Hot List Day 58

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Day 58 of the 82nd Texas Legislature

LINE OF THE DAY
“We do not believe encouraging people to drink more hard liquor is a good reason for passing legislation.”
-Greg Wonsmos, president of the Texas Package Store Association speaking in opposition to Sunday liquor sales

FLOOR PLAY BY ABBY RAPOPORT
In a session with a $27 billion budget shortfall, a looming and often unspoken question tends to linger through hearings and debates: Can cost-cutting mechanisms also make for good policy? At Tuesday’s Senate Education Committee meeting, Democratic senators weren’t so shy in saying “No.” 

OBSERVED
House Appropriations Committee meetings have been nothing short of depressing this week, and yesterday was no exception. Members discussed more Medicaid rate cuts and other “cost containment” measures that will result in fewer poor children getting the health services they need.  

BEST OF THE REST
In the face of the budget crisis, some have actually asked for new or higher taxes. Well, don’t hold your breath as long since state Rep. Harvey Hildrebran, R-Kerrville, is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. As the Austin American-Statesman reports, Hilderbran, like Gov. Rick Perry, signed a no-new-taxes pledge for this session.  

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
No more teachers, no more books? We’ve heard a lot about the potential cuts to public education this session, and today the House Appropriations committee begins the actual decision making process.