Texas’ top elected officials are asking state agencies to scale back their budget requests by 4 percent, seeking to further rein in state spending for the 2018-2019 cycle.
state agencies
Posted in
Health care
Sharp Drop in Abortions Followed Restrictions
The number of drug-induced abortions in Texas plummeted in the first full year after the state’s strict 2013 abortion law took effect, according to statistics released Thursday by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Posted in
Health care
More Lawmakers Call on Texas to Postpone Therapy Cuts
With two weeks to go before Texas is set to slash a program’s funding that pays for therapy services for children with disabilities, therapy providers are announcing new support from state lawmakers to postpone the cuts.
Posted in
State Government
Deaf Texans’ Suit Against State Reaches U.S. Supreme Court
Before they can get driver’s licenses, some young Texans must take state-mandated driving courses taught by private contractors. Five deaf students sued the state after they couldn’t get anyone to provide sign-language interpreters.
Posted in
Health care
Under Scrutiny, Abbott Appointee Resigns from Acupuncture Board
After questions about his own medical practice came to public attention, a member of one of Texas’ medical licensing boards has resigned from the position Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him to last month.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Democrats Ask Feds to Intervene on Therapy Cuts
Three weeks before Texas officials plan to slash funding for a program that pays for speech, physical and occupational therapy for children with disabilities, Democrats in the Texas House are asking the Obama administration to intervene.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
10 Candidates Vying to Be Next Texas Prisons Chief
The next executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice will lead nearly 40,000 employees, manage a $3 billion annual budget, direct more than 100 prisons and oversee the nation’s busiest execution chamber.
Posted in
Health care
ACLU: Texas Health Agency Should “Stop Concealing” Abortion Statistics
The ACLU of Texas is demanding that the Department of State Health Services “stop concealing” abortion statistics for 2014 and make the information public.
Posted in
Health care
Gov. Greg Abbott Asks Feds for Zika Funding, Guidance
As Texas braces for a possible Zika virus outbreak via local mosquito populations, Gov. Greg Abbott asked federal health officials Wednesday to review the state’s plan to combat the disease.
Posted in
Health care
Lawsuit Won, Texas Moves to Cut Children’s Therapy Programs
Texas is finally poised to move forward with budget cuts to a pediatric therapy program for children with disabilities, but opponents of the cuts have vowed to continue putting up a fight.
