House tentatively passes bill tapping one-third of rainy day fund, 142-2

The House tentatively approved Thursday night a bill to draw down $3.1 billion of rainy-day dollars to help erase the state's current-year budget deficit.
The vote was 142-2. Only Reps. Barbara Mallory Carraway, D-Dallas, and Gary Elkins, R-Houston, voted against, though Mallory Carraway later said she "was confused" and asked House officials to change her vote to "aye," though that doesn't count, in the House journal.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ezArHb

Perry's high-tech fund could award no new $ this summer under House plan

 Texas' Emerging Technology Fund, a pet cause of Gov. Rick Perry, could not spend any money it hasn't already promised to high-tech startups through Aug. 31.
That was the gist of a revised amendment that House GOP leaders agreed to tack onto a stopgap spending bill that the House tentatively approved Thursday afternoon.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/i8DuNf

Senate passes bill limiting HOA bans on solar panels

A bill that would limit bans on solar panels sailed through the Senate this morning, as momentum builds on dozens of bills that would dampen the influence of homeowners associations.

Jessica Meyers reports: http://dallasne.ws/hXmNoE

The Capitol steps: Parks in play, dog and pony show for race tracks

Singer Lyle Lovett made a pitch for allowing slot machines at Texas race tracks on Thursday, part of a growing wave of rallies at the Capitol underscoring severe budget cuts.
About 500 horse and dog supporters turned out to press lawmakers to allow slot machines at the state's existing tracks as a way to revive the racing industry and bring in $1 billion a year to help fill state coffers.
The message comes on the same day as environmental and tourism advocates warned that the proposed budget will close seven state parks, eliminate money for local parks and playgrounds, and slash the Texas Parks and Wildlife agency by 25 percent. It would also end leases for 1 million acres of public hunting land.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hNXR1p

Stopgap bill ratifying cuts backed by 99 Rs -- and Oliveira

The House tentatively passed Thursday afternoon the bill putting into law the so-called "7.5 percent" cuts that state agencies have made to their spending this year.
It was an almost party line vote.
Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, joined 99 Republicans in casting an "aye" vote.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/edp3T6

East Texas GOP freshman White smells an attack ad: 'Not going to play'

Rep. James White , R-Hillister, voted with Democrats several times during Thursday's House debate of a stopgap spending bill. Earlier, he was for channeling any unexpected state tax revenue over the next few months to the blind and deaf schools. On Thursday afternoon, White voted to keep alive two Democratic amendments helping ease cuts in college scholarships.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fdEguk

Dallas' Carter among several Rs who break ranks, vote for deaf and blind

 Freshman Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, and three to four other Republicans on Thursday resisted GOP leaders' call to pull down House Democratic leader Jessica Farrar's proposals to ease cuts at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fb3PuP

Senate panel votes to open up superintendent hiring

Open government groups have been trying it for several sessions, and now they're at it again -- pressing to make the process for hiring school superintendents more public.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/fFPyBh

Conservative Republicans mount counter-attack on Dems' sacred cows

Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, proposed Thursday to cut more deeply into the mostly unused electricity-discount fund for the elderly and poor.

Garrettt: http://dallasne.ws/hLAJ1r

Budget Pie

 In this video, state Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) uses pies to illustrate current budget mess.

House members urged to vote no on proposed budget

School districts across the state are urging their House members to vote no on the proposed budget that will be taken up on the House floor Friday. A letter sent to House members by the Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Boards and Texas School Alliance said the bill "proposes unsustainable cuts to your public schools" and should be rejected.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/gxajMT

Transsexual urges House committee to outlaw employment discrimination

San Antonio Democrat Mike Villarreal told a House committee Wednesday that discrimination against gays and transsexuals in Texas is bad for business.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/ec7MPA

Cut back Perry's mansion for Tarrant ju-co kids? Nope, House says

Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, proposed trimming $35,000 from an account in the governor's office that pays $10,000 a month for rent and maintenance of a rented home for Gov. Rick Perry in a gated community in West Austin. Perry's living there while the arson-gutted Governor's Mansion is being restored.
Burnam wanted to transfer the $35,000 to ease a $4.7 million cut this year to Tarrant County College, which just opened its fifth two-year college in downtown Fort Worth.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fLiVGU

Bills take aim at gas and oil drilling

Texas lawmakers have filed a number of bills that would tighten oversight of oil and gas drilling, provide greater transparency and increase penalties for safety violations.

With the looming budget crisis dominating the 82nd legislative session, it remains to be seen how many of these bills will be passed into law.

Some officials are not optimistic.

Reporter Wendy Hundley: http://dallasne.ws/eIwru5

House backs bill to streamline eyewitness ID rules

AUSTIN — Police would get better guidance on handling eyewitness identifications under a bill the House backed Wednesday, a step advocates say is needed to help fix the leading cause of wrongful convictions.
The measure, which received tentative approval, calls for establishing a statewide standard of scientifically based procedures for law officers on lineups and photo identification.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/fEFk3r

Under the Dome: Legislature briefs

 Catching up: http://dallasne.ws/hCbi39

‘Kinship care’ plan cheats a budgetary death

One in an occasional series

AUSTIN — Sometimes, millions of dollars fall off the table. Just like that.

And sometimes, they jump right back — with an unexpected thud.

Last week, a tiny state program called “kinship care” cheated death that way — at least for now.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fhW8ny

House committee comes under fire for voting to ease new student tests

AUSTIN — A House education committee vote to ease up on a new testing program for high school students drew a stinging rebuke Tuesday from business and education leaders, who argued it would gut recent school improvements in Texas.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/esaHih

Federal judge won't let Texas out of decree on poor kids' dental health

 U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell of Plano has rejected Texas' bid to be freed from a dental corrective action plan and more study of poor children's dental health in the long-running Frew lawsuit.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/eQWnJf

Sex offenders and their employers - who's accountable again?

A few witnesses testifying in favor of Lon Burnam's bill to make sex offenders' employers private are saying that the media are the only ones who benefit from that info being public.

