High Plains Report - Austin

Perry passes on Bob Craig for SBOE chair

tony — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:20:07 -0500

Critics assail Perry's pick to head state education board

But supporters call Bryan dentist fair and true to principles

By Jason Embry
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Gov. Rick Perry named Bryan dentist Don McLeroy as chairman of the State Board of Education on Tuesday, a choice that created immediate controversy.

Bob Craig being considered for SBOE chairman

tony — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:21:12 -0500

With thanks to our friends at the venerable Quorum Report...see a note about Lubbock's Bob Craig near the end.

www.quorumreport.com

INSIDE STORY OF SHIRLEY NEELEY LEAVING TEA

Too close to education community for the Governor?

Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley was a victim of the Governor Office's decision to keep an iron-grip on education policy by creating a state agency run by two people.

This was the brainchild of the Governor's Office back in 2004 - some say the idea came directly from chief of staff Mike Toomey - to give Neeley the title of Education Commissioner and let Deputy Commissioner Robert Scott run the agency. If you've ever looked at the agency's organizational chart, that point becomes abundantly clear. All roads at the agency point to Scott.

House and Senate budget comparison

tony — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:14:50 -0500

Here is a side by side comparison of the proposed budgets from the House and Senate, Prepared by The Legislative Budget Board. The LBB is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations for all agencies of state government, as well as completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation. The LBB also conducts evaluations and reviews for the purpose of identifying and recommending changes that improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations and finances.

Craddick: No retaliation

tony — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:46:11 -0600

11:30 AM CST on Friday, January 19, 2007
By KAREN BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick says the unprecedented coup that nearly ended his leadership was a signal that he had lost touch with some lawmakers, and he vowed not to retaliate against fellow Republicans – some of them trusted associates – who rose up against him.

Dallas Morning News

Duncan recaps success of Special Session

tony — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:00:17 -0500

Not only does the Texas Constitution require lawmakers to craft an equitable public school system, it's the right thing to do. We have one public school system in Texas to educate the next generation of leaders.

History shows us that greatness can grow from humble beginnings, and its our job to make sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their zip code.

It was with that in mind that rural and urban lawmakers, representing the needs of both rich and poor, crafted a school finance solution that will better serve all Texans.

This latest special session was enormously successful. Poor school districts will have access to more money than ever before, and wealthy districts will be able to keep much more of the money they generate locally.

Cheri Isett subs for Carl Isett in Special Session, delivers powerful comments on education

tony — Wed, 17 May 2006 08:41:12 -0500

I recognize that I am the most junior members of the House and for me to speak in this manner, I know, is highly unusual. However, this may be the only opportunity I have to address this body on a matter that I feel is of utmost importance and lies deep within my heart. In fact, what I am about to say to you, I believe, is so important that I am going to read it rather than speak freely as I am accustomed to doing.

HB1 is a good bill. I am wholeheartedly behind reducing and restraining the growth on the egregious burden of property taxes in Texas. I was glad to vote for it. Carl stayed up way past his bedtime to watch the passage of HB1 and be a part of this historic legislation which you all have worked so hard on.