Monday, June 1, 2009

Robert T. Garrett

AUSTIN – Joe Straus literally came out of the blue – little known and indebted to Democrats.

As his first session as House speaker ends tonight, though, Straus stands taller in red precincts of the House than most expected, thanks to a firm stand against Democrats' pressure tactics in the showdown over voter ID.

"He has now proven himself to Republican members," said Corsicana GOP Rep. Byron Cook, a Straus ally.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Robert T. Garrett

AUSTIN – A bill creating a pathway for Texas to have more top-notch research universities cleared the House and Senate on Sunday and is headed to the governor.

The bill would change two sources of state funds, containing about a half-billion dollars, and target them and $163 million in new money as incentives for seven state universities to attract more research money and top faculty.

Campuses in the hunt for the money to possibly become "tier one" universities would include the University of Texas at Dallas, UT-Arlington and the University of North Texas. Others include Texas Tech, the University of Houston, UT-San Antonio and UT-El Paso.

June 1, 2009

Katherine Mangan

Austin, Tex. — Seven universities in Texas that are vying for the prestige and money that come with being designated top-tier research universities got a step closer to their goal on Sunday night with legislation passed by both the House and the Senate, The Dallas Morning News reported today.

The legislation, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, would create financing pools and incentives to allow universities to compete for Tier I status. The 2010-11 state budget includes $50-million for the seven universities, on top of their normal appropriations, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Robert T. Garrett

AUSTIN — Rep. Edmund Kuempel, who suffered a near-fatal heart attack almost three weeks ago,returned to the Texas House this morning amid thunderous applause.

Kuempel, one of the Legislature's most popular members, rolled onto the floor in a wheelchair. He then used a walker to get to his desk, where he kissed hands and greeted colleagues and staff members for more than a half hour.

The visit, widely anticipated, brought joy, laughter and a much needed lift to lawmakers on the final day of a session some criticize as light in accomplishment.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Opinion/Editorials

The 2009 Legislature has set the bold goal of pushing more of Texas' research universities into the ranks of the nation's best.

At a time when many economically distressed states are spreading financial pain to higher education, Texas lawmakers made the shrewd decision to strategically invest.

Posted on Tuesday, June 2

R.G. Ratcliffe

AUSTIN — Amid the bill-killing wreckage of the 81st Legislature, one lawmaker stood out as an unquestionable success: state Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston.

As House speaker pro tempore, Eiland regularly guided the uncontested calendar, often with one of his four children at his side swinging the gavel. Eiland was more of an auctioneer than a presiding officer as local and non-controversial bills by the hundreds passed in a few hours.

But when the calendar for five days bogged down in a filibuster of extended debate to kill the voter identification bill, Eiland won a bipartisan

Amarillo will get to finance project with occupancy taxes

June 2, 2009

Enrique Rangel

AUSTIN - Amarillo will get to finance a convention center with hotel-occupancy taxes, the Texas Tech system got over $800 million and legislation that will help Tech and six other universities get national research institution status got the green light.

In addition, rural counties in West Texas soon will be able to attract more doctors, food banks in Amarillo and Lubbock will get much-needed

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Terrence Stutz

AUSTIN – Extra pay for Texas teachers. Relief for test-taking third-graders but tougher exams for high schoolers. Security for Dallas schools worried about losing money to property-poor districts.

Those were among the education highlights by legislators who, like kids at the end of school term, began streaming home after finishing their five-month work session Monday.

06/02/2009

Associated Press

AUSTIN -- A Dallas lawmaker won applause in the Texas House for risking his own legislation to help a colleague find $150 million for the hurricane-ravaged University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Now, the proposal heads to Gov. Rick Perry.

The House vote came late Sunday, a day before Monday's adjournment of the Legislature's regular session. The Senate had approved the measure earlier.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Enrique Rangel

AUSTIN - Call it tier-one drama.

The bill that will help Texas Tech and other emerging universities get national research institution status was about to be voted on the House floor Sunday night when Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, objected.

Herrero objected that $150 million for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in House Bill 51 would shortchange Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, which is in his district.