The House grudgingly voted to accept the Senate’s supplemental budget proposal, which would not restore funding for disabled children’s therapy services.
budget
Posted in
Sold Out
Behind closed doors, Texas lawmakers strip funding for sex trafficking victims
Lawmakers cut a $3 million initiative to help victims of sex trafficking, ending child welfare advocates’ hopes that 2017 would be the year they would finally see funds set aside to help children who had been sold for sex.
Posted in
State Government
Budget compromise taps Rainy Day Fund, transportation funding
Lawmakers, scrounging for cash in a tight-fisted legislative session, agreed to dip into the state’s savings account and to make use of an accounting trick using funds set aside last session for highway projects.
Posted in
State Government
During busy Saturday session, House moves on key pieces of legislation
After moving at a glacial pace several times this Legislative session, the Texas House on Saturday kicked into high gear and passed measures that could help them avoid a special session.
Posted in
Economy
Plan to overhaul Texas Rainy Day Fund and boost returns losing steam
A proposal to dramatically reshape the state’s savings account to set aside more funds for tough economic times has effectively died in the final days of the legislative session.
Posted in
State Government
Senate budget writers approve bill to plug two-year-old funding holes
The Texas Senate Finance Committee has voted to spend about $800 million in state funds to cover a Medicaid shortfall in the current two-year budget.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas budget negotiations turn to higher education as a deal inches nearer
Members of both chambers of the Texas Legislature say they are getting closer to agreeing on a budget. One of the last sticking points? Higher education.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: The only two reasons the Legislature needs extra time
Rumors of a special session are a normal feature in the last days of a regular session. There’s no emergency that would force a special session, but don’t discount the Texas Legislature’s ability to force one by failing to finish its work.
Posted in
Higher Education
Proposed higher education funding overhaul could come with collateral damage
Initiatives to boost small businesses and help poor students get through college could lose their funding amid the Senate’s attempt to fix how the state pays for higher education.
Posted in
Energy
House panel debates state parks funding
A measure that would’ve guaranteed a set amount of funding to state parks was upturned in 2015. Lawmakers and advocates are hoping similar legislation will stick this session.
