The Kroll report, which looked into the admissions process at UT-Austin and whether some well-connected people had too much influence on that process, surfaced on Thursday.
Jane Nelson
Posted in
Health care
Drug Testing for Welfare Benefits Back on the Table
After a few failed legislative attempts, Republican lawmakers are once again working to make drug testing mandatory for some Texans who receive state welfare benefits.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 4, 2015
The ability of Austin tech firm 21CT to secure a $20 million Medicaid fraud software contract through a no-bid program run by the state’s Department of Information Resources drew intense scrutiny from Senate budget writers on Tuesday.
Posted inState Government
Senators Grill Agency Head Over Contracting Scandal
Senate budget writers on Tuesday described the state’s growing contracting scandal as “embarrassing” and “out of control” while the head of an agency at the center of the scandal defended its procurement policies.
Posted in
Politics
The Brief: Jan. 28, 2015
A judge’s decision on Tuesday not to dismiss two indictments against Rick Perry has both legal and political implications.
Posted in
Economy
Nelson Emphasizes Property Tax Relief in Senate Base Budget
Nearly two weeks after the House’s base budget was released, Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson presented the Senate’s plan, which she said sets aside $3 billion for “meaningful” property tax relief for Texas homeowners.
Posted in
Health care
The Brief: Jan. 27, 2015
Guns were a big topic of conversation inside the Capitol and outside of it on Monday.
Posted in
State Government
Sen. Nelson Looks to Strengthen Contracting Oversight
Following a controversial no-bid deal at the Health and Human Services Commission, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, filed a bill on Monday that seeks to strengthen oversight of state contracting.
Posted in
Economy
Straus: $202 Billion Budget Plan Reflects Fiscal Discipline
House Speaker Joe Straus said the House’s base budget plan, released Thursday, holds “spending in check while addressing some very important challenges related to our rapid growth.” The Senate’s base budget is expected to come out next week.
Posted in
State Government
Lawmakers Set $7 Billion “Floor” for State Savings Account
Lawmakers on Thursday chose $7 billion as an appropriate minimum balance for the Rainy Day Fund in a meeting that took just a few minutes but will have far-reaching consequences.
