The Legislature’s top budget writers have penned a letter to The Wall Street Journal questioning the figures in a recent editorial that urged Gov. Rick Perry to veto the state budget.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Public Education
Some High School Students Off Hook on Failed State Exams
High school students won’t have to retake standardized exams they failed in the six subjects that newly signed House Bill 5 eliminates from the state’s testing requirements, the Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday.
Posted in
Health care
“Kumbaya Session” Poised to Be a Distant Memory
After a relatively calm regular session, Gov. Rick Perry is flexing his partisan muscles as the special session presses on. Redistricting, abortion-related issues and a threat to cut off state funding for the Public Integrity Unit are ratcheting up tensions.
Posted in
State Government
Perry Expands Special Session Agenda to Include Transportation Funding
Gov. Rick Perry on Monday added transportation funding to the agenda of the special session. He said Texas’ transportation network is facing added pressure because of the state’s growing economy and population.
Posted in
Higher Education
Perry Signs High School Curriculum, Testing Bill
Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 5 on Monday, ending weeks of speculation that he might veto the high-profile education legislation that adjusts high school graduation standards.
Posted inState Government
The Playlist: Crying, Waiting, Hoping
As legislative supplicants yearn for Gov. Rick Perry to add their pet issues to the agenda of the special session, we begin our weekly news-inspired playlist with Buddy Holly’s “Crying, Waiting, Hoping.”
Posted in
Public Education
Lawyers Ask to Reopen Evidence in School Finance Trial
State District Court Judge John Dietz will hear new evidence in the sweeping school finance trial as he considers the effects of changes made during the recent legislative session.
Posted in
Public Education
Whatever Became of That School Finance Ruling?
It’s now June, and there is still no final decision in the sweeping lawsuit involving more than two-thirds of Texas school districts that arose after the Legislature eliminated roughly $5.4 billion from state public education funding in 2011.
Posted in
Public Education
End of CSCOPE Presents Hurdles for Some Schools
The state’s decision to stop using CSCOPE is a victory for activists who say the lesson plans advanced an anti-American agenda. But small rural districts that relied on it say they’ll now have to spend scarce funds on new materials.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: How’d the Senate Do?
Here’s full video of my May 30 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin.