Town Square
Town Square: What You Need to Know to Vote (Sept. 17, 2020)
Posted on · Experts discuss the processes of voter registration and how to apply for, and cast, mail-in ballots.
Tag: Paul Bettencourt
Criminal Justice
Texas Lawmakers Look To Improve Police Transparency In Response To HPD Narcotics Audit
Posted on · The announcement came after more officers were charged in connection with a fatal drug raid and the Houston Police Department released an audit of its narcotics division.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill Designed To Limit Property Tax Growth
Posted on · A top priority of state leaders, the legislation requires voter approval before local governments increase their property tax revenue by more than 3.5%.
Houston Matters
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday. But Is It Time For It To End?
Posted on · Here in Texas, State Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Houston has filed a joint resolution calling for Texans to vote on the elimination of Daylight Saving Time.
Top Stories
Judge Moves Trial Of Santa Fe High School Shooting Suspect, Texas Blocked From Purging Voters, And Activists Concerned About Future Of Harris County Department Of Education
Posted on · These are some of the stories Houston Public Media is covering.
Houston Matters
Activists Express Concerns About Future Of Harris County Department Of Education
Posted on · They’re asking the board to rehire a consulting firm that lobbies for the agency in the Texas Legislature and commit to funding certain programs.
News
Texas Leaders Want Voters To OK Property Tax Revenue Growth Over 2.5 Percent. They Couldn’t Get 4 Percent In 2017.
Posted on · The leaders of both legislative chambers say they will be united this year — even if cities and counties push back — and that local officials should come to Austin with solutions in hand if they don't like new proposals.
Houston Matters
Bettencourt And Huberty Discuss Report By Texas Commission On Public School Finance
Posted on · One of the highlights is proposing to reform the state's recapture system.
Houston Matters
Full Show: Texas Public School Funding, And The Year In Education (Dec. 20, 2018)
Posted on · On Thursday's Houston Matters: We discuss proposed recommendations for comprehensive school funding reform, by the year 2050 the over-65 population will more than triple. We discuss the challenges facing the state and Houston. Also, we review the complicated year in education with News 88-7’s Laura Isensee, and we treat you to our version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
Texas
Lawmakers Expect To Focus On Juvenile Justice Reform In Upcoming Legislative Session
Posted on · The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating some of the juvenile courts in Harris County, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Red, White & Blue
WATCH: With The Midterms Over, What’s Next For The Texas Legislature?
Posted on · Catch the latest episode of "Red, White and Blue."
News
Bi-partisan Commission Tackles Public School Funding in Texas
Posted on · The commission comes 18 months after the Texas Supreme Court declared the current way "unconstitutional" -- but deeply flawed. The group of lawmakers and educators hope to send a recommendation to the next legislature that convenes in 2019.
News
Who’s Ready To Pay For Flood Prevention
Posted on · The problem is no governing body so far has formally approved what could be billions for huge construction projects
Hurricane Harvey
Mayor Turner’s Lowered Tax Hike Proposal Doesn’t Satisfy Critics
Posted on · Houston’s mayor has cut his proposed one-time property tax hike to pay for the recovery from Harvey in half, but it's still too much for some.
Houston Matters
Bill Would Toughen Penalties for Improper Teacher-Student Relationships
Posted on · Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt introduced SB 7 that passed unanimously in the Senate (March 7, 2017). The proposed bill toughens penalties for educator misconduct in Texas — specifically to crack down on improper student-teacher relationships. It's been a topic of interest for some lawmakers and educators for a number of years now. How big is […]