Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Texas Grants have provided thousands of young people with the means to get a college education. Why change a winning formula?

There are serious gaps in the quality of care, and there is a deep dissatisfaction with the way the system functions -- in how it seems to make adversaries of patients, doctors and insurers.

Probe Scrutinizes Efforts Against Tribe

Throughout the 79th Legislative Session, Senator Eliot Shapleigh will be writing a notes column from the Capitol that will allow you to see what is happening behind the scenes in Austin.

This is slide four of Senator Shapleigh's explanation of the top 10 slides in his "A New Texas: Invest in Texas, Invest in Our Future" school finance presentation.

Here's how the House tax bill would affect Texans'

AUSTIN — The Texas House voted 76-71 Wednesday for a school overhaul backed by GOP leaders that promises lower property taxes, classroom advances and higher teacher pay.

The House plan contains an unhealthy stew of increased and new taxes guaranteed to upset just about everyone.

Only Texans in households making more than $100,000 would receive a net tax cut under the tax overhaul bill that the House is considering.

This is a notice from Senator Eliot Shapleigh on how the Senate Finance Committee voted eight to two against funding the Defense Economic Assistance Adjustment Grant (DEAAG).

In 2003 the legislature enacted several changes to the TANF cash assistance program that have made it much harder for very poor families to remain in this important program.

Students lollygagging at Texas public universities are costing taxpayers money.

This is a letter from a grandparent who's grandchild has been affected by ASARCO and their pollution in the soil of El Paso.

The Legislative Budget Board has calculated that the changes proposed by HB 3 by Rep. Keffer would increase taxes paid by 80% of Texas families.

Commentary

Guevara wants to know why Valley students will get less funding than those in Highland Park or Kenedy County.

Four bills put stem cell debate in Legislature's hands

Republican redistricting.

Senate Nears Action On Bankruptcy Curbs

Asarco and federal officials have abandoned negotiations aimed at getting the smelter to pay for the cleanup.