Posted @ Friday, February 26, 2010

I'm in Brownsville today to meet with local officials and clean energy advocates interested in implementing HB 1937, the bill I passed last year.

Posted @ Thursday, February 25, 2010

DMN editorial claims, "Texas relies more on federal dollars and less on its own taxes than it did when Perry took office. Put another way: Texas is less independent than it was when the governor took office, not more." 

Posted @ Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This recent Dallas Morning News editorial is helpful for understanding the state's challenge of balancing the budget.

Posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I served on a TBEC sponsored panel that discussed how to invest more in our teachers in a way that improves our return on investment.  We discussed three proposed strategies. 

Posted @ Monday, February 22, 2010

73 more Facebook friends until I reach 2,000. Can you help me get there? Suggest friends for me, or suggest me to your friends? Click on Suggest Friends at the bottom of the left panel on my Facebook page. Thanks!

Posted @ Thursday, February 18, 2010

Christine's List is a great resource for finding out about jobs in public affairs/politics, media/communications and nonprofits in Texas. The List is confidential and free.  Sign up here.

Posted @ Thursday, February 18, 2010

The state is estimating a shortfall in revenue of about $15 billion dollars, or close to 20% of our total state-funded budget. In response to this crisis our Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House directed all state agencies to propose 5% cuts in their current budgets. You can read here how agencies propose to make these cuts. Now the state leadership will review their recommendations and decide how to proceed. At best, these cuts would only cover about $1 billion of the shortfall, but they would cut deeply into state investments in our children and our own future...

Posted @ Thursday, February 18, 2010

Finally! Early voting for the March 2nd primaries began this week. Who are you excited to vote for? I'm particularly looking forward to voting for Bill White for Governor, Linda Chavez-Thompson for Lieutenant Governor, and Michael Soto for State Board of Education...

Posted @ Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Governor Perry announced yesterday that Texas is challenging the EPA's ruling that global warming gases pose a threat to public health.  Instead of leading the charge against addressing climate change, Texas should be a leader in developing the new clean energy economy and helping turn the corner on climate change.

Posted @ Friday, February 12, 2010

On February 28, 2010, the state of Texas will close the current enrollment period for the "Texas Tuition Promise Fund," which allows Texans to lock in tomorrow's college tuition costs today....

Posted @ Thursday, February 11, 2010

Today Representative Mike Villarreal joined the Texas Latino Complete Count Committee in encouraging Texans to engage in the upcoming U.S. census.  Rep. Villarreal also reiterated his recommendation to Governor Rick Perry to direct state agencies to support census participation.  "Governor Perry has failed to seize this opportunity to bring more of our tax dollars back home to our public schools, job training programs, hospitals, transportation projects, and senior centers," noted Rep. Villarreal.

Posted @ Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Representative Mike Villarreal,  D-San Antonio, is joining critics accusing Gov. Rick Perry of failing to do enough to support the 2010 census.

Posted @ Thursday, February 04, 2010

Calling all artists - in high school, college, or beyond. Your help is needed to get out the word about the importance of participating in the upcoming census.

Posted @ Wednesday, February 03, 2010

As more Texans begin filing their 2009 tax returns, Representative Mike Villarreal urges consumers throughout the state to report Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) providers that violate Texas law. The lawmaker also encourages working families to consider the 0% APR RefundExpress Alternative RAL offered at several Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations in San Antonio.

Posted @ Monday, February 01, 2010

If Texas gets serious about leading the new clean energy economy, there is huge potential for new jobs, new businesses, and economic growth.  But green jobs aren't just a hope for the future. They are out there right now.  The Environmental Defense Fund has just released a Texas Green Jobs Guidebook....