Members of Congress collect thousands in state pensions

Gov. Rick Perry isn't the only politician to collect a pension while still cashing a regular government paycheck. Ten of the 32 members of the Texas delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives also collect pensions from one of the public retirement systems in Texas, according to federal financial disclosure forms. Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison takes one, too. http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/members-of-congress-collect-thousands-in-state-pensions-2046622.html

Taxpayers have paid Perry sub Dewhurst $32,054

For each full day Perry spent out of Texas — 78 days so far this year — taxpayers  paid $410.96 in salary to David Dewhurst, a millionaire businessman who normally serves as the state’s low-paid lieutenant governor. Dewhurst, 66, is again serving as acting governor this week as Perry stumps in Iowa. He refused comment through a spokesman about his increasingly common stints as substitute governor. http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2011/12/taxpayers-have-paid-perry-sub-dewhurst-32054/

Bexar commissioners OK hefty raises for pair

After drawing high praise from Commissioners Court, two of Bexar County's top executives have been rewarded with significant raises. County Manager David Smith, who assumed the new job title and added responsibilities without more pay earlier this year, got a 49.7 percent salary increase worth $86,372. http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Governmental-pay-in-spotlight-2418401.php#ixzz1hHBzLz7a

Texas Schools Grapple With Big Budget Cuts

School funding in Texas is in turmoil. State lawmakers slashed more than $4 billion from education this school year — one of the largest cuts in state history — and more than 12,000 teachers and support staff have been laid off. Academic programs and transportation have been cut to the bone. Promising reforms are on hold or on the chopping block. Next year, the cuts could go even deeper. http://www.npr.org/2011/12/22/144079041/texas-schools-grapple-with-big-budget-cuts