ON THE SENATOR'S DESK...
The 2005 edition of the Texas on the Brink report, which shows how Texas ranks among the 50 states, is scheduled for release later this month. The report will show Texas continues to lag in providing services to its residents and that our leaders “value tax cuts over kids.”

CHAMBER ECHOES...
The House has come out with its own school finance bill that provides a 3 percent increase in funding for the schools and restores a health care stipend for teachers.

AMONG THOSE WHO VISITED AUSTIN THIS WEEK...
Hillcrest Middle School Principal Paul Covey and two of his students, Steve Varela and David Camarillo. They were there along with YISD Superintendent Hector Montenegro as part of the Capitol Schoolhouse campaign. Hillcrest Middle is one of six schools statewide that received laptops for every students as part of the laptop immersion bill.

IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK...
The Finance Committee is already working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m daily. The committee has started writing SB 1, which will be the budget building. Testifying this week were several agencies, such as the Workforce Commission and Lottery Commission.

BILLS UPDATE ...
So far, Senator Eliot Shapleigh has filed 38 bills. The latest bill, introduced on Wednesday, is SB 319, relating to the requiring state investment funds to post certain information on the Internet.

UPCOMING NEWS...
Don't forget to see Senator Shapleigh's Austin In Focus cable TV show which airs at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays on Cable Channel 7. ... The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce is having its Austin Days on February 23 and 24. More than 50 people have already signed up. For information contact Michael Guerra, 534-0400. ... The Mission Valley Steering Committee is having its Austin Days on Feb. 22 - 23. For information contact Suky Ramos, 857-4800, in our office.