Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth (Texas Senate)

This weekend on “In Session. In-depth,” Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, talks to us about the fight for more education funding. What are the true difference between the Senate and House versions of the budget? And could more money come before lawmakers wrap up in May? Davis found herself in the political spotlight after filibustering the school finance bill last session, and now she speaks out about reports of a possible run for governor.

Plus, Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, join our roundtable. The duo is among a small handful of Central Texas lawmakers on the House budget-writing team. Hear their predictions for the remaining financial fight this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN News.

Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo (Texas House of Representatives)

Ever wondered why Texas lawmakers meet only once every two years? One lawmaker says the state’s size, population and massive budget deserve more attention. We speak with Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo, about his proposal to gather the legislature in Austin annually.

We also break down the technology driving lawmakers this session. Plus, a group of “little” lobbyists mix pie with politics at the State Capitol. Join us for “In Session. In-depth.” this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN News.

Texas Ag Commissioner Todd Staples

This Sunday on KXAN’s “In Session, In-depth,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples talks about legislative proposals to address the state’s water infrastructure concerns, plus his take on the future of border security in Texas.

Plus, Peggy Ficak of the San Antonio Express-News, Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune, and Karen Brooks of the Dallas Morning News/Community Impact take part in our roundtable, weighing in on lawmakers’ budget proposals.

Join us for “In Session, In-depth” this Sunday morning at 8:30 on KXAN News.

Gov. Rick Perry speaks with KXAN about 83rd Texas Legislative Session (Mark Batchelder/KXAN)

This Sunday on KXAN’s “In Session, In-depth,” Gov. Rick Perry talks about his proposed tax relief for some Texans and what lawmakers should do with the state’s Rainy Day Fund this session.

Plus, Brian Sweany of Texas Monthly, Shelley Kofler of KERA and Mike Ward of the Austin-American Statesman take part in our political roundtable to talk about the legislature’s opening weekend, the race for House Speaker and the budget challenges ahead.

Join us for “In Session, In-depth” this Sunday morning at 8:30 on KXAN News.

Courtesy: State Preservation Board

On this SPECIAL WRAP-UP edition of KXAN’s Session ’11, a seasoned team of Capitol journalists join our onpolitix Panel to break down the final days of the legislative session in Texas: Kate Alexander of the Austin-American Statesman, John Reynolds of the Quorum Report, and Robert Wood of the Texas State Networks. From balancing the budget and emergency items to the possibility of a special session and rumors of a presidential run for Gov. Rick Perry. Join us this Sunday morning at 9:30 on KXAN. Plus, watch previous Session ’11 episodes here.

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston (Courtesy: Texas House of Representatives)

This Sunday, House Appropriations Vice Chair Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, takes us inside the budget conference committee, as he and other appointees begin the final steps in planning Texas’ financial future for the next two years. Also, our onpolitix Panel looks at what lived and what died with the House bill deadline passed Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday for Session ’11. Plus, you can check out our previously broadcast Session ’11 programs here.

Newsmaker

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston

onpolitix Panel

Paul Burka, Texas Monthly

Jay Root, Texas Tribune

Courtesy: ramparts360.com

As Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced Senate appointees to the conference committee on the state’s budget Monday, the legislature began taking the final steps in negotiating the state’s finances for the next two years. Late last week, Speaker Joe Straus made the same move in the House.

Being a conference committee member for the budget is a somewhat coveted role among lawmakers, but this session’s group will likely have to make some of the toughest and most brutal decisions in the state’s history. Texans face a budget shortfall of at least $15 billion, and some cuts will have to come from somewhere.

Senate

• Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan
• Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock
• Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen
• Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
• Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands

House

• Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie
• Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston
• Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton
• Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton
• Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond

Taking a glance at the list, the membership is reflective of the party distribution in the two chambers. Both the Senate and House delegations have four Republicans and one Democrat. All Senate members come from the Finance Committee, and all House members come from the Appropriations Committee.

