Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Jan. 30, 2023:
What’s in the Texas Senate’s state budget proposal
The Texas House and Senate have each drafted plans for the state’s $130.1 billion budget, earmarking billions of dollars for property tax cuts, state employee pay raises and the governor’s border security program, Operation Lone Star. The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán joins us today with a preview of this week’s Senate Finance Committee hearings and more.
Could legal pot offset Texas property taxes?
Speaking of property taxes … all this week, the Standard is exploring questions about them, including some unconventional ones. To start, Texas Tech Public Media’s Sarah Self-Walbrick queried experts about one idea you may have heard: Could taxes from legal marijuana sales offset property taxes?
Starting pay is rising for state hospital employees
State officials are allotting nearly $150 million for pay raises at state hospitals and supported living centers. They’re also hiring more employees. Two of these facilities are in Austin, where KUT’s Sangita Menon examined how the investment in staff could affect them:
What do Texans think about expanding legal gambling?
Gambling has long been outlawed in Texas, but a proposal in the Texas Senate could lead to expanded gambling in the state. A new poll from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs looked at how Texans feel about the measure. Renée Cross, the school’s senior executive director and researcher, joins us today with the findings.
Higher temperatures lead to record heat deaths in Texas
Last year was Texas’ second-hottest summer on record, and it arrived amid the state’s worst drought in over a decade. One result? State heat-related deaths reached a new high for this century, with at least 268 heat-related deaths recorded in 2022. Texas Tribune reporting fellow Alex Nguyen has the story.
Saving a Port Aransas watering hole from the waves of change
If you’ve spent any time in Port Aransas, you’re probably familiar with Shorty’s Place. The iconic bar opened in 1946, but lately, redevelopment in the area has threatened its existence. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton reports the owner has now taken a drastic step to ensure the landmark’s future.
Fill ‘er up: A tasty trip down Austin’s Taco Mile
Sixth Street and Congress Avenue are a couple of famous Austin streets. Now, says taco journalist Mando Rayo, you can add the capital city’s Taco Mile to that list. The “Tacos of Texas” podcaster joins us with a map to Austin’s taco stars.
Ted Cruz proposes congressional term limits
Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a measure last week that would put him out of a job. A group of lawmakers led by Cruz has proposed a constitutional amendment limiting senators to two six-year terms and U.S. House members to three two-year terms. Joining us to tell us more is professor David Rausch with West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
