Hot List Day 63

Day 63 of the 82nd Texas Legislature

LINE OF THE DAY
“Bail out the bankers and bankrupt the teachers—we will still teach!”
John Kuhn, superintendent of Perrin-Whitt Consolidated Independent School District at the Save Texas Schools rally.

FLOOR PLAY BY ABBY RAPOPORT
At the Save Texas School rally 11,000 frustrated teachers, parents and advocates pushed the state to use the Rainy Day fund on education. But to actually fix the system, lawmakers might have to consider either creating or raising taxes, a fact that didn’t come up much.

OBSERVED
While the Republicans promise to balance the $27 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, they are using hidden fees to do so. As Forrest Wilder reports, the losers are elderly and low-income individuals struggling to pay Texas’ high, deregulated electric rates. 

BEST OF THE REST
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the sanctuary cities bill may undergo some big changes. Certain portions dealing with public school enforcement may be stripped from the bill thanks to Democratic efforts. 

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
While the Republicans promise to balance the $27 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, they are using hidden fees to do so. The losers are elderly and low-income individuals struggling to pay Texas’ high, deregulated electric rates.