State Rep. Dawnna Dukes announced her retirement in September, but doesn’t plan to make it official until Tuesday. That would make her annual pension payout $3,220 bigger.
2017
Posted in
Public Education
Texas’ most populous districts see As through Ds in new ratings
The 10 most populous districts in the state received more Ds than As in the new A-F rating system, according to a preliminary report out to educators Friday. By comparison, the 10 biggest charters saw more As and a smattering of Fs.
Posted inState Government
Texas loses tax lawsuit, but not the way officials feared
The state of Texas lost a lawsuit over business franchise taxes on Friday, but lost the way officials had hoped — without a significant change in an arcane accounting definition that could have cost billions.
Posted in
Politics
U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson to retire from Congress
U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson announced Friday morning that he will not seek re-election to represent his Plano-based North Texas seat in Congress.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Transgender bathroom fight heads to Legislature
After months of sparring over the rights of transgender Texans, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst on Thursday announced a bill that would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.”
Posted in
Politics
Texas files suit against FDA over execution drug (video)
In the Roundup: Texas sues the FDA over an execution drug, state Rep. Armando Martinez is shot by “celebratory gunfire” and the 85th Legislative Session is about to kick off.
Posted in
Politics
Rep. Beto O’Rourke “very likely” to run for Sen. Ted Cruz’s seat in 2018
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke said Thursday he is all but certain to make a run for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s seat in 2018.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Whitmire may avoid some pension votes amid conflict-of-interest concerns
After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Expect some clouds in Monday’s Texas budget forecast
The Legislature goes to Austin on Tuesday, but lawmakers will find out a day before that what kind of budget they’re going to write. Spoiler alert: Money is tight.
Posted in
Politics
Arrington, a freshman in Congress, bucks trend by moving family to D.C.
Lubbock Republican Jodey Arrington, who was sworn in this week as one of the new members of the U.S. House, is moving his family to Washington. It is an unusual choice, both in the Texas delegation and in the rest of Congress.
