This Week in Texas: Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Posted April 19, 2017 in The Mignon Memo

It’s the final countdown!

Monday marked the beginning of the last six weeks of session. Here are some dates to watch for:

May 8: deadline for House bills to make it out of committee

May 11: deadline for House bills to be passed on second reading

May 12: last House consent calendar; May 19: last House local calendar

May 20: final day for House committees to pass out Senate bills

May 23: deadline for Senate bills to be passed in the House on second reading

May 29: sine die

To read more…

Senate budget conferees announced.Yesterday, the Senate released the names of its five appointees to the conference committee for the state budget: Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown). To read more…

Reshaping the Rainy Day Fund.

On Thursday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar proposed a new investment strategy that he believes would grow the state’s Rainy Day Fund by billions over several decades. Comptroller Hegar’s plan would allow his office to invest a portion of the money in higher-risk, higher-yielding options. To read more…

Allen to lead Texas Economic Development Corporation. Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Greg Abbott, Robert Allen, has been named President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation. Allen will replace Tracye McDaniel, who left last month to launch a specialized consulting firm. To read more…

Public Utility Commission Chair stepping down.Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chair Donna Nelson, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2008, has announced she will step down in May. The PUC oversees state electric, telecommunications, water, and sewer utilities. To read more…

Only in Austin…Think you know Austin? Have you visited the Secret Beach? How about the “You’re My Butter Half” mural? Check out this list of Austin hidden gems.