News

A leading expert on government from the University of Texas at Austin's Office of Governmental Relations is weighing in on this summer’s special session and if the legislature can expect to see legislation beyond redistricting.

Barry McBee, UT-Austin’s vice chancellor of governmental relations, said there is still plenty of time for various discussions during this special session.

San Antonio is hosting a major food conference starting Wednesday, June 12, for everyone from growers to chefs to consumers. The target audience for the event: Anyone who eats food.

The conference will offer a broad base of information and activities including info for schools and other institutions, local chefs, the local grower and people who cook for their kids.

The works of an artist that many feel represents America itself will be on exhibit in San Antonio this week when a landmark Normal Rockwell exhibit opens at the McNay.

This is more than a collection of Rockwell’s artworks. Instead, Normal Rockwell: Behind the Camera, offers a behind-the-scenes journey through the creative process, showing how Rockwell developed his iconic images.

At the beginning of the special session, several lawmakers representing some of the districts caught up the redistricting fight requested that the hearings be taken on the road, so that those living in these voting districts had a chance to voice their concerns directly.

House Redistricting Chairman Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said the first of three field meetings will be in Dallas this Thursday, June 6. The next two meetings will be held on Monday, June 10 in San Antonio and Wednesday, June 12 in Houston.

The month of June is Gay Pride month and Chuck Smith, the executive director of Equality Texas, is looking back over the 83rd legislative session to celebrate the group’s successes and develop a plan for some areas of improvement.

"This legislative session we had a record number of endorsed bills--over 30 bills--and I think that was indicative of lawmakers not being afraid to carry our legislation. I think the reality is that what we are trying to do now is mainstream Texas values," Smith said.

Despite a lack of direction from the Texas Legislature, the state’s leading doctor is optimistic about how Texas will function without having a plan to address Medicaid expansion.  

Dr. Kyle Janek is the commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and will be the chief negotiator when the state begins discussions with federal government on whether to extend Texas a waiver and award the state a block grant to start a state-run form of Medicaid.

 The City of San Antonio has approved an ordinance under the 2012 Bond Program to save the lives of more stray dogs and cats.

The General Obligation Bond funds are designated for construction of new kennels to increase the City’s capacity to house roaming pets. The Request for Proposal allowed for the kennels to be built off-site and run by an independent organization, and The Animal Defense League successfully responded to the RFP. The Animal Defense League says its new $2.2-million dollar facility will move the city closer to the goal of becoming a “No-Kill” city.