher education in Texas with state Sen. Kel Seliger and state Rep. J.M. Lozano.

Later in the day, we'll talk about legislative issues with experienced community organizers at the W Austin Records Room. The event is part of the Tribune's On the Record series, geared towards helping Texans be better, smarter citizens.

Photo of the day 

Congressman Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, speaks to a packed crowd at Scholz Garten on Saturday, April 1, 2017, in Austin, one day after he launched his 2018 Senate campaign. Photo by Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune. See more photos on our Instagram account. 

Quote to note

"If the proposed budget cuts of $850,000 are realized, nearly 1,900 teachers each year will lose access to the professional development and training that enables them to teach AP courses."

— Robert Scott, former Texas Commissioner of Education, about cuts to programs that support Advanced Placement via TribTalk

The Brief is written and compiled by your morning news baristas, Bobby Blanchard and Sanya Mansoor. If you have feedback or questions, please email thebrief@texastribune.org. As a nonprofit newsroom, we count on readers like you to help power newsletters like this. Did you like what you read today? Show your appreciation by becoming a member or making a donation today.