They say it's a reliable source of stories "on a slow news week" and that it was "sad" that one media outlet once did a check of all 93 sex offenders in their viewing area to see if they were working anywhere close to children - no doubt as a way to check up on how well the system works.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/hORy9z

Senate panel advances Nelson-Dewhurst overhaul of health system payments

It wasn't a surprise but we note that Senate Republican leaders' two recycled bills for overhauling Texas' public and private health care sectors won approval from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gKknlU

House remembers racially fueled massacre in an East Texas town

The Texas House shined light on a century-old massacre in an East Texas town where a band of hundreds of white, gun-toting men slaughtered more than 20 unarmed blacks. The white men were never put on trial and the incident has been largely forgotten.
Rep. Mark Veasey, D-Dallas, filed the resolution in an attempt to acknowledge the atrocity and he vowed to investigate further what happened that day in July 1910 and "why the wheels of justice stopped turning."

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/fEJrtk

President Obama to embrace Pickens plan, push for natural gas vehicle incentives

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will effectively join the Pickens army Wednesday when he calls for switching more U.S. vehicles to natural gas — and off oil.

Obama has been inching toward support for Dallas investor T. Boone Pickens’ proposal to convert the country’s heavy-duty trucks to run on natural

Dave Michaels reports: http://dallasne.ws/foehTP

Bill to ban death penalty doomed, but supporters undeterred

AUSTIN — If there is one proposal that is already on death row in the staunchly conservative Legislature, it’s the bill to abolish the death penalty.
But that didn’t stop the lively discussion on the issue in a House committee Tuesday.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/i1Oo4P

Texas harms foster children with inattention, shoddy system, lawsuit says

AUSTIN — Texas violates the rights of abused and neglected children by running a shoddy foster care system, the New York-based group Children’s Rights says in a class-action federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Too many youths are isolated and linger for years in care, the suit says.
The state that says it is working on fixes and that most foster children are safe.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hH60So

Legalized poker, casinos and slots being considered in House committee

Poker, slots and casinos. Tuesday is Trifecta day in the House.

Gaming supporters will get their first hearing of the session on Tuesday as they bring a slew of bills to expand gambling in Texas at a time when the state faces a $23 billion shortfall in the next two years and is in desperate need of non-tax revenue.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/g0kvwC

Anti-lawsuit group gives big bucks to Texas legislators as it pushes for ‘loser pays’ law

 AUSTIN — When Gov. Rick Perry urged the Legislature this month to pass a “loser pays” bill to curb lawsuits against business, a key ally at his side had already paved the way.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/hkaU2Z

Texas universities warn students of delay in financial aid information

AUSTIN — Texas’ largest universities have warned tens of thousands of students and parents that the amount of state aid they can expect — if any— will not be certain until midsummer, once state lawmakers reconcile a massive budget shortfall. University financial aid offices usually send packages in March that detail how much students will receive in aid for the upcoming school year. Because major cuts are proposed to financial aid, they will be forced to either wait or send partial notices that do not include a state aid figure.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/dTU54Y

Houston Rep. Alma Allen's husband dies

Bob Garrett reports: http://dallasne.ws/fEfdes

Texas Rep. Ron Paul weighs third bid for president while promoting his views

DOVER, N.H. — Ron Paul is back on the campaign trail — still railing at the Federal Reserve, still revving up crowds with demands for small government and the right to grow hemp, still demanding that the U.S. stop acting as the world’s policeman.

Gillman reports: http://dallasne.ws/fdLisS

Pickett says he voted his conscience, not the party line, on voter ID

Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, stood out in a high-profile, roll-call vote in the Texas House late Wednesday: He was the only Democrat to support the much-debated voter ID bill.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hRw1VA

Texas Board of Education might need to be expanded, lawmaker says

AUSTIN — The chairman of the House Redistricting Committee said Friday that he will ask House Speaker Joe Straus to order a study on whether the 15-member State Board of Education should be expanded. Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, said that after his committee drew a new proposed map for the current board — based on 2010 census numbers — it became evident that some of the board districts are too large. The two most prominent examples are in the western half of the state.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/eahKkT

House transportation committee expected to take up TxDOT sunset bill today

Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, should get her chance this morning to present the 2011 sunset bill for the department of transportation. A member of the transportation committee and sunset advisory commission, Harper-Brown has long been critical of the influence Texas Gov. Rick Perry has over the department. You can watch the hearing live by clicking here.

Lindenberger reports: http://dallasne.ws/eFLkx5

The Dallas Morning News named best big-city newspaper in Texas

Congratulations to our own Jim Drew and all the fine journalists at all the newspapers who work so hard to bring you the news...Now get back to work!

The Dallas Morning News was named top newspaper of the year in the largest circulation category at Sunday’s 2011 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors awards presentation. Also Sunday, News staffers Steve McGonigle, James Drew and Ryan McNeill won the Headliners Star Investigative Report of the Year award for their stories on Gov. Rick Perry’s approval of millions in taxpayer money to companies with investors or officers who are large Perry campaign donors. Their work was chosen as the best of all divisions in the Star investigative category.
 http://dallasne.ws/gDraGB

Texas adds 22,700 jobs in February, jobless rate dips to 8.2 percent

Texas continued to add jobs in February — just not as quickly as it seemed to be doing in January.
State employers expanded payrolls by 22,700 jobs in February, and the Texas unemployment rate edged down to 8.2 percent from 8.3 percent the month before, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday.

Brendan Case: http://dallasne.ws/eL81Tw

Child advocates warn cuts could put thousands 'in harm's way'

Child welfare advocates popped their umbrellas Thursday to tell lawmakers that their budget's about to pour misery on helpless children in bad homes.

By lopping off 406 Child Protective Services caseworker positions, GOP leaders' initial budgets would drastically downsize the agency. Getting rid of the 406 workers, plus 344 support staff and supervisors, is the equivalent of wiping out three of the department's 11 regions, speakers said.

Garrett reports: http://dallasne.ws/gtMR3D

Some Texas lawmakers cast votes for fellow members on bill meant to protect elections

AUSTIN — As they debated a photo identification mandate for voters, House members passionately and frequently defended the imperative of ballot integrity.

And then, often and openly, many of them voted for themselves, then reached over and cast their colleagues’ votes, too, on some of the bill’s 63 amendments.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/eLWXOA

Video:

Hispanics now majority of Texas public school students

In a shift anticipated for years, Latino children now for the first time make up the majority of Texas public school students.

