Posted @ Sunday, May 08, 2011

The debate over the state budget boils down to this: How do you define “essential” government programs?

Posted @ Friday, May 06, 2011

The defining proposal of the 2011 legislative session may turn out to be a sales tax break for yacht buyers, which moved forward in the House last week. The bill's author, Houston Republican Rep. John Davis, defended it as “economic development."

Posted @ Friday, May 06, 2011

During instructions to conferees on the budget negotiations, Rep. Villarreal points out that Republicans don't want anyone touching a single dime of the Rainy Day fund for education or any other purpose.

Posted @ Thursday, May 05, 2011

Austin - Today Representative Mike Villarreal released a list of options that the Legislature has refused to adopt as alternatives to making deep cuts in education, nursing homes, and other basic services. The alternatives outlined by Rep. Villarreal demonstrate that the Legislature could take a balanced approach that combines reasonable budget cuts with the use of the Rainy Day Fund and other options that have been filed as bills during this legislative session.

Posted @ Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Villarreal believes it cuts too deeply into public education funding, forces nursing homes to close, and fails to invest in a brighter future for our state. He wants the legislature to tap into the Texas Rainy Day fund to cover the shortfall.

Posted @ Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Austin - Today Rep. Mike Villarreal was surprised to express his agreement with a statement by right-wing organizations that using the Rainy Day Fund is a better choice for the Legislature than cutting essential services. However, Rep. Villarreal disagreed with the right-wing organizations' view that cutting public education by 21% and nursing homes by 31% does not qualify as cutting essential services, and he urged the Texas Senate to use the Rainy Day Fund for the current budget.

Posted @ Monday, May 02, 2011

This week's Mike's Mic is taken from the Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee response to the Senate budget. The House Dems urge the Senate to stay strong and not take the Senate budget to the floor.

Posted @ Monday, May 02, 2011

Austin - Today the Texas House of Representatives voted to block an amendment by Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) to prioritize education funding over a tax break for the natural gas industry. Every Republican Member voted against the amendment.

Posted @ Saturday, April 30, 2011

Representative Mike Villarreal, Democrat of San Antonio, who in the last legislative session added the amendment to the bill by Representative Rob Eissler, Republican of The Woodlands, said the involvement of U.T. and A&M was an important piece of the plan. “That really sets the tone for the program,” Mr. Villarreal said. “It’s not about rushing students through high school. It’s really about excellence in education.”

Posted @ Friday, April 29, 2011

Austin - Today Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) strongly criticized the House Ways and Means Committee for approving a tax break for yachts at the same time that the Legislature is proposing drastic cuts to education, nursing homes, and other basic services. Yesterday the Committee, of which Rep. Villarreal is a member, approved HB 2187 by Rep. John Davis (R-Houston).

Posted @ Thursday, April 28, 2011

Austin - Early this morning State Rep. Mike Villarreal, Vice Chair of the House Redistricting Committee, voted against the proposed redistricting map for the Texas House of Representatives.  The bill, HB 150, passed on a vote of 92-52.

Posted @ Sunday, April 24, 2011

AUSTIN — A tax break for big yachts might seem like a long shot in these tough times, but a Houston lawmaker is floating the idea as an economic issue.

Posted @ Friday, April 22, 2011

In this volume of Mike's Mic, Mike compares the Senate and House budgets as they currently stand.
 

Posted @ Thursday, April 21, 2011

Save Texas Schools needs YOU on Friday, April 22, 11am-12:30pm to join hundreds of others!

Posted @ Thursday, April 21, 2011

With just a little more than five weeks left in the legislative session, I am in the thick of the fight to put our children and seniors above outdated tax loopholes.  Read my e-newsletter to find out more.