Texas lawmakers weigh committee power in budget and redistricting
Texas politics hinges on committee decisions as 54 percent of filed bills die in committee and only about 30 percent pass. Acting Lt Gov Bill Ratliff replaced his finance chair with Sen Rodney Ellis, a move that shapes budgeting and policy across prisons, highways, welfare, and state agencies amid a tighter revenue outlook. The shift boosts Ellis's influence over how funds are allocated in education, prisons, privacy, and major state programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Texas
House of Origin
Texas Legislative Service
Andrew K. Fish
Fish
Senate
Bill Ratliff
Mount Pleasant
Senate Finance Committee
Tion
Sen
Rodney Ellis
Houston
Ellis
Redistricting Focus Tops Texas Legislature Shifts
Senate Redistricting Committee chair Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio spearheads efforts as Ratliff names a balanced mix of Democrats and Republicans to the 12 member Senate committees. The session also lifts attention on district size, congressional seats, and funding. Car insurers announce rate hikes across Texas with State Farm leading at 1.7 percent effective January 28 and other companies listing various increases or minor reductions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S
Ratliff
Sen
Jeff Wentworth
San Antonio
Senate
Texas
Wentworth
State Farm Insurance
Allstate Property and Casualty
Geico General
Mid- Century
USAA
United Services Automobile Association
Allstate
Minding your own business by Don Taylor
The piece urges readers to abandon past failure in resolutions and seize new opportunities this year. It emphasizes forming a clear purpose, writing down goals, and taking concrete action, arguing that progress comes from daily commitment rather than wishful thinking.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Don Taylor
Keeping Bedding Clean with Home Laundering Tips
Mrs. Jane Bray advises use of domestic washers and airstream equipment for bedding care. She outlines washing towels pillows and comforters including pillow care, allergy control, and allergen impermeable covers, stressing careful adherence to manufacturer directions and seasonal cleaning routines.
Who to Write President and Texas Officials Contact Guide
A reader guidance piece lists contact details for President Bill Clinton and Texas officials including Kay Bailey Hutchison, Phil Gramm, Lloyd Bentson, and local representatives. It provides office addresses and phone numbers, plus instructions for submitting Letters to the Editor with name and date.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
P.O. Box
Brownfield
Parent aims and character for future generations
A reflective column urging parents to model honesty integrity and morality at home. The author notes a local elected official’s father as a paragon and asks what standards children learn from their parents. It argues that home lessons shape character more than classrooms and invites readers to start building a legacy of good conduct today.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gina Caswell Kelly
Paw Paw
New Year Advice Focuses on Small Steps and Balance
Don Taylor urges readers to dream big but begin with small first steps and seek balance. He promotes the wheel of balance and urges readers to focus on the cans not the cants, suggesting vegetable eating and regular exercise. He notes he co authored Up Against the Wal Marts and offers to send a balance wheel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rillo
Don Taylor
Wal-Marts
Amarillo
Also Mentioned on This Page
Tate Capital
Mike Cox
Texas Press Association
Asou
Family and Consumer Sciences
Jane Bray
FCS
Bill Clinton
White House
Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C
Kay Baiey Hurcuison
Hart Senate
Prit Gramm
R-Texas
Russel Buiwoine
D.C
Lusgock
WasHincTon
Larry Compest
Laneworth Blpg
Washington
Lussock
George W. Bus
Robert Duncan Box
Luspock
Gary Walker
House of Representatives
P.O
Parenting News
Wheel
Brownfield News
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