Unmuth reports: http://dallasne.ws/gzCvfh

Cuts to Texas nursing homes, in-home care carry economic costs, groups warn

 AUSTIN — Leaders in the nursing home and in-home care industry warned Tuesday of dire consequences if the Legislature approves deep budget cuts.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ftZ1bW

Nelson's panel urges $4.5 billion of eased cuts in social services

 Mental health services would be restored. Child Protective Services would actually gain, not lose, front-line staff. Current rates would be kept, not cut, for paying foster care providers. And Medicaid fees would be cut only by 1 percent for doctors and 3 percent for hospitals, "over where reimbursement rates are today," said Sen. Jane Nelson, describing a list of recommendations her subpanel of Senate Finance approved Thursday.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/f7nmYW

State budget agency predicts huge job loss based on House budget

The Legislative Budget Board, a nonpartisan state agency that helps lawmakers with budget numbers, predicts that House version of the 2012-2013 state budget would result in 272,000 fewer jobs in Texas the first year and 335,000 fewer in 2013.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/fMjyet

The Economist says Texas model showing cracks

A thoughtful piece in the respected The Economist looks at the Texas boast in the past few years of outpacing all other states. It finds that the state's current budget problems is putting the theory of low-taxes and low-spending to the test. While creating some good job growth, the state's lean spending -- now that there's no money to keep up -- could leave the most vulnerable Texans in dire situations that would take the gloss off any state.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hHrUSs

Senate budget writers adopt school funding reduction plan

 The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday adopted a school funding plan for the next two years that would cut basic funding for school districts by nearly 6 percent - or $2 billion a year - to handle a massive state revenue shortfall. The committee voted 13-2 to approve the recommendations of a special subcommittee on education funding that was chaired by Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, who also serves on the finance committee. The two no votes were cast by Democrats on the panel.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/dMPYXT

Prospects dim for full funding of AIDS drugs for low-income Texans

A Senate Finance subcommittee charged with spreading budget cuts across social services programs took a step Thursday toward possibly restricting free drugs for about 14,000 Texans with HIV or AIDS.

The Texas HIV Medication Program, which supplies life-sustaining anti-retroviral drugs to people with HIV or AIDS who can't afford them, will run out of money in the next two years and be forced to cut off enrollment, tighten eligibility or stop covering some drugs unless the state provides an additional $19.2 million, officials have said.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fkffgq

Garrett's story from last October: http://dallasne.ws/dZUmk8

Texas House OKs bill requiring voters to show ID

 AUSTIN — The Texas House has approved a bill requiring residents to show photo identification before voting amid complaints from Democrats who say it's designed to erect hurdles for poor and minority voters.

The legislation cleared the House 101-48 Wednesday night after more than 11 hours of debate in which Democrats repeatedly tried to derail it.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/g9cEdM

Texas House panel approves budget cutting state aid to public schools

 AUSTIN — Texas would cut its funding of public schools for the first time in memory under a budget that a House panel approved Wednesday. Voting along party lines, the House Appropriations Committee endorsed the $164.5 billion, two-year spending blueprint by a vote of 18-7.

Garrett:  http://dallasne.ws/hbAdzZ

Central Texas site holds North America’s oldest proof of human settlement, researchers say

A Central Texas floodplain has yielded what its discoverers are calling the oldest credible evidence of human settlement in North America — going back as far as 15,500 years, 2,500 years before the Clovis technology once accepted as the benchmark for the first Americans.

Loftis: http://dallasne.ws/hcM1wx

House Republicans knock down amendments to voter ID bill

Most amendments offered by House Democrats to a GOP-backed voter ID bill were being rejected Wednesday by the Republican majority. That included such proposed changes as allowing voters without a photo ID to sign a affidavit affirming their identify. Republican sponsors of the voter ID bill argued against the exemption, insisting that it ran counter to their desire to have most Texans prove their identify with a photo ID before being allowed to vote. The affidavit amendment was rejected along partisan lines on a 99-48 vote.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/eEHm1X

The House budget: come 'wonk' with me

Just by broad sections of the budget, known as "articles," here's what stands out, on first glance:
If you look at state funds, both the "pure" general revenue and the dedicated taxes, Natural Resources took the biggest hit, a 26-percent reduction. That's things like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Parks & Wildlife.
Trailing in second place, unluckily: higher education, where state funding would be reduced by 12.3 percent.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gZIvEZ

Pitts: I'd like to 'make it better,' but many Rs will balk

 Rep. Jim Pitts said he'd like to see House-Senate budget negotiators massage the budget his Appropriations Committee approved Wednesday -- and even "make it better."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ewh4eD

House Appropriations passes budget, 18-7

On a party-line vote, the House Appropriations Committee approved a $164.5 billion, two-year budget early Wednesday. The vote was 18-7, with two members absent.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fAO36X

Ethics watchdog sues for Tom DeLay FBI files

 The ethics watchdog group CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) went to federal court today in an effort to pry loose records from the Tom DeLay investigation.

Gillman reports from our DC bureau: http://dallasne.ws/hNgzZy

House Dem thanks colleagues, slams election contest

 House Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, took a few moments on the House floor today to thank her colleagues for their support through an effort by her failed election opponent, Dan Neil, to overturn his November loss.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/eoMaWl

School paddles too dangerous for Capitol, lawmaker says

When opponents of corporate punishments came to the Capitol to testify against paddling schoolchildren last week, they were met with a stunning irony.
The paddles they had brought with them to show lawmakers during the hearing were not allowed inside the building, one lawmaker said.
Brooks gets to the bottom of the story: http://dallasne.ws/htBYGk

Texas police groups that oppose immigration laws find many lawmakers resisting their message

 AUSTIN — Law enforcement officials, like military veterans, usually receive special regard at the Legislature, but this year, many police and sheriffs are finding themselves handcuffed instead of saluted.

The difference is that many lawmakers believe police officials, who say they don’t want illegal immigration enforcement dumped in their laps...

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hTuB83

Dewhurst roots for home team, although his roots are elsewhere

Hoppe spots a Wildcat: http://dallasne.ws/gHy67j

Cough, sputter, splat: It's tobacco tax time!

Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, is a well-known "chaw-er" and dipper in the Legislature. Last session, he was not too happy when colleagues raised taxes on smokeless tobacco products. On Monday, Ritter vented to fellow members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Garrett waves away the smoke: http://dallasne.ws/gNrvy0

Negotiations continue on sonogram bill

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said he and House members are still looking for a way to reconcile the two versions of the sonogram bill.
Patrick passed the strongest version he could in the Senate. The House went with a more stringent protocol authored by Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville. Patrick said that while he likes the House version, he couldn't get it passed in the Senate, and he's hearing that the House doesn't like the concessions in his bill and won't pass it.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/gOSAd7

House committee passes first batch of HOA bills

A House committee passed a host of homeowners association bills this morning, as members showed an increasing readiness to tackle HOA concerns.

