Energy Plan Could Cost $8 Billion More Than Senate Said

[#TexasPolitics365]

A plan passed by the Texas Senate this week to finance the construction of natural gas power plants with public money could cost $18 billion, according to a document obtained by KUT via an open records request.

That puts the price tag of the so-called “Texas Energy Insurance Program” around $8 billion over what proponents had previously said and could complicate efforts to get the proposal passed by the state House of Representatives.

The group Conservatives For Energy Innovation tweeted on Saturday,  April 8 about the proposal: " This document dump by the @LCRA on Good Friday afternoon smacks of deliberate deceit.  But the bigger question is "Why would the Texas Senate want to hide the true cost of this plan from the public?"

(Full story HERE.)
--------------------------------------------------

** We are dedicated to bringing you Texas Politics, 365 days a year! Tips? texaspolitics365@gmail.com

Advertisement

For advertising opportunities, email us.

Texas Lawmakers Eye Surplus For Tax Rebate, Edu Spending

#TexasPolitics365 

Texas ended up with a $30 billion budget surplus this year. How that extra money will be spent will be a big topic when the Texas Legislature meets in a couple of weeks. Top Republicans have already planned big tax rebates, but do have some education spending in mind.

“When you have this kind of money, you have to give it back to the taxpayers,” said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in an address on the surplus.

(Full story HERE.)
--------------------------------------------------

** We are dedicated to bringing you Texas Politics, 365 days a year! Tips? texaspolitics365@gmail.com

Advertisement

For advertising opportunities, email us.

Cruz Calls On Congress To Defend Biden's New IRS Agents

[#TexasPolitics365]

"Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has called on his Republican colleagues in Congress to block funding for what he described as 'Biden’s army of IRS agents' that the GOP has warned would be used to target Americans earning less than $400,000 a year."

(Full story HERE.)
--------------------------------------------------

** We are dedicated to bringing you Texas Politics, 365 days a year! Tips? texaspolitics365@gmail.com

Advertisement

For advertising opportunities, email us.

Governor's Public Safety Office Gives $1.25 Million To Uvalde ISD For Counseling

[#TexasPolitics365]

Gov. Greg Abbott yesterday announced the Governor's Public Safety Office (PSO) is providing $1.25 million to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD). 

The funds will provide counseling, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and community outreach efforts for students and faculty affected by the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. These state financial resources will also establish a district-wide, trauma-informed counseling program to ensure Uvalde students receive support services and counseling within the UCISD.

(Full story HERE
--------------------------------------------------

** We are dedicated to bringing you Texas Politics, 365 days a year! Tips? texaspolitics365@gmail.com

Advertisement

For advertising opportunities, email us.

Legislative Session Begins, Tasked With Writing $113 Billion Two-Year Budget

[#TexasPolitics365]

 

Texas State Legislators assemble in the Capitol building in Austin today to hash out a 2-year budget and examine hundreds of proposals for legislation.

They will have more leeway than expected and their 2-year budget, with the state treasurer saying that it must come within the realm of $113 billion, which is better than feared at the depths of the pandemic this summer, reports the Texas Tribune.

Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar also announced a nearly $1 billion deficit for the current state budget that lawmakers must make up, again, a significantly smaller shortfall than the $4.6 billion one Hegar expected over the summer. 

--------------------------------------------------
** We are dedicated to bringing you Texas Politics, 365 days a year! Tips? texaspolitics365@gmail.com