NEWS
College-Level Scam
Apparently our state’s colleges and universities don’t have enough to do, so they’re trying to get permission to compete with private-sector telecomm providers. Given how little time so many university employees devote to students, at ever rising tuition rates, one wonders just how expensive this foray will be for taxpayers.
Taxpayers: Legislators Heard You!
Tonight’s budget agreement between the House and Senate is a big win for Texas’ taxpayers, and the future strength of the state’s economy.
Is A Budget Deal Near?
As the close of the legislative session approaches, it appears a deal is nearly done on a 2012-2013 state budget that reflects more closely the conservative principles taxpayers have been demanding from lawmakers.
Why Does Higher Ed Oppose Stewardship?
Texas’ universities have a dirty little secret: they don’t want taxpayers, parents or students looking too closely at their books. And they certainly don’t want to answer questions about performance.
Thousands Of Letters Delivered To Capitol
More than 5,000 letters are being delivered from taxpayers living around the state to their legislators. They are asking lawmakers to adopt a 2012-2013 budget that does not spend beyond the state’s fiscal means, raise taxes, or use the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Dutton’s prisoner redistricting lawsuit is absurd
Houston Democrat Harold Dutton isn’t ashamed to admit that his community and Harris County as a whole spawn a ton of criminals. But as with most lefties, Dutton is so concerned with political power that the he doesn’t care how bad a light the facts of his redistricting lawsuit cast on his county.
Senate Digs Deeper Into RDF
By a vote of 30 to 1, the Texas Senate today passed their version of HB 275 which taps the state’s rainy day fund for the current biennium. They are withdrawing $800 million more than the House.
No Reason For A Special Session
State Sen. Steve Ogden is telling the press today that a special session focused on the budget is in the cards. Sounds like someone may be giving up rather than getting down to work. We should expect more from the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Senate Finance Spends Irresponsibly
Some members of the Texas Senate just can’t keep their hands out of the rainy day fund. The Senate Finance Committee voted today to take even more money out of the fund than the House did to pay for current operations.
Senate End-Run on the RDF
Having already lost once, liberals in the Senate are taking another stab at tapping the Rainy Day fund. Today the Texas Senate allowed Senator Royce West to late-file legislation that would raid the state’s Rainy Day Fund for $2 Billion.
Anything But Efficient
Usually “expanding efficiency” means streamlining and saving money. When the government is involved, more often than not, the opposite is true.
Senate Fails Higher Ed Transparency Test
Texans should be well aware of the ever-growing movement to bring more transparency to the state’s institutions of higher education with Governor Perry leading the charge. Unfortunately, the Texas Senate failed the test of upholding accountability for our public universities, which have been less than eager to open up the ledgers for public view.