The Blog Posts

03 Jun

Special Session Is In Full Swing – Education Is Coming Up Short

After Republicans finally reached agreement over the most contentious area of budget negotiations – education funding – Democrat Senator, Wendy Davis, successfully filibustered a key piece of legislation, SB 1811, and forced a special session. Governor Rick Perry called a special session on Monday, May 30. The special session began promptly at 8:00 a.m. the following morning and can last as long as 30 days. The first two items on the governor’s list are the non-revenue and school finance bill, SB 1811, and Medicaid reforms that were part of SB... read more

26 May

The Final Countdown – How Do Voters Feel About The Texas Budget Crisis?

It is down to the wire for the Texas Legislature to pass the budget for the next biennium, which ends this coming Monday, May 30. Texas lawmakers agreed to an $80.6 billion two-year spending plan on Saturday, May 21 when a 10-member conference committee, along with Lt. Governor Dewhurst and House Speaker Straus, compromised on the House and Senate budget plans. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst stated that final approval is hinged on the passage of several bills – mainly financing public schools and universities. Four days later, and with only four... read more

19 May

Will There Be A Special Session? Senate Leadership Thinks So, Gov. Perry Disagrees

The end of Texas’ 82nd Legislative session is May 30 – that’s just over ten days – and the Legislature continues to delay important budget measures. Finance measures that are critical to balancing the budget were delayed in the House on May 18 as lawmakers struggled to reach an agreement. “We’re one day closer to a special session,” Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said after House Appropriations Chairman, Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, postponed the House’s consideration of revenue and education bills. Part of the delay was due to... read more

About TCAN

Founded in 1999, the Texas Citizen Action Network is a coalition of organizations dedicated to educating citizens and providing them with the tools to become informed on issues of importance to them, and get engaged at all levels of government. We don’t simply play defense on public policy; we’re pro-active and truly empower Texas activists.

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