The Business and Industry committee approved bills that would limit HOAs from banning solar panels, require associations to give greater notice of payments before a foreclosure and ensure late dues are paid before attorney fees. They move on to the full House.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/eT8Mb2

Texas leaders vow to fight EPA regulations

A group of defiant Texas leaders outlined a game plan Monday in the continuing battle with federal officials over "onerous" environmental regulations that they say could create an unstable business climate.

The group of congressmen, state senators and house members vowed to fight the Environmental Protection Agency with law suits, state constitutional amendments and legislation that would block environmental mandates.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/gujJUz

Voter ID bill delayed on technical point of order

A GOP-backed voter ID bill was delayed from House consideration until later this week after a Democrat raised a technical point of order that ended debate on the measure on the House floor Monday. Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, said she hoped to bring the legislation back before the House on Wednesday after corrections are made. The bill is expected to easily pass the House, where Republicans hold a solid majority of seats.]

A legislative analysis of the bill neglected to indicate whether the requirement was six calendar days or six business days to return with the ID.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/gXaFK2

Senate budget writers put it in high gear

Garrett with the details: http://dallasne.ws/h4Jm1m

Texas’ tea party has a stronger mix of social issues than most

AUSTIN — As the national tea party movement focuses on cutting the reach of government, the mix in Texas is a different brew — laced with social agendas and served with a twist of old-fashioned religion.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/hWZF0W

House takes up voter ID

 Voters would be required to show their drivers license or another picture identification under a bill expected to pass the full House on Monday.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/fjQfXR

Analysis by The News finds Dallas area’s clout in Legislature has slipped

 AUSTIN — The Dallas area’s legislative clout has slipped slightly since the last session two years ago, a Dallas Morning News analysis has found, driven by key retirements and an infusion of tea party-supported House members who unsuccessfully pushed for a new speaker.

Garrett, Kim report: http://dallasne.ws/f8Y6fk
Statewide graphic: http://dallasne.ws/gnLlGH --more links from there.

Rick Perry: National Review cover boy

Look for National Review to have a cover story on Rick Perry. The issue isn't on the stands yet, but it's a very bullish profile that paints Perry as a principled advocate of states rights and a real conservative (not like George W. Bush).

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/eR8teh

Dan Neil concedes House race

Four months later, we can say with confidence that Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, is the winner of House District 48. She won by four votes.

Challenger Dan Neil threw in the towel Friday. He had appealed the election to the House, where Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, was appointed special master to oversee the contest. Evidence was presented and Hartnett said that Howard won, though not by much. The committee overseeing the election contest agreed 9-0.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hRs7Gb

Japan disaster offers another way for Texas' Comanche Peak nuclear plant to imagine worst conditions

If North Texas ever suffered a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, nuclear power safety would not be the first worry. But we have our own weather emergencies: severe storms, floods and tornadoes. And we have a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood: Comanche Peak, about 80 miles southwest of Dallas in Glen Rose.

Weiss: http://dallasne.ws/f3Fp5s

Texas Senate panel backs funding cut of almost 6 percent for public schools

 AUSTIN — A Senate panel has tentatively agreed on a basic funding cut of nearly 6 percent for public schools — or $2 billion a year over the next two years — to meet a massive state revenue shortfall.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/fbXYxr

Brewpubs hope to sell their beer in stores, but the Legislature’s reception might be frosty

AUSTIN — The first clue this wasn’t your average Capitol legislative event was the table piled high with T-shirts offering a solution to the state budget crisis.
“Drink Beer — Save Texas.”

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/gCqn9q

Eltife: 'We're playing a game ... and I'm not going to be a part of it'

 How hard will it be to keep Senate Republicans, much less Senate Democrats , in line behind a two-year budget that cuts far, far more deeply than the one passed in 2003? For the past 48 hours, lobbyists and social services advocates have been pointing to remarks Tuesday morning by Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, as proof it'll be cussedly difficult.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hxkPrq

Texas Senate passes bill to tighten up police lineup practices

 

AUSTIN — Law enforcement agencies would have to adopt written eyewitness identification policies based on proven standards for police lineups and other ID practices under legislation unanimously approved Wednesday by the Senate.

The measure was prompted by the large number of convictions in Texas overturned by DNA evidence in recent...

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/gmYVba

Rainy day money lets Texas budget writers fill holes, but some say craters remain

AUSTIN — Four community colleges wouldn’t be closed, more than 10,000 disabled Texans wouldn’t lose in-home services, and Child Protective Services wouldn’t lose about 500 front-line workers under the House’s latest version of a two-year state budget. Even with a few billion added after resolution of a deadlock over rainy day money, though, the House’s emerging budget remains rife with painful cuts, advocates complained Wednesday.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hMKHmP

Texas House committee OKs concealed guns on campuses

 AUSTIN — A House committee voted late Wednesday to allow concealed handguns on college campuses, after dozens of students, law enforcement officials and lawmakers debated whether doing so would make schools safer or more dangerous.
Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/e18MnW

House bill that aims to allow guns on campus to be heard in committee

House members will take a first shot at a handful of gun rights bills Wednesday that would allow concealed carry on college campuses, technical institutes and school board meetings.
The House Homeland Security & Public Safety committee will hear several measures that would expand gun rights for concealed handgun license holders, who must be 21 year old, complete a 10-hour course and undergo an in-depth background check.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/e0EypR

Dog owners, breeders, others testify against ‘puppy mill’ bill

 AUSTIN — Pet owners told lawmakers Tuesday that shady puppy mill operators will remain active under the radar while reputable breeders are put out of business under a bill discussed by a House committee.

Roughly 20 opponents — breeders, dog owners, a few law enforcement officials and a veterinarian — ...

