For a generation, Texas budget writers have been taking your taxes and fees, promising to spend the money on worthy causes such as clean air, utility bill relief, parks, clean air, or trauma care, and then quietly diverting that money … Continued
Issues
Missed Opportunity? Funding Texas Schools
One of the clearest, most dramatic areas in which Texas can do better is with our public schools. But with less than two weeks left in this legislative session, it isn’t clear whether the state will seize this chance to … Continued
University Medical Center Brackenridge – Building a New Model
A Diversion by Any Other Name … Is Still Wrong
Before we get started, let’s take a second to remember the victims of last week’s events in West and in Boston, and to pray for all of those affected by those terrible events. It was a difficult, sad week, but … Continued
Why UT Matters
There have been a couple of stories in the last few days and weeks about the University of Texas, its future, and what it means for this state. But odds are, unless you read the newspaper pretty closely, you only … Continued
A Down Payment, Not a “New Normal”
Yesterday, the Senate passed its draft budget for 2014-15. It passed overwhelmingly – 29-2. Obviously, most Democrats in the Senate voted for it. So did I. Does that mean this session’s budget undoes the damaging budget cuts that our schools endured two … Continued
Save Texas Schools Rally
Thank you all for being here … Isn’t it a great day to be in Austin, Texas? And isn’t it great to be supporting Texas schools? I’m honored to welcome you all here to your state capital, and I’m proud … Continued
What “Unconstitutional” Means
I wrote some last week about a judge’s ruling that the way Texas finances schools and education is unconstitutional. But that word, “unconstitutional,” doesn’t really do it justice. The ruling was a sweeping condemnation of the way Texas has failed … Continued
Austin senator wants public vote on budget trick
Texas needs an honest budget. We got another reminder of that this week, when a state district judge declared Texas’ school finance system to be unconstitutional, unfair and inadequate when it comes to the needs of our children. We can … Continued
Ruling shows need for permanent school finance solution
Senator Kirk Watson, Chairman of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, released the following statement today regarding Judge John Dietz’ ruling on Texas’ school finance system: This ruling shows we need to start working, right now, to find a permanent solution … Continued