The House tentatively passed a health care bill that intends to increase efficiency and cost savings in Texas’ expensive Medicaid and other health programs today — but not before adding a far-ranging variety of amendments.
Austin
Posted in
State Government
Video: Perry Responds to Talk of 2012 White House Bid
Gov. Rick Perry told a press gaggle today that he will not be distracted by talk of a 2012 presidential bid.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Bill Gutted by Senate Committee
In a surprise move that could effectively kill the sanctuary cities bill that Gov. Rick Perry declared an emergency item, a Senate committee today replaced the immigration language with a homeland security bill by state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.
Posted in
Economy
Budget Update: Ogden Says They’re Stuck; Straus Says They’re Close
As of Wednesday afternoon, two powerful budget figures differed on the status of the budget process.
Posted in
Energy
Lawmakers’ Actions Will Raise Utility Rates, Consumer Groups Say
Several bills working their way through the legislative process are likely to send Texans’ utility bills up, consumer advocates say. But legislation that would make it easier for ratepayers to decide how to choose their electricity provider appears to be stalled.
Posted in
Higher Education
Update: UT President: “We Need to Do More”
University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers delivered a speech today — two days before the University of Texas System Board of Regents gathers in Austin for a highly anticipated meeting — outlining the university’s budget concerns and plans for innovation.
Posted in
Economy
Schools Consider Legal Action Over Budget Cuts
With school districts across the state passing belt-tightening budgets due to cuts expected at the Legislature, Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports that some districts are gearing up for legal challenges.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Senate Passes Budget Along Party Lines
The Texas Senate voted today along party lines to pass a substitute version of HB 1. “It didn’t come together the way I envisioned,” said Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Posted in
Economy
Senate Approves Budget Bill on Party-Line Vote
The Texas Senate voted 19-12 along party lines Wednesday to pass its own version of HB 1, the House’s budget for the next biennium. Not only did the Democrats lose their power to stop the bill under the traditional two-thirds rule, but they may have lost their chance for a Democrat to join the conference committee where five senators and five representatives will develop a compromise bill.
Posted in
Public Education
Is Poverty, Not Teacher Quality or Charters, Key to Student Outcomes?
Michael Marder, the co-director of the University of Texas’ UTeach program, which trains secondary school math and science teachers, looks at public education data and explains the significance of poverty, why he thinks charter schools are not necessarily the answer and how public education is like a Boeing airplane.
