On Monday, State District Judge John Dietz found that Texas’ system of funding public schools is unconstitutional since the state has not provided adequate resources to lift students to the state’s new high standards. Judge Dietz issued his ruling after a 12 week trial involving six separate groups of plaintiffs in several lawsuits combined for the joint trial. The State of Texas is expected to file a direct appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. Rumors in Austin are that a special session will be needed in 2014 to address issues surrounding the court cases.
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus elected its officers: Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, chairman; Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, vice chair; Ana Hernandez Luna, D-Houston, legal counsel; Armando Martinez, D-Edinburg, secretary; and Mary Gonzalez, D-El Paso, treasurer.
With just over a month to go until the filing deadline, Texas legislators have filed 1384 bills. In 2011, 5796 bills were filed so we have a long way to go to catch up to that number.