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/i7pWi2

Texas Senate approves bill to let employees keep guns in cars at work

AUSTIN — Texans would be guaranteed the right to store legally owned guns in their vehicles while at work under a bill approved Tuesday by the Senate.
The measure by Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, would prohibit employers from adopting policies that ban legal firearms and ammunition in their employee parking lots. Vehicles with a gun inside would have to be locked.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/giQBLz

Deal breaks impasse on using state’s rainy-day money

 AUSTIN — Three of the state’s top Republican leaders broke an impasse over spending rainy-day money Tuesday, agreeing to spend one-third of the $9.4 billion available — but no more.
Gov. Rick Perry approved using up to $3.2 billion of savings to cover the current year’s deficit, issuing a joint statement with Comptroller Susan Combs and House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/g4l13P

House panel tentatively approves two-year budget

The House Appropriations Committee tentatively adopted and sent to the printer Tuesday night a two-year budget after it undid $2 billion of cuts to public schools, $2 billion of cuts to Medicaid and social services, and about $300 million of cuts to prisons and other programs.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/dEK5V3

Perry's change of heart. Texas got musta got a lot rainier in two weeks.

 Gov. Rick Perry signed off on tapping the rainy day fund today. Yet he seemed so adamantly, sincerely, immovably against it just two weeks ago when we asked him about it:
Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/eUQC2M

House budget writers adopt social services cuts, 16-8

The Appropriations Committee just approved deep cuts to the Health and Human Services Commission and the four departments it oversees. The vote was 16-8. It wasn't quite along party lines, as Rep. Susan King, R-Abilene (right), joined dissenting Democrats.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/f936lX

Villarreal calls deal 'an embarrassment,' a prelude to awful education cuts

 Rep. Mike Villarreal says Texas' GOP leaders are simply trying to avoid "a disaster" -- a cash-flow crunch this summer that prevents the state from being able to pay its bills. But while the San Antonio Democrat said he would vote for a rainy-day deal to avoid such "an embarrassment," the deal itself is embarrassingly short-sighted.
 http://dallasne.ws/i9Xwlf

Rainy-day deal announced: Perry OK with using up to $3.2 billion

A "one-time draw," not to exceed $3.2 billion, from the Texas rainy day fund was just blessed by Gov. Rick Perry, Comptroller Susan Combs and Speaker Joe Straus.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/eiz79a

Capitol Minute for 3/15

Brooks and Mulvaney discuss the Rainy Day fund and Puppy Mill legislation:

California is fed up with Rick Perry

 SACRAMENTO , Calif. — California has had just about enough of Rick Perry and Texas triumphalism.
As any Texan is quick to tell you, the Lone Star State is the greatest place on planet Earth, far superior to anywhere in Yankeeland (most especially New York) and that loopy, arugula-eating capital of boogie boards and Botox, California.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/fEOdpB

Dozens of animal-related bills show wide interest in pet protection

AUSTIN — Texas has long lagged behind other states in its regulations to prevent harm to animals, advocates say, but that may be changing as lawmakers are considering dozens of proposals to strengthen protections.
At least 30 bills have been offered, ranging from crackdowns on puppy mills and cockfighting to

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/hmNoen

Pitts: Perry, House have tentative deal to spend $3.2 billion of rainy-day $

 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts confirmed Tuesday that House GOP leaders have a tentative deal with Gov. Rick Perry that he will publicly lend his approval to their drawing down $3.2 billion of rainy-day money to finish eliminating the current budget cycle's deficit.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/f8eClP

Sanctuary city bill clears committee

The practice of sanctuary cities, where illegal immigrants could find safe harbor, would be prohibited under a bill that cleared the House State Affairs Committee on Monday. Although no proponents, including Gov. Rick Perry, could name a sanctuary city in Texas, many lawmakers frustrated over illegal immigration have said that they want to send a message that the state will seek to deport those here illegally.

Hoppe:  http://dallasne.ws/ggaDdP

Perry's office said to no-show House budget meeting

House chief budget writer Jim Pitts said late Monday that he's been told by an unnamed aide to Gov. Rick Perry that the Republican governor is willing to convey publicly that he deems it OK to spend rainy-day dollars to erase a current-cycle budget deficit.
Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said he expected a Perry representative to do that at this afternoon's House Appropriations meeting but no one showed. Committee aides weren't able to reach anyone by phone in the governor's budget office, said Pitts, who held open his meeting for at least 15 minutes before finally adjourning until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fieQHq

Chen Button frets over tapping rainy-day money

Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, says she and her constituents are nervous about using rainy-day fund money. She sought assurances Monday afternoon that the money wouldn't be used for ongoing state expenses.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fa7K8a

Comptroller's office: Don't expect an oil-price surge bonus

While gasoline pump prices are surging, the Texas comptroller's office continues to discourage lawmakers from anticipating relief from budget cuts in the form of an upward revision of oil severance tax revenues.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ejsqN9

Path of Destruction

The Zeta drug cartel has fueled violence, corruption and mayhem from South America all the way to North Texas. 
A series in the Dallas Morning News: http://dallasne.ws/hemQTr

California, Texas take different courses on plugging fiscal holes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rick Perry and Jerry Brown are very different governors who don’t agree on much, including how to solve their states’ budget crises.

Brown has proposed an even mix of cuts and taxes to close California’s $25 billion gap. Perry is pushing cuts alone to fix a budget...

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/f3iHeo

Combs adds $300M to her revenue estimate for this year

Comptroller Susan Combs increased her revenue estimate Monday for the current fiscal year by $300 million. She cited improved sales tax collections.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hUXCkp

Parents, teachers rally in Austin against school funding cuts

AUSTIN — Thousands of parents, teachers and public school supporters rallied at the Capitol on Saturday to deliver a stern warning to the Legislature: Don’t even think about cutting education funding as severely as some lawmakers want to balance the state budget.
Taking aim at preliminary funding proposals that would slash $5 billion a year from public education, educators and PTA members from North Texas and across the state protested that the unprecedented cuts would undermine years of progress in Texas schools.

Stutz: http://bit.ly/h16xhw

Gambling interests boost lobbying, hope Texas jumps at potential new revenue

 AUSTIN — Racetrack and casino investors are paying a pack of expensive, well-connected lobbyists to push for expanded gambling, potentially spending nearly twice this year what they did in 2009, during brighter financial times.

