A Texan for Secretary of State? 
Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson is the most recent Texan to be discussed as a potential cabinet member for the Trump Administration. Tillerson met with President-elect Trump in New York City on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of serving as secretary of state. Tillerson was born in Wichita Falls, attended the University of Texas at Austin, and has served as the CEO of Irving-based Exxon Mobil for more than four decades. To read more…
Special education under review.
After the Houston Chronicle reported that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) was purposely limiting the special education rate to 8.5 percent, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would send representatives from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Service to join the TEA in reviewing special education conditions in five Texas cities this month. The TEA has denied the allegations. To read more…
Texas lawmakers set growth rate.
During last week’s Legislative Budget Board meeting, lawmakers decided on a state growth rate of 8 percent. The Board, chaired by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus, decided to set the rate about 4 percent lower than that of the 2015 session, citing the economic impact of low oil prices. The growth rate determines how much the Texas Legislature can spend in the upcoming session. To read more….
Only in Austin…
Need a dose of holiday cheer? The Trail of Lights at Zilker Park opens to the public for its 52nd year on December 10th. The city expects more than 400,000 visitors to the Trail this season. To read more…