A board of lawmakers has given final approval for $150 million in funding to help pull the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services out of its crisis mode — but there are strings attached.
85th Legislative Session
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State Government
A conversation with Joe Straus (video)
Full video of my conversation with Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, at our 11/29 symposium previewing the 85th Legislative Session.
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Politics
A conversation with Isaac and Murr
Full video of my 11/14 conversation with state Reps. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, and Andrew Murr, R-Junction, on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville.
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Politics
As first bills are filed, battle lines for 2017 session begin to emerge
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled an aggressive conservative agenda for the senate with his priority list, while House Democrats promised to focus on “kitchen table” issues.
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Health care
Senate panel proposes $75.3 million to start fixing Child Protective Services
A workgroup of the Texas Senate Finance Committee was willing to give Child Protective Services caseworkers $12,000 raises but balked at hiring all the new workers Commissioner Hank Whitman requested.
Posted inState Government
Report says Child Protective Service workers are overloaded, urges overhaul
The long-awaited report comes almost a year after U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ruled that Texas’ long-term foster care system violated children’s civil rights.
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State Government
A Conversation with Larson and Menéndez (Video)
Full video of the latest installment of our San Antonio and the Legislature series: a conversation about the 85th session with state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, and state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio.
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Higher Education
A Conversation About Higher Education Funding (Video)
Full video of our 5/26 conversation with state Sen Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and state Senator Kirk Watson, D-Austin, a member of the committtee and its former vice chairman.