Sweeping new prison plan would save state millions
Significant changes in how Texas operates its state prisons and punishes its nonviolent, low-level felons are to be proposed today in a move that supporters say could save tens of millions of additional dollars for a cash-strapped state budget.

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/sweeping-new-prison-plan-would-save-state-millions-1394632.html
From Texas to D.C., Medicaid Funding Debate Rages
If congressional Republicans' proposed solution to cutting health care costs — giving states block grants to fund Medicaid — sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Texas’ GOP lawmakers are backing similar proposals to put states in charge of deciding how to insure indigent children, the disabled and the very poor.

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-health-resources/health-reform-and-texas/from-texas-to-dc-medicaid-funding-debate-rages-/
Senate budget-writers vote to liquidate $430 million tobacco endowment
Senate budget-writers after a hot debate voted 10-5 to liquidate an approximately $430 million endowment created with part of the state’s tobacco lawsuit settlement and disperse the money to health-related institutions that already benefit from the trust fund.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-politics/2011/04/senate-budget-writers-vote-to-liquidate-430-million-tobacco-endowment/
Texas may get $830 million in federal education money
About $830 million in federal education aid could soon be coming to Texas after budget negotiators in Washington agreed to strip out a provision that had held up the money for the Lone Star State.

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/texas-may-get-830-million-in-federal-education-1394793.html
Austin school district administrators advise trustees against rushing into tax hike
Waiting until fall to seek a tax rate increase as opposed to holding an election in June might make it more palatable for voters, administrators have told Austin school board members. Austin Superintendent Meria Carstarphen didn't make a recommendation on an exact increase, but she seemed to favor a 5-cent rather than a 9-cent hike

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-school-district-administrators-advise-trustees-against-rushing-1394736.html