State agencies merge to cut deficit in Texas budget
Texas lawmakers push a plan to consolidate 11 agencies into three, including a merged health department and a new aging and long term care department, seeking to save 75 to 80 million. A separate vote moves toward ending Robin Hood school funding with 1.2 billion more in state support, while observatory funding faces lighting concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Arlene Wohlgemuth
House Committee On Appropriations
Commission On Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Cancer Council
Commission For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
Department of
Department of Health Services
Texas Rehabilitation Commission
The
Commission For the Blind
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Dawnna Dukes
D-Austin
Health and Human Services
Dukes
Robin Hood
House Committee On Public
University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory
Department of Public Safety
Texas
DPS
Lawmaker seeks 11-agency consolidation amid budget strain on famed observatory
A proposed bill would fold 11 agencies including support for a world renowned West Texas observatory into a single entity, aiming to shave about 4 million dollars from its daily operations while the facility draws 100,000 tourists annually. Texas History Month moves forward with House Bill 294 to designate March.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S
West Texas
House
Senate
Farming as a Disneyland ride analogy prompts reflection
Gina Caswell Kelly compares farming to Space Mountain highlighting fear and fun as years begin. She muses on life choices, divine guidance, and slowing to notice blessings while hoping for rain and strong cotton markets. Readers are invited to send Letters to the Editor with name, address, and phone number.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gina Caswell Kelly
Disneyland
P.O. Box
Brownfield
Texas
bnews@door.net
Benefits for Texas retirees after spouse death
A Texas teacher after 25 years of service is set to receive a TRS pension of 1800 monthly and a survivor benefit of 1200 from Social Security when a spouse dies. A Social Security notice arrives, not condolences, signaling an unexpected change or denial of benefits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Cole
Texas
Social Security Administration
Congressional Budget Office
U.S. House
Clay Shaw
Florida
Congress
Howard McKeenne
U.S
Dianne Feinstein
California
Governor Perry urged 10 million for cow DNA study
Guest column argues Perry favors a ten million dollar project to study cow genetics over funding for children and seniors. The piece links budget cuts to loss of nursing home care and CHIP coverage, and criticizes a school finance bill. It cites taxpayer impact and calls for repeal of the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. John Cole of the Texas Federation of Teachers is quoted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Molly Beth Malcom
Wise County Messenger
Rick Perry
General Revenue Fund
Austin American Statesman
Perry
Texas
Ae Gr Galleras
Congress
John Cole
Texas Federation of Teachers
Also Mentioned on This Page
Tate Capital
Mike Cox
Texas Press Association
Brownfield News
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