FY2022-2023 LAR Spotlight: Texas Higher Education Coordination Board
This report covers the submitted LAR document and attempts to summarize the priorities and changes in the aforementioned Legislative Appropriations Request for the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
Background
The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund, as part of the CARES Act of 2020, provided THECB with a one-time $175 million injection to support financial aid […]
FY2022-2023 LAR Spotlight: Soil and Water Conservation Board
This report covers the submitted LAR document and attempts to summarize the priorities and changes in the aforementioned Legislative Appropriations Request.
Background
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) identified numerous natural resource concerns not adequately addressed by current programs. Additional funding requests are not being made at this […]
Governor Abbott Announces Agreement with Health Insurers to Continue Payment Parity for Telehealth
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas’ major health insurers have agreed to continue reimbursing network health care providers for telehealth appointments at the same rate which they pay for office visits through the end of 2020. While the agreement applies only to state-regulated plans, both the ERS and the […]
Railroad Commission Open Meeting – September 22, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas met on September 22 to discuss a variety of issues, including Surface Mining and Reclamation and Oil and Gas permits and applications, as well as legal matters and the Legislative Appropriations Request for the Commission. This report covers agenda items 218 and 220, encompassing the […]
Spotlight on House Committee RFI Responses
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, certain House Committees are conducting necessary oversight functions through an information-gathering process under Section 301.014, Government Code. Posted RFI responses with their corresponding charges can be found below:
- Higher Education: Charge 1, Charge 2, Charge 3, Charge 4, Charge […]
Secretary Hughs Notes Record Number of Registered Voters
In a recent news release, Secretary of State Ruth noted that as of this month, there are 16,617, 436 registered voters in Texas. This marks a new state record. Additionally, she announced October 5th is the registration deadline for the November 3rd election.
CBO Releases Info on Federal Budget and Climate Change Effects on US Output
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released several documents on the federal budget outlook and potential effects of climate change on U.S. output.
The 2020 Long-Term Budget Outlook provides projections on federal deficits, debt, spending, and revenues for the next 30 years. The outlook projects that deficits will increase in […]
FRA Releases Rules for Texas Central High-Speed Rail
Texas Central Railroad has announced that two recent rulings from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allow its high-speed railway projects to proceed in Texas. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released the pre-publication version of the final Rule of Particular Applicability (RPA) and the Record of Decision (ROD), providing […]
THECB Retains Clearinghouse’s Student Tracker Premium Data Services
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has announced that the agency has retained Student Tracker Premium data services from the National Student Clearinghouse for summer 2020 through summer 2022. THECB’s retention of Clearinghouse premium data services is intended benefit educational efforts across Texas by:
- Enabling public institutions of […]
Governor Abbott Appoints Nichols To Continuing Advisory Committee For Special Education
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Susan Nichols, Ph.D. to the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education for a term set to expire on February 1, 2021. The committee provides policy guidance on special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas.