Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn’t finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning.
82nd Legislative Session
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Session’s End Creates Graveyard of Failed Legislation
The system is meant to kill legislation: That’s the old line often heard around the Capitol. As the session’s end slams the coffin door on a slew of bills, more than a few lawmakers are taking solace in the fact that their dead bills have lots of company.
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Health care
Updated: Perry Gives New Session, With New Rules, Its Agenda
First two items on the call from Gov. Rick Perry: The “non-revenue” and school finance bill, and the Medicaid reforms that were in SB 23. That’s where we start, and the governor can add as we go.
Posted in
State Government
Video: GOP Praises Fiscally “Responsible” Session
Republican members of the Texas House reflected on the end of the regular session late Monday. Speaker Joe Straus praised lawmakers for showing “great discipline” and focus, while GOP Caucus Chair Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, warned Democrats they made a “bad strategic” move by pushing for a special session.
Posted in
Public Education
Video: Dems Ready for Special Session
Texas Democrats, unhappy with the GOP budget, discussed possible strategies today for the coming special session.
Posted in
Public Education
Guest Column: Dems Face Uphill Battle Winning Public Opinion
Republican skepticism about public education spending joined with the governor’s determination to hold the line on spending, including on public education, is likely to carry the day — whether it takes a few hours or 30 more days.
Posted in
State Government
Updated: Dems Say Bring on the Special Session
House and Senate Democrats said today a special session would bring transparency to the school finance process and a greater awareness of how the deep funding cuts to government services will affect Texans’ daily lives.
Posted in
Public Education
Video: “She Raised A Hurdle. That’s Her Call.”
Gov. Rick Perry talked this morning about the late-night filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, that kept the upper chamber from voting on SB 1811, a critical piece of the budget puzzle.
Posted in
State Government
Sh*t My Legislator Said: A Quiz
As the 82nd regular session comes to a close, we pause a moment to remember some of the more notable statements of the last 140 days. And we invite you to join us by taking a special quiz we’ve created to commemorate the occasion.
Posted in
Demographics
Summer School Ahead for Texas Legislators
Lawmakers were hoping to get out of Austin with their business done, without the prospect of a special session this summer. Fat chance.
