“Efficiency” is the buzzword heading into the 2011 legislative session. Lawmakers say they want to make sure the dollars spent on K-12 education are being spent as efficiently as possible — and that anything deemed inefficient could end up the chopping block. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Austin
Posted inState Government
Branch: Calling it a Speaker’s Race is “Generous”
At this morning’s TribLive event, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, speaks out on the challenge to his close friend and colleague, Speaker Joe Straus.
Posted in
State Government
Chamber of Secrets
It’s orientation week for the largest incoming class of House members since the early ’70s. Before their work begins in January, they’re learning how things work in the pink building — and drawing balls to see who gets the most seniority.
Posted in
State Government
Ken Paxton: The TT Interview
The Republican state representative from McKinney on why he’s running for speaker, why Joe Straus is “the most controversial Republican elected official … that maybe has ever happened,” the role of outside groups in what has historically been a forum for the most inside of insider politics and whether he thinks he can really win.
Posted in
Economy
Emerging Trouble for Incentive Funds
Governor Rick Perry’s office has asked a member of the Emerging Technology Fund’s advisory committee to consider resigning over a recent investigation by the Texas Rangers. This is just the latest dust up over this fund and the Texas Enterprise Fund. Ben Philpott of KUT and The Texas Tribune reports on what could happen to the funds in the next Legislative session.
Posted inState Government
Woody Hunt: The TT Interview
The chairman of the Governor’s Business Council on why the business community cares about higher ed, why we have to incentivize outcomes, whether it’s possible to increase productivity and who’s to blame if we don’t.
Posted in
Economy
Incentives Under Fire
Gov. Rick Perry’s office has asked a member of the Emerging Technology Fund’s advisory committee to consider resigning over a recent investigation into a stock deal — the latest dustup involving state incentive funds. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Transportation
TribBlog: Life in the Fast Lane
More than a third of Texas drivers think roadways are less safe than they were five years ago even though data shows that deaths have steadily decreased, according to a survey by the Center for Transportation Safety at the Texas Transportation Institute.
Posted in
Higher Education
TribBlog: Changes Ahead For TEXAS Grants?
With the threat of massive budget cuts looming on the horizon, state higher education leaders are looking for ways to get more out of what few dollars they may ultimately get to spend. One program that may see some changes is the Toward Excellence, Access, and Success Grant program, the state’s largest financial aid program.
Posted inState Government
TribBlog: Ready for His Closeup
The newest video touting Joe Straus for reelection as Speaker looks like the intro for one of those lifetime achievement statues they give away on the awards shows.
