Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
education
Posted in
Public Education
Special Session Revives Class-Size Debate
Talk of lifting the state’s student-teacher class-size ratio has returned after a bill on the matter died in May. As Mose Buchele of KUT News reports, though some say debate on the issue has downplayed the potential harm for students, others call the worries overblown.
Posted in
Public Education
Video: Teachers, Parents Protest Education Cuts
Teachers and parents gathered today at the state Capitol to protest budget cuts to education funding.
Posted in
Economy
With Filibuster, Wendy Davis Talks Herself Into Political Spotlight
State Sen. Wendy Davis’ controversial decision to torpedo the 82nd Legislative session with a filibuster has catapulted the Fort Worth Democrat into the spotlight, which she has seized to try to mobilize the state’s downtrodden and outnumbered Democrats.
Posted in
Economy
This Time, Budget Bills Sail Through Senate
After last ditch efforts from Democrats to increase funding for schools through closing tax loopholes and tapping the Rainy Day Fund failed, two budget bills quickly cleared the Senate Friday night.
Posted in
Demographics
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
Posted in
Public Education
Video: Dems Ready for Special Session
Texas Democrats, unhappy with the GOP budget, discussed possible strategies today for the coming special session.
Posted in
Public Education
Guest Column: Dems Face Uphill Battle Winning Public Opinion
Republican skepticism about public education spending joined with the governor’s determination to hold the line on spending, including on public education, is likely to carry the day — whether it takes a few hours or 30 more days.
Posted inPublic Education
Final Update: What $4 Billion Less Means For Your School District
A school finance plan has at last emerged from talks between budget and education chiefs in the House and Senate. Here’s what may be the final update to our searchable database.
Posted in
Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Root profiles conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan, Aaronson on the Senate’s flare-up over an airport groping ban, Grissom on some twisted logic in the state’s same-sex marriage laws, Murphy and Macrander expand and refresh our public employee salary database, yours truly with the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll results on politics, issues, the state’s finances, and race, Ramshaw’s report on how some of the governor’s former aides now represent clients who want more money in the state budget, M. Smith on last-minute efforts to save education legislation that didn’t make it through the process, Tan reports on efforts to finish the state budget before the session ends on Monday, and Dehn with the video week in review: The best of our best from May 9 to 13, 2011.