Click here for past posts on the Texas budget - the topics vary depending on what was topical on a given day.
And here are a few random items topical today.
- Lawyer updates Fort Bend leaders on state finance lawsuit.
The massive cuts to public education budget in the 82nd Session of the legislature led to a - still ongoing - lawsuit by 600 school districts against the legislature alleging they violated the Texas Constitutions mandate that appropriate funds be provided to public education in the state. A Texas district judge agreed, but some funds were added in the 83rd Session - which led to a delay in the final verdict.
This story contains an appraisal of what the budget cuts will mean for the quality of the public education system.
- Leap backwards: TxDOT downgrading paved roads to gravel prompts new funding.
A "citizen activist" walks through the problems involved in Texas' method for funding roads in the state - especially roads in rural areas that are being heavily damaged by the increased activity associated with fracking. Not only are insufficient funds being made available for repair - leading the Department of Transportation to propose converting many of these roads to gravel - but few funds area available to police these areas.
The state is reaping the benefits of these increased revenues, but the areas where the drilling is occurring are not.
-Rep. Donna Howard Talks Family Planning, Education, and the Future of the Legislature
A member of the Texas legislature's Women's Health Caucus discusses efforts to undo cuts to women's health and family planning programs.-Higher ed funding fails.
Disagreements over how to distribute over $2 billion in tuition revenue bonds prevented the legislature from authorizing any new campus construction for higher education.