The betting here is that state finance is the closing drama of the session and that in spite of the sharper debates here at the end, that everybody goes home singing Kumbaya.
water supply
Posted in
Economy
Agenda Texas: Revisiting the Texas Miracle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama’s visit to Austin on Thursday as part of a new jobs tour has again put the state’s economy in the spotlight.
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Energy
Agenda Texas: What’s Left to Do?
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Water, transportation and education were priorities at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, but how much progress has been made on each?
Posted in
Energy
Groundwater Levels Suffer Sharp Drop, Study Finds
Groundwater levels in Texas dropped considerably between 2010 and 2011, according to a report published recently by the Texas Water Development Board. The Ogallala was among the major aquifers experiencing significant declines.
Posted in
State Government
Agenda Texas: Deadline Week in the House
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Only about 20 percent of bills filed during a legislative session make it to the governor’s desk — and the deadlines that kill off many of those bills are coming this week.
Posted in
State Government
If the Legislature’s in Town, Bills Aren’t Dead
The legislative session is in its last month and most bills will die. But setbacks for the big stuff — water, transportation and the like — are usually temporary.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money, Explosions and Deadlines
In the latest Newsreel: The House fights over whether and how to tap the Rainy Day Fund, lawmakers hold hearings on the explosion in West and Gov. Rick Perry says there is plenty of time left in this session to get things done.
Posted in
Energy
TribLive: Staples on Paying for the Water Plan
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples explained his strong reluctance to use money from the Rainy Day Fund to jump-start the state water plan.
Posted in
Public Education
Guest Column: Let Voters Decide on Rainy Day Spending
The best way to finance Texas’ pressing water and transportation needs — and to supplement spending on public education — is to let voters decide whether to use the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Energy
Video: What’s Next for Water Infrastructure Funding
The day after the leading measure to fund state water projects stumbled in the House, legislators shifted their focus to a bill that some members hope will also include money for education.
