As Texas legislators began to speculate about whether and when they will be called into a special session for unfinished business, lawyers and others started looking for ways to avoid it. The simplest idea — an executive order — won’t work.
State Government
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Public Education
Texas school districts cut costs to avoid closure as state funding cuts loom
Superintendents in hundreds of Texas school districts rely on a pot of state funds that expires in September. Without drastic cost-saving measures, some districts are worried they may have to shut down.
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Economy
For daily fantasy sports sites, legal limbo in Texas set to continue
A bill that would have affirmed the legality of some popular fantasy sports sites in Texas died this legislative session, continuing a murky legal landscape for players in the state.
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Higher Education
McRaven on his UT System future: “I want to see the direction the board is going”
With about half a year left on his contract, University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven said no decision has been made about his future of his job. “I have to find out if the board wants me to stay,” he said.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: The Legislature went after ethics reform this session. Did they do enough?
Lawmakers passed broad reforms this year that would increase transparency and conduct among their own ranks. But watchdog groups say they didn’t go far enough.
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Higher Education
In the Texas Capitol this year, university leaders’ worst fears never materialized
University leaders were worried about tuition freezes, funding cuts and other major changes this past legislative session. For the most part, they didn’t happen.
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State Government
Ethics reform not swept under rug, but not sweeping either
Nearly four years after Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Legislature to pass meaningful ethics reform, he’s finally got some of it on his desk. But it’s not as sweeping as the watchdogs wanted.
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State Government
State Rep. Mark Keough not running for re-election in 2018
State Rep. Mark Keough, a Republican from The Woodlands, announced Wednesday he won’t seek a third term in the Legislature.
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State Government
Dallas’ failing pension fund poised for overhaul as bill heads for Abbott’s desk
The House unanimously approved a Dallas pension bill aimed at preventing first responders’ retirement fund from becoming insolvent within a decade.
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State Government
Houston pension bill heads for governor’s desk, but firefighters are still mad
The House passed a controversial Senate version of a Houston pension bill, angering firefighters. But in Dallas, leaders appear to have coalesced around a bill that once divided the mayor and first responders in that city.