Super Bowl host committee reimbursing NFL nearly $10 million for ticket tax

The North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee will spend nearly $10 million — one-quarter of its $40 million in anticipated expenses — to cover the admissions tax on game tickets, in effect allowing the NFL to keep money that would otherwise pay the tax. In its Super Bowl bid specifications, the NFL requires that it pay no sales or ticket taxes on game tickets.
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The Dallas Morning News obtained a copy of the North Texas host committee’s agreement with the league through an open records request to the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
Jacobson: http://dallasne.ws/gfmXuD

Shapiro: 'Stars out of alignment' for schools

[Sen. Florence Shapiro] ticked off reasons why the Senate's initial budget gives public schools $9.3 billion less than they're entitled to under current funding formulas: The state has no money to replace $3.3 billion of federal stimulus money it gave the schools last session. It has no money for the $2.2 billion schools will need to cover projected growth in student enrollment. Nor does the state have $2 billion to offset school districts' loss of tax revenue from a decline in property values, though under current law it's supposed to do that. And so on. [Sen. Florence Shapiro]
http://dallasne.ws/gjpOzn

Hispanic surge, metro area growth could reshape Texas’ political future

The 2010 census shows sharp population growth in Texas from 2000 — almost 4.5 million people, the greatest increase in the nation.

But according to Murdock, 90 percent of that growth comes from just five areas: Dallas-Arlington-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston, San Antonio, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley.

Over the same period, 2000 to 2010, 119 Texas counties lost population, most of them in rural West Texas and the Panhandle.
Michael Young reports:  http://dallasne.ws/gtOEMK

Canadian company’s plans for Port Arthur pipeline spark concerns among Texans

...a Canadian company, TransCanada Corp., came forward with a plan to build a 1,700-mile pipeline to carry heavy, high-pollutant oil from the tar sands under the boreal forests of northern Alberta across the American heartland, through scenic ranchlands in the piney woods of East Texas and on to refineries near Houston and Port Arthur.
http://dallasne.ws/fdAbCz

Settlement reached in lawsuit against billionaire homebuilder Bob Perry

AUSTIN — After a 10-year legal battle, a Mansfield couple who challenged billionaire homebuilder Bob Perry over a defective house have reached a settlement.

“We’re thrilled,” said homeowner Bob Cull, 73, whose case focused attention on how construction disputes can last years without resolution and raised questions about the possible influence of big-dollar campaign contributions.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/dL0q8u

Texas slips in per-pupil education spending among states

AUSTIN — Texas has dropped sharply below the national average in per-pupil spending over the past decade, a new comparison shows, and could plummet further as lawmakers consider changes that would deprive schools of up to $5 billion a year.

The comparison by the National Education Association, a teachers group — based on figures furnished by state education agencies — indicated that in the 2009-10 school year, Texas spent $9,227 per student, a figure that’s $1,359 below the national average.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/hfGW7i

State budget cuts may mean hundreds of nursing homes close, industry warns

AUSTIN — Hundreds of nursing homes, including dozens in Dallas-Fort Worth, may close if lawmakers cut Medicaid as leaders propose, industry officials said Thursday. Since last week, GOP leaders have introduced budgets in both chambers that would reduce by one-third the state’s budget for its 56,000 nursing home residents on Medicaid. Two-year spending would sink to $2.8 billion, from $4.2 billion.

Garrett reports: http://dallasne.ws/eHR3JU