But when you break down the financial leadership among the members, there are a few interesting tidbits. Beyond both groups containing both the Finance and Appropriations chairs and vice chairs (Pitts & Turner; Ogden & Hinojosa), you’ll notice the following sub-committees (or areas of finance) and their chairs:

• Senate Fiscal Matters (Duncan)
• Senate Medicaid (Nelson)
• Senate Natural Resources (Williams)
• Senate Business & Economic Development (Williams)
• House General Government (Otto)
• House Judiciary (Otto)
• House Public Safety & Criminal Justice (Otto)
• Health and Human Services (Zerwas)

Surprisingly, public education, which has been quite possibly the biggest sticking point in the budget process, did not have any leadership representation, though both Duncan and Crownover served on their respective education sub-committees. Many Capitol regulars thought Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, chair of the Sub-committee on Education, was a shoe-in, but instead we saw the addition of Nelson, whose statement following her appointment at least mentioned schools:

“The Senate budget meets our responsibilities to schoolchildren and to Texans who need state services while not adding tax burdens that could hinder our state’s economic recovery,” said Nelson. “I look forward to working with our House colleagues to pass a fiscally responsible budget that reflects Texans’ priorities.”

Nelson’s addition also meant North Texas had three members aboard (along with Pitts and Crownover). Closer to home, Central Texas had none.

Speaking of Crownover, she is the only member of the conference committee not serving in a leadership position among her chambers’ budget writers. However, she has previously served on the House Appropriations Committee four times and as chair of the panel’s Sub-committee on the Stimulus.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (Courtesy: Texas Senate)

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst

“I’m confident that our Senate conferees will work together to fulfill our Constitutional duty to balance our state budget, meet our obligations under current state and federal law, and fund our priorities without raising taxes on hardworking Texans,” said Dewhurst.

Speaker Joe Straus (Courtesy: Texas House)

Speaker Joe Straus

“Passing a balanced, fiscally responsible budget is one of the most important things the Legislature must do every session,” said Speaker Straus.  “I know that the conferees will work diligently to bring a budget back to the House that reflects these priorities, and I thank them in advance for their hard work.”

Newsmakers

Arlene Wohlgemuth, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Scott McCown, Center for Public Policy Priorities

onpolitix Panel

Robert Garrett, Dallas Morning News

Patti Kilday Hart, Houston Chronicle

Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas (Courtesy: U.S. House)

This Sunday, Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, discusses Texas’ border security challenges, his request for more border drones, and redistricting maps affecting Travis County. Also, our onpolitix Panel looks at the budget hold-up in the Senate and breaks down the House redistricting process. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday for Session ’11.Plus, you can check out our previously broadcast Session ’11 programs here.

Newsmaker

Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas

onpolitix Panel

Jay Root, Associated Press

John Moritz, kxan.com

Texas Senate Floor (Mark Batchelder/KXAN)

Who can put the most back into the budget? So far, the Senate seems to be up to about $4.8 billion, while the House is up to $3 billion in this race to re-fund the state.

The Senate Finance Committee laid out its additional revenue plan Tuesday and is expected to vote on the measures Wednesday. The largest amount of money comes from delaying payments to school districts from August 2013 to September 2013. While it does “save” about $1.8 billion in the next budget cycle, that cost would eventually move into the budget to follow.

Speeding up certain taxes and selling underused state property will be among the 20 recommendations in SB 1811 up for a committee vote. Members are also considering a proposal for a constitutional amendment to take $2 billion from the Permanent School Fund. This would be a one-time action that voters would have to approve in November, though most members have not seemed too keen on the idea.

A decision on the rainy day fund and a vote on the entire 2012-2013 budget should come Thursday in the Senate committee, though certain pieces could be held up depending on other actions in the committee beforehand.

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee voted to free up $3 billion, in part, by suspending the back-to-school sales tax holiday for the next two years. This is not something the Senate had on its list. Included in that amount were items the Senate also saw as possibilities: speeding up beverage, sales, franchise, and motor fuels tax collections (more than $1 billion) and delaying payments to school districts ($1.8 billion).

Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the chairman of the House committee, told KXAN on Session ’11 this Sunday members would likely be able to pump $4-5 billion back into the budget.