Texas lawmakers consider different approaches to transforming the state’s unwieldy, loophole-ridden system of contract oversight into something that can be properly tracked, analyzed and, when needed, restrained.
84th Legislative Session
Posted in
Public Education
Talk Turns to Standards as Lawmakers Weigh Pre-K Bills
As legislators considered several early education bills Tuesday afternoon, testimony was dominated by a debate over what standards school districts should meet to get additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Making the Worst of a Good Situation
Texas legislators have an unfamiliar problem: They have more money available to spend than their self-imposed limits will allow. And it’s enough to start debates even where there is broad agreement.
Posted in
Politics
Housing Legislation Puts Local Control Debate Front and Center
A bill before a Texas Senate committee is bringing into focus the simmering debate over local control in the state. It’s a charge that has been backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and state legislators who see cities overstepping their authority.
Posted in
Economy
Paddie’s Lyft-for-Hire Bill Runs Uber Cities
With various Texas cities imposing different rules on vehicle-for-hire apps Uber and Lyft, state Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, is pushing a bill to let the state take over regulation of the services.
Posted inState Government
DPS Calls Glitter Bombs “Weapon of Choice” for Gay Rights Advocates
In an email sent to legislative staffers, a DPS captain warns of “glitter bombs” being sent to lawmakers and attaches a document titled “Glitter Bombing: Weapon of Choice for Gay Rights, Pro Choice Advocates.”
Posted in
Health care
Roundup: Funding Roads, Debating Health Care Reform
In the Roundup: The Texas Senate passed its first legislation this week, state Republican leaders again addressed Medicaid expansion and reforms, and new bills aim to preserve the federal health subsidies in question in a U.S. Supreme Court case.
Posted in
State Government
Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state’s debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap.
Posted in
Public Education
Lukewarm Reviews for Early Education Push
When Gov. Greg Abbott named improving pre-kindergarten programs as a top priority, it signaled a dramatic move in the state’s approach to early education. But so far, the change has been mostly in tone.
Posted in
Economy
Senators Show Interest in Ditching Margins Tax
As a key Senate committee prepares to hear public testimony on tax cut proposals Wednesday, senators expressed strong interest in repealing the state’s unpopular margins tax on businesses, which has raised $4.7 billion annually.