Money Update from the Comptroller
Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Monday issued a revised revenue estimate that gives lawmakers several billion more dollars to spend as they wrap up the next state budget this month.
Hegar cited the improved performance of the state economy, as COVID-19 restrictions began to be lifted over the past two months and immunizations improved consumer confidence.
The revised projections will give lawmakers an additional $3.1 billion as House and Senate budget negotiators race to hammer out a spending plan.
House & Senate Lift Mask Mandate
Citing the increasing COVID-19 vaccination rate in Texas, the Texas House and Senate have both removed a requirement that people wear face masks on the House and Senate floors, as well as and during committee meetings for the remainder of the legislative session that ends May 31. House members also passed a resolution by state Rep. Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas) to allow members of the media back on the House floor while the chamber is in session.
Then There Were Two…
Republicans Susan Wright and state Rep. Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie earned the most votes to advance to a runoff in the special election to replace the late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright (R-Arlington) in Texas’ 6th Congressional District. The race to replace the late Congressman Ron Wright after he died this year drew 23 candidates: 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, one Libertarian, and one independent. The district spreads southeast from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to rural Ellis and Navarro counties.
Only in Austin…
Rep. Ana Hernandez was caught red-handed getting chocolates from Rep. Sam Harless’s (R-Spring) desk on the House floor.