Hot List: Day 30 of the Legislature

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The Lead

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas was the major topic at the Capitol yesterday. Two Senate committees heard testimony about the agency better known as CPRIT, which has recently been under scrutiny for mismanagement of public funds. State Auditor John Keel testified that the institute has made egregious financial and ethical mistakes, and Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) discussed a plan to reform the troubled CPRIT at a press conference.

Yesterday’s Headlines

1. Climate change was discussed at the Capitol yesterday during a joint hearing of the House and Senate natural resources committees to examine Texas’ water woes and ongoing drought, as the Observer‘s Forrest Wilder reports.

2. According to Quorum Report, CPRIT’s Interim Executive Director Wayne Roberts promised that reforms—based on Davis’, Keffer’s, and Nelson’s complaints—would be adopted and implemented. (subscription required)

Line of the Day

“I disagree with today’s school finance ruling by the district court in Austin, but I expect an immediate appeal to the Texas Supreme Court…Together we will ensure that Texas continues to have an accountable, efficient system of public education that produces graduates ready to compete in college and in our global economy.” – Lt. Gov. Dewhurst said in a press release.

What We’re Watching Today

1. Governor Rick Perry will speak at 9:15 a.m. at the Alliance for I-69 Texas Legislative Briefing.

2. Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), chair of the House Committee on Public Health, and Texas Public Health Coalition will have a discussion on legislative public health priorities today at 11:45 a.m. at the Texas Medical Association.