This Week in Texas: Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Posted March 29, 2017 in The Mignon Memo

House committee approves school finance bill.On Tuesday, the House Committee on Public Education voted 10-1 in favor of House Bill 21 by Committee Chairman Dan Huberty (R-Houston). The bill adds $1.6 billion to the state public education system, in part to boost the per-student funding in nearly every district. To read more…

Senate passes budget unanimously.

On Tuesday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1, the general appropriations bill by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). The budget bill, passed unanimously and without amendments, would shift nearly $2 billion in public education costs from the state to local taxpayers.  To read more…

Make your voice heard.

Most Engaged Legislators on Twitter

1 Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) @RafaelAnchia 11,739 rafael.anchia@house.texas.gov
2 Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) @GeneforTexas 11,035 Gene.Wu@house.state.tx.us
3 Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) @KirkPWatson 8,433 kirk.watson@senate.texas.gov
4 Rep. Eric Johnson @JohnsonForTexas 8,156 eric.johnson@house.state.tx.us
5 Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) @DonnaHowardTX 7,323 donna.howard@house.state.tx.us

The 85th Texas legislative session is over halfway done, meaning it’s time to chime in on the issues that matter to you. House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel recommends attending a town hall, testifying at a committee hearing, calling your representative or senator’s office, or engaging with your legislator on Twitter. For more ways to speak up…

Jazz Flute Testimony.On Tuesday, the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee considered Senate Bill 1147, which would establish a Texas State Music Museum and Texas Music Foundation in Austin. Testimony on the bill concluded with a bluesy jam session by a guitar and flute duo who happened to bring their instruments along to testify. To listen…

Only in Austin…

On Sunday, Dustin Johnson beat out Jon Rahm in the 18-hole final of the World Golf Championship-Dell Technologies Match Play at the Austin Country Club. The victory marks Johnson’s third straight PGA Tour title since moving to No. 1 in the World Ranking last month.  To read more