University of Texas president defends decision to join SEC as lawmakers criticize timing and impact on other schools
Jay Hartzell said the switch to the Southeastern Conference was the best thing for UT-Austin’s student athletes and the university. Texas senators expressed disdain for the move and questioned how it came about.
Watch Gov. Greg Abbott and state leaders discuss a police funding proposal live at noon Central time
Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Abbott, Patrick and Bonnen will be joined by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Republican state Sens. Austin was the first to drastically cut police department funding. San Antonios proposed budget for 2021 increases overall police funding by $8 million, but cuts overtime and funds health and violence prevention programs. In Dallas, the proposed 2021 budget includes a minor increase in police funding and $3.2 million for social safety net resources.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott instructs state agencies to trim budgets by 5% to prepare for economic shock
Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, have until June 15 to submit their plans to the Legislative Budget Board and the governors office. ReferenceRead the letter to state agencies from Gov. To prepare for this economic shock, we must take action today to ensure that the state can continue providing the essential government services that Texans expect." Last month, Bonnen, an Angleton Republican who is retiring at the end of his term, sent a memo to Abbott and Patrick suggesting that state agencies identify and execute 5% budget cuts. Hegar, who is expected to provide his revised fiscal forecast in July, has already said that the current state budget will be billions of dollars out of balance.