Shannon: http://bit.ly/fJke0m

Crownover supports using rainy-day money to eliminate current deficit

Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, issued a lunch-time press release Friday saying count her "aye" on Monday's House Appropriations vote to tap the rainy day fund to erase Texas' $4.3 billion deficit in the current budget cycle

Garrett: http://bit.ly/hfMhKP

Fireworks in Appropriations over Perry's 'grandstanding'

Different House budget writers accused Gov. Rick Perry this afternoon of: a) creating a misunderstanding; b) misrepresenting facts; and c) grandstanding for a national political audience.
At issue was a list Perry's office circulated to lawmakers this week that has a headline, "Additional FY 11 Cuts." It seemed to suggest eight ideas that would save the state a total of $1.5 billion fiscal year 2011, which ends on Aug. 31.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/h9oIjy

House freshman calls for banning virtually all abortions

 Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, has jumped well past the debate on the mandatory sonograms and filed a bill on Wednesday that would prevent any abortion except in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/fEzfWs

 AUSTIN — A proposal to close Texas’ youth lockups and create a new agency needs to be refined to overhaul the juvenile justice system, criminal justice leaders and advocates said Wednesday.

The stakeholders testifying before the House Corrections committee agreed that keeping fewer youths in state-run facilities and moving more...

More from Mulvaney on proposed TYC changes: http://dallasne.ws/esQcn2

Dems upset Perry's utility regulators slashed discounts for the poor, elderly

Democrats on the House budget panel vented fury this afternoon over the Public Utility Commission's recent decision to go beyond the requested budget cuts and slash poor and elderly electricity customers' discounts this summer to 10 percent, from 17 percent.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fNOyzB

California vs. Texas rivalry is all the rage

The Texas vs. California rivalry escalates unabated. As each state deals with its budget problems, a new UCLA study looks at Gov. Rick Perry's claims about the superiority of the Lone Star State -- or at least the superiority of Texas' business climate. While Perry touts his "hunting trips" to lure California businesses to relocate, the study throws into question some of Perry's claims. For example, are businesses fleeing California over high business taxes?
Slater: http://dallasne.ws/eNmIE1

Pitts, Perry tiff on budget escalates

House budget chief Jim Pitts is expected to upbraid Gov. Rick Perry -- or the governor's staff -- this afternoon for circulating a list of suggested cuts, as if to show lawmakers haven't scrubbed spending enough.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/g6xA9G

Capitol minute for March 10, 2011

 On today's Capitol Minute, senior political writer Wayne Slater talks about the big news this session, which might be summarized in three words: Budget, budget and, of course, budget. As we near the halfway point of the 82nd legislative session, Slater looks at Perry's claim that the impending layoffs in public education aren't the state's fault, the upcoming teacher's rally this Saturday at the Capitol, and efforts by members of the House and Senate to soften the blows to social services and education.



Or see it here: http://www.dallasnews.com/video/most-recent/?bcid=821291857001

Senate budget writers whittle down Texas school funding cuts

AUSTIN — Senate budget writers have begun to zero in on a plan to cut public school funding much less drastically than the reductions outlined in preliminary legislative budgets.

The cuts would amount to $4 billion less for schools over two years, a steep figure that would probably still lead...

Stutz:  http://dallasne.ws/esS13X

Bill on pre-abortion sonograms comes as Texas legislators plan to slash contraceptive, OB-GYN care for poor

AUSTIN — The Legislature’s push to limit abortions by compelling women to see a sonogram of fetal development comes as the state is cutting back on medical services to low-income pregnant women.

Republican lawmakers are poised to slash $850 million from pregnancy care and family planning in the next two-year...

Hoppe:  http://dallasne.ws/hbjWTz

Tenth Amendment press conference

Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Republican lawmakers were gathered to showcase a resolution supporting state rights and blasting the federal government for overreaching.

Asked why such attention shouldn't be devoted to addressing the $27 billion budget shortfall, Perry and Dewhurst said lawmakers have been working on ways to cut government since the last legislative session.

Texas teachers urge Senate to keep class-size limit

 AUSTIN — Teacher groups urged a Senate committee Tuesday to reject a bill that would ease class-size limits in elementary grades to help districts respond to massive cuts in state aid. But school chiefs from across the state, including Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, told the Senate Education Committee that a change is needed in the longtime class-size standard.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/fxayue

Rick Perry says he won't endorse a candidate for President

If you ask Rick Perry, he hasn't thought much about the race for president. I asked him Tuesday if any of the Republicans contenders could beat President Barack Obama in 2012. "I have no idea," Perry said, moments after urging Texas lawmakers not to use the rainy day fund to close budget gaps.

Gromer Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/eHkGLZ

State leaders take aim at Washington, brush aside state problems

Gov. Rick Perry and Republican lawmakers took a break from the grim budget news at home to criticize Washington's tax-and-spend philosophy. During the press opportunity touting state's rights, Perry rejected the notion that the state proposed $9 billion in cuts to public education over the next two years would
lead to a mass lay off of teachers.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hUXu98

Sales tax receipts up 9.7 percent last month

 Starting from a very low, recession-racked base a year ago, Texas' consumer economy continues to plug along. It's not catching fire, just steadily eclipsing last year's consumer spending by about 10 percent, more or less, each month.
 http://dallasne.ws/h1hVji

Perry cites ‘bad judgment’ in Texas technology fund deals

Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday that the former director of the state’s Emerging Technology Fund used “bad judgment” in conducting side deals with a member of the fund’s advisory committee, but the governor blamed human frailty, not criminal intent.

McGonigle: http://dallasne.ws/hGr5J3

Senate considers bill to require tolls be removed once debts are paid; NTTA chairman says he's 'conflicted,' but insists NTTA must keep tolls on roads

What if Texas required that every toll road become a free road once tollpayers pay enough to retire the debt required to build the road in the first place? After all that's what happened on Interstate 30, which began as tolled highway and became a free one 24 years later when the state removed the tolls. On Wednesday, the Senate transportation committee took testimony on a bill by Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, that would require toll roads to become free road once their bonds had paid off.

Lindenberger: http://dallasne.ws/hMSJkZ

Health bills in Texas Legislature invoke ‘nanny state’ concerns

"AUSTIN — You eat too much fast food. The kids won’t stop drinking soda. Smokers have overrun the workplace. And only the politicians can save you. That’s what critics are seeing in aggressive moves by some lawmakers to help Texas families by imposing new taxes or even outlawing some things..."

