With some top state leaders warning that Texas’ dire fiscal situation will lead to the loss of several thousand state jobs, House budget writers will release their first draft budget today. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, big job cuts may be just the beginning.
The Looming Cuts
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Jan. 17, 2011
Your afternoon reading: a resignation and an endorsement in the Senate race; Rick Perry and the gift of the EPA
Posted in
State Government
TribBlog: Michael Williams Will Resign to Run
Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams will resign this week, allowing him to work full time on a race for U.S. Senate — and to avoid a potentially bruising legislative fight over the future of his agency.
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Congress
2012: H.W. Bush Backs Roger Williams
The race to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison may only be days old, but at least one candidate in the crowded field is already pulling out the big guns.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Jan. 17, 2011
At Gov. Rick Perry’s swearing-in tomorrow, look for signs.
Posted in
Energy
EPA Presses On in Fight With Texas
The Environmental Protection Agency took public comment in Dallas on Friday on its new rules for greenhouse gas regulations. Because Texas has refused to establish a greenhouse gas permitting process, the EPA will directly issue permits to companies here — but as Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, federal officials say there won’t be a delay for companies wanting to them.
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Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: Capitol Security Is…
For this week’s installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders on issues of the moment, we asked about the bunker mentality at the Capitol: whether the level of security is too lax, over the top or just right, whether concealed handgun licenses ought to be the only “fast pass” through security lines and which state officials should have a security detail.
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Demographics
Gimme Shelter
Gov. Rick Perry’s focus on sanctuary cities — cities that don’t allow their police officers to enforce federal immigration laws — could offer him safe passage through the contentious immigration debate. But it will be tricky.
Posted in
State Government
A Conversation With Jim Pitts
The Waxahachie Republican talks about the size of the budget shortfall, the possibility of new revenue sources and why he’d support legalized gambling.
Posted in
State Government
Jim Pitts on the Tea Party
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on the Tea Partiers and other hyperconservative types who oppose him in his district.
