The proposal from state Rep. John Zerwas would withdraw about $2.4 billion from the Rainy Day Fund.
Jane Nelson
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas university leaders warn of dire consequences if Senate budget is implemented
In a day-long hearing, university presidents and chancellors said their schools might have to lay off faculty and cut classes if hundreds of millions of dollars worth of “special items” aren’t put back in the budget.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A Senate budget that takes more off the top than it first appears
The Texas Senate’s proposed budget, with one exception, is a carefully assembled conservative start to a 20-week legislative spending negotiation. But they finished off their work with a chainsaw.
Posted in
Politics
Dan Patrick makes only one change atop Senate committees
Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
In dueling budget proposals, Texas House and Senate billions apart
Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security.
Posted in
State Government
Backers hopeful Texas ready to screen welfare recipients for drug use
While Texas already has some of the strictest eligibility requirements in the country for welfare benefit applicants, some lawmakers plan to try again next year to add required drug screenings or testing to the process.
Posted in
Economy
Texas lawmakers set a spending cap they likely won’t reach
The Legislative Budget Board picked 8 percent as the growth rate in the state’s two-year budget, capping how much lawmakers can spend in next year’s legislative session. Lawmakers say the state doesn’t have enough money to reach that cap.
Posted in
Health care
Is Texas Building Too Many Medical Schools?
Texas universities are racing to build new medical schools, but without enough slots for post-graduate residents, some worry they’re building a pipeline that will funnel new doctors out of state.
Posted in
Economy
As Oil Prices Plunge, New Scrutiny of Gas Tax Credit
By reclassifying oil wells as gas wells, producers can often claim a generous state tax credit targeting “high cost” natural gas. Now, some lawmakers say the policy deserves a fresh look.
Posted in
Politics
Patrick Says He Tried to Draft Nelson for Lieutenant Governor
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick revealed Friday he tried to draft state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to run for lieutenant governor last year before he decided to enter the race.