Brooks reports: http://dallasne.ws/eMRJzT

House bill would close the Texas Youth Commission

Closing outlying youth lockups and creating community programs for offenders would save the state money and would modernize the juvenile justice system, said two criminal justice leaders who filed legislation to shutter the Texas Youth Commission and combine it with another agency. The House Corrections committee, lead by bill author Rep. Jerry Madden, R- Richardson , will hear the hefty bill Wednesday. Sen. John Whitmire, head of the Criminal Justice committee, will carry the legislation in the Senate.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/gL9i2k

Craddick in good condition after collapse in committee

 Former House Speaker Tom Craddick collapsed Wednesday morning as he was laying out his bill banning texting while driving during a committee hearing.
Craddick was alert as he was wheeled out of the Capitol hearing room on a stretcher around 8:30 a.m., about 10 minutes after he dropped to the floor as he stood at the podium during the House Transportation Committee hearing.
Staffers said his condition was not considered serious.

Karen Brooks was at the hearing and filed this report:  http://dallasne.ws/fk1DmW

More on poor Texas kids and fears they won't get in to see docs and dentists

 Following up on this morning's post: Tom Suehs, executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said after the House Appropriations meeting that a prime irritant of Committee Vice Chairman Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, is Suehs' proposed move to managed care in dental services paid for by Medicaid. It would save the state $101.6 million in state revenue over the next two years, but that's not the main point, Suehs told reporters.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/eKwNPV

Immigration debate goes to the dogs

 An unlikely stakeholder has entered the immigration debate in Texas: Animal-rights activists. In the coming days, lawmakers who are debating whether to require immigrants to carry their papers and similar bills will get to see the above billboard gracing the highways of Austin - courtesy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"No one should need papers - adopt an undocumented mutt today!" the billboard will read.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/e7Mkgg

Rumor: Trade Rep. Ron Kirk to head Commerce Department?

Could Ron Kirk be gearing up for a job change within the Obama cabinet?

There's speculation today that the president could pick Kirk, the U.S. Trade Representative and former Dallas mayor, to run the Commerce Department.

Gillman in our DC bureau reports:: http://dallasne.ws/eGcByu

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples for Lt Gov in 2014?

Todd Staples isn't a name heard often in the backlogged line of Texas political stair steppers.
But the current agriculture commissioner has worked his way up as both a state representative and senator. He echoes the anti-Washington mantra so successful for Gov. Rick Perry and keeps himself in the public eye on issues of eminent domain and bans against same-sex marriage. He's in his second term as agriculture commissioner, a position that has catapulted others to higher office - just look at Comptroller Susan Combs and the state's current governor.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/ihPKxr

On Collin County Day, memories of war hero and movie star Audie Murphy

 More than 15 Collin County officials stood on the House dais this morning, as House lawmakers passed three resolutions praising the county's rapid population growth and two of its leaders, Collin College president Cary Israel and Rep. Jerry Madden , R-Richardson. The main resolution, HR 740 , says Collin County is known for "safe streets, schools and neighborhoods."

Perhaps the most famous, though, was a former resident, the late Capt. Audie Murphy of Farmersville. 



Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/dWanu0

The proclamation (.pdf) http://dallasne.ws/eR6GJP

Capitol Minute for 3/8/11: Planned Parenthood day in the Texas Legislature

Karen Brooks:



 http://dallasne.ws/hhbqJ7

Sunday liquor sale proposal could face rough road

 A proposal to allow Sunday liquor store sales is dividing two trade industry groups, meaning it could have a rough ride this legislative session. A leader of the Texas Package Stores Association told the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on Tuesday there's been no great demand from customers that liquor stores open on Sundays. Plus, opening on Sunday would likely spread the same sales over seven days instead of six, said association president Greg Wonsmos, who's also president of Centennial Fine Wine and Spirits.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/eRwT4y

House Democrats' political arm seizes on school cuts, buys ads

 House Democrats have begun trying to regain seats lost in November, seizing on proposed budget cuts to public school.
A radio spot produced by the House Democratic Campaign Committee is airing in Corpus Christi, where the party lost two House seats on Nov. 2: Abel Herrero lost to Republican Connie Scott and Solomon Ortiz Jr. fell to Republican Raul Torres.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hubyzr

Turner: Poor kids' teeth -- and well being -- once again at risk

 Managed care, the shift from paying for health care on a fee-for-service basis to an up-front, lump sum per patient, is a politically supercharged issue this session. Every time Texas is in a budget crunch, it looks for potential savings from expanding managed care to another type of health care, another region, another set of Medicaid patients.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gSbV6i

Texas House panel considers proposals weakening HOAs

 Homeowners associations would lose significant power to foreclose on homes if bills discussed Monday in a House committee continue their momentum.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/hzZL2l

Texas House panel approves voter ID bill

AUSTIN — Legislation that would for the first time require Texans to show a photo ID to vote was approved by a House committee on Monday and sent to the full House, where it is expected to easily pass.




Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/dXj0zQ

Dallas senator’s bill takes tech fund management from Perry’s office

 AUSTIN—The chairman of the state Senate business committee said Monday that he wants to sweep away the “appearance of impropriety” swirling around the Texas Emerging Technology Fund by overhauling its management.
Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, said he introduced a bill to realign the economic development fund’s decision-making structure in response to a series of stories in The Dallas Morning News.

Drew and McGonigle: http://dallasne.ws/fqyjVr

Senate Education Committee to hear class size bill

Legislation that would ease the quarter-century-old law that limits classes in kindergarten through fourth grade in Texas schools to no more than 22 pupils will be considered by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The measure by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, would replace the strict cap on class size with an average class size that must be maintained across school districts. The bill now calls for an average of 21 students in those classes. Under the 22-pupil limit, the average is now 19.3 students.

