At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, explained why the House’s lower proposed allocation for border security funding is more conservative than the Senate’s.
84th Legislative Session
Posted in
Politics
Video: A Conversation With John Otto
Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Posted in
Public Education
Otto Touts Plan to Simplify School Finance System
The House’s chief budget writer on Thursday praised a proposal to overhaul the school finance system by grouping the state’s 1,026 regular school districts into a few “school finance districts” — a tax move aimed at equalizing per-student funding statewide.
Posted inState Government
Gun Bills to Get Their First Capitol Hearing
Gun rights activists haven’t been shy about making their presence felt at the Capitol. They’ll have their first chance to weigh in on actual legislation on Thursday, when a Senate committee takes up two gun bills.
Posted in
Politics
Inside Texas Politics: “Crazy State”
On this week’s edition of WFAA-TV’s Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey: a widely shared video in which a Florida congressman calls Texas a “crazy state.”
Posted in
Health care
Texas Republican Calls for Limiting Vaccine Exemptions
State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, said Friday he will propose legislation to eliminate “conscientious exemptions” because of the re-emergence of diseases like measles attributed to growing numbers of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: McRaven on Graduation Rates
At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, talked about the flagging four-year graduation rates at our public universities — and what to do about them.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: McRaven on Campus Carry
At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, explained his opposition to campus carry legislation.
Posted in
Demographics
Video: McRaven on In-State Tuition
At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, defended the current state law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public universities.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: A Conversation With William McRaven
Full video of my 2/5 conversation with Adm. William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System.