Opinion

The clock is ticking on getting bills out of the House and to the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last week in a story in the Austin American-Statesman. Patrick presides over the Senate and is worried many bills that have made it out of House committees but have not gone before the full chamber will not be considered before the session ends.

Over the next few weeks, the regular session of the 88th Legislature will end. As the session wraps up, there will be a push for school vouchers as we have never seen. Governor Greg Abbott has unapologetically made school choice a priority as he holds rallies in private schools around the state. I respect the governor, but he is dead wrong on vouchers and educational savings accounts.

Istart noticing the planes overhead when it’s nearing the time to go. Planes don’t fly low over this small Mexican city.

One of the advantages of gaining wisdom (it ain’t polite to say “getting old”) is that incredible earth-shaking ideas occur to a guy that make his grandchildren look at him funny. Now this one I can’t claim any original credit for because it was thrust upon me many decades ago when I was working for a veterinarian and going to college and majoring in girls, preferably slow girls (not show girls).

O ur landlord, Jorge, loves his suns. I am sure he loves his son, Jorge Jr., as well, but I am talking about the other kind of sun.

Isaw the burro wearing pants and carrying a basket filled with paper flowers. “Oh, my gosh!” I said.

One of the most important responsibilities that all of us have — as individuals, families and communities — is to ensure the safety of the children in our lives and throughout our community. As we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we must also recognize the urgency of strengthening families and equipping communities with the services needed to prevent abuse from ever occurring.

The Texas House passed a bill promising $17 billion in tax relief, a measure that is at odds with the Senate’s tax break plan, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The House bill would lower by half a home’s cap on appraisal increases. It passed overwhelmingly, 141-9. However, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, said that body will not approve it, preferring its plan to raise property exemptions from $40,000 to $70,000.