Stutz:  http://dallasne.ws/flgfMY

Brooks offers a preview of the upcoming week in today's Capitol Minute

 

http://dallasne.ws/hXOVbY

The House and Senate at odds over versions of sonogram bill

 The House version of the bill that would require a woman to have a sonogram when seeking an abortion passed the floor today 107-42. What would seemingly be the next step in rapid passage for the measure may be the beginning of a stare off between the House and the Senate, which has already passed a similar, less strict version.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/fX4lDK

Perry and Pitts battle for freshmen hearts and minds

Gov. Rick Perry today reminded House Republicans, especially freshmen, of the Nov. 2 election results. He urged them to postpone a decision on using rainy-day money to patch a hole of between $3 billion and $4 billion in the current two-year budget cycle that ends on Aug. 31, said House GOP Caucus Chairman Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fu0JTG

Combs nudges lawmakers to solve current budget gap

 Comptroller Susan Combs just issued a press release in which she reminded lawmakers that the deficit of some $4 billion in the current-cycle budget is a matter of considerable urgency.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ic76Pc

Combs' press release: http://www.window.state.tx.us/news2011/110307-deficit.html

Giant Luminant plants that failed during Texas winter storm are major part of Energy Future Holdings’ financial woes

 After the Texas power grid went down Feb. 2 in a series of rolling blackouts, it was impossible to miss a single, unsettling fact: Much of that outage was caused by the failure of four coal-burning plants, all owned by Luminant, the state’s largest power generator.

Gwynne, Souder, and Jacobson report: http://dallasne.ws/gGnjdC

DWI offenders who paid surcharges upset over Texas amnesty program

"...nearly 60 percent of those slapped with the surcharges — an estimated 1.2 million drivers — have been unwilling or unable to pay. So Texas offered an amnesty program beginning in January allowing many of those drivers to get square with the state and get their licenses back.

Those who paid, though, appear to be out of luck."

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/gtwkZs

Man with checkered financial history profited on private deals while running Texas Emerging Technology Fund

Alan Kirchhoff had two bankruptcies in his past and a job repairing cracked windshields in a Colorado parking lot when he moved to Texas for a fresh start.

He found a home in Gov. Rick Perry’s office. Kirchhoff rose rapidly, culminating with his appointment as director of the governor’s prized economic development program, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. There, he made friends with a powerful member of the fund’s advisory committee, William E. Morrow.
Drew, McGonigle: http://dallasne.ws/garOu8

Texas wildfire forecast hit the target, warns of impending disaster

 Sunday’s outbreak of 21 West Texas wildfires, which burned nearly 121,000 acres, occurred almost exactly as expected. An advance notice from the Texas Forest Service warned that a “powerful storm” with high sustained winds and gusts of 60 mph posed danger for much of the flat, dry region.

Environmental writer Randy Lee Loftis reports: http://dallasne.ws/dUrgdi

Map: Burn bans cover most of Texas  http://dallasne.ws/h33KQt

Pitts tries to tap not just funds but his troops' -- and the House's -- pride

Basically, Pitts is telling Republican House colleagues: Sooner or later, you're probably going to cast a vote to spend nearly half -- who knows, maybe more -- of the $9.4 billion rainy day fund. So why let some SENATORS decide where the late money goes? (For more of what Pitts said, click here.)

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gqkvqS

Texas lawmakers file bills to allow casinos, slots at racetracks

AUSTIN — Proponents of slot machines at Texas racetracks leaped forward Thursday with new legislation by a heavy hitter in the House, while those who want Las Vegas-style casinos pressed their own case. Both factions showed their hand with time ticking away in the legislative session and lawmakers’ appetites growing for money to help fill a huge budget gap.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/dWt3uX

Bill requiring pre-abortion sonograms approved in Texas House

 AUSTIN – The House, fueled by a Republican supermajority, tentatively approved one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation late Thursday, voting to require that women receive a sonogram, view the image, hear a fetal heartbeat and listen to a description of the development.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/gua3hf

Mandatory sonogram; how 'bout mandatory vasectomy?

 As the debate on sonograms for women seeking abortions hit the four and a half hour mark, Rep. Marisa Marquez, D-El Paso, offered an amendment that shook up the House and changed some alliances.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/gQwGkD

Bill requiring pre-abortion sonograms faces more debate in Texas House

 AUSTIN — Legislation requiring women to get a sonogram before having an abortion faces another round of debate in the Texas House.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/eYVvib

House budget chief Jim Pitts optimistic rainy-day funds will be tapped

 AUSTIN — House budget chief Jim Pitts says he’s optimistic House lawmakers will draw down almost half of the state’s rainy-day fund to close this year’s operating deficit. “We can get the votes,” Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said Thursday. Trying to convince fellow Republicans they have no choice but to use rainy-day money, Pitts and Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, closely questioned Comptroller Susan Combs as she appeared before the Appropriations Committee.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/i6KjXJ

Dandy Don honored by Texas House

 Dallas Cowboys and Monday Night Football legend Don Meredith was memorialized in a resolution by the House.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hBE2tT

Students take TAKS tests for last time

Texas public school students are buckling down to take the TAKS test for the last time before it goes into retirement. Testing season began Tuesday with some grades taking reading and writing exams, and will continue through July. Next year, students will have a new test and acronym to remember — STAAR, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. TAKS — the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills — has been in use since 2003 and will soon join its predecessor, TAAS, in retirement.

Katherine Leal Unmuth: http://dallasne.ws/gBrVld

Supporters urge Senate committee to pass statewide smoking ban

AUSTIN — Proponents of a statewide ban on smoking in work settings and most indoor public places urged a Senate committee Tuesday to approve the measure, saying it would save lives and money. “We now know there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke,” said Dr. Susan Rudd Bailey, president of the Texas Medical Association. “It’s basic consumer protection.”

Kelley Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/ghllUD

Senate committee approves one homeowner bill, clashes on other

A Senate committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would enhance voting rights in homeowner associations, even as chances dimmed for another that would restrict bans on solar panels. The bill passed by the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee would ensure that homeowners have the right to run for association boards, expand their voting options and protect proxy voting. It will be placed on a schedule for automatic passage in the full Senate, meaning it should sail through the chamber and head to the House.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/hcFo5p

‘Sanctuary cities’ bill evokes tears, anger in hearing

 AUSTIN — A retired, partially paralyzed police officer begged lawmakers in a twisted, tortured voice to think about how he was shot in the face by a heroin dealer and illegal immigrant. An advocate beseeched them to consider the safety of an illegal immigrant who would never have called the police on her violent husband had she been worried about them asking for her papers.

Brooks:  http://dallasne.ws/fjOgiB

Bills to improve college completion rates may improve economy, lawmakers say

AUSTIN — State higher-education leaders heard testimony Wednesday on two measures that reflect the sentiment of some lawmakers in the middle of a cash-strapped session — to get students into the workforce quickly, pivoting from a focus on enrollment. The House Higher Education Committee was considering legislation filed by chairman Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, that would attempt to improve college graduation rates.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/dLGWss