By Staff Reports
Dallas, TX –
School Funding Troubles
A school finance bill needed to balance the proposed state budget collapsed in the Texas House Monday. The bill was supposed to relieve the state of about two billion dollars in obligations to public school districts by changing school funding formulas. But it was killed on a parliamentary procedure. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst says he hopes the changes can be added onto another budget bill - otherwise a special session on school funding is likely.
Governor Signs Sonogram Bill
Governor Rick Perry held a formal signing ceremony for the "sonogram bill" Tuesday. It requires that doctors performing an abortion first perform a sonogram. The bill also requires the doctor to explain the presence of organs or limbs and make the image of the fetus and fetal heartbeat available to the woman. Governor Perry had declared this "emergency legislation". The sonogram law takes effect September 1st.
Plano Murder Suspects Fights Extradition
The man accused of killing a Plano fitness instructor continues to fight extradition to Texas. Terrance Black refused extradition during a court appearance in Arizona Tuesday. He appeared in court wearing a halo brace to support his head after he jumped from a Grand Canyon ledge to try to avoid capture. Black is accused of killing ex-girlfriend Susan Loper, who was reported missing April 19 from a Plano country club fitness room. Her body was found the next day.