By BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Texas lawmakers passed major changes to Medicaid and voted to allow the formation of health care cooperatives. The vote was part of the special legislative session to pass laws that will balance the state budget.
After a final procedural vote, the measure goes back to the Senate.
The bill expands the privatization of Medicaid in South Texas and for the first time allows doctors, hospitals and insurance companies to work together to lower costs. The bill could save the state $467 million.
But opponents worry that it will allow managed care organizations to cut reimbursement rates to doctors. That would result in fewer doctors accepting Medicaid patients, and fewer poor people receiving adequate medical care.
Lawmakers must deal with a $27 billion shortfall and say they have to cut everywhere.
Federal court won't dismiss lawsuit against Exxon
A federal court will allow environmental groups to pursue a lawsuit that accuses the largest U.S. refinery of violating federal air pollution laws thousands of times in the past five years.
The U.S. District Court Southern District on Tuesday dismissed a request by Exxon Mobil Corp. to dismiss the lawsuit regarding its Texas facility.
The lawsuit filed by Sierra Club and Environment Texas says Irving-based Exxon's Baytown refinery released 8 million pounds of illegal pollution, including cancer-causing toxins, without facing proper fines or being forced to fix equipment.
The environmental groups say they are suing refineries in the Houston Ship Channel to force compliance with the federal Clean Air Act because Texas state regulators are failing to do so. They have reached a $5.8 million with Shell.
Contractor defends fired DPS admin
A subcontractor in a $2.6 million state project that led to the firing of the Texas administrator in charge of federal homeland security grants says there was nothing improper about how his former Texas National Guard colleague handled the contract.
Randall Casey, president of Round Rock-based Cyber Defenses, on Wednesday defended former Texas Department of Public Safety administrator Janice Bruno. DPS began the process of firing Bruno this week and said criminal charges may be pending.
Casey and Bruno served together in the Texas National Guard, but Casey said the contract was not a matter of favoritism.
Bruno has not returned messages for comment.
Casey said Cyber Defenses and the main contractor, Austin-based MRSW Management, are owed more than $700,000 from the state in payments frozen because of the investigation.
Dallas Names Street for Southwest Airlines Chief
The road leading into Dallas Love Field is now "Herb Kelleher Way".
The City Council today re-named the portion of Cedar Springs from Mockingbird to the Love Field terminal after the legendary founder of Southwest Airlines.
Council member Ann Margolin summed up the city's gratitude.
Margolin: When you look at the history of what happened with Love Field it's really amazing it's still here and operating. It's a testament to your determination, your talent, your entrepreneurial spirit. And because of that, we owe you an incredible debt of gratitude.
The airline is one of the top five taxpayers in Dallas - about 10 million dollars annually. Southwest is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. Kelleher told council members that a Love Field street named after him is the best award he's ever received.
Dallas Council Beefs Up Ethics Policy
Dallas City Council members have rolled back some new ethics policies on campaign contributions. They were on a long list of agenda items approved without discussion in April.
The changes made it easier for firms and individuals to make political contributions to council members, and became an issue in the current Mayor's race.
Council member Angela Hunt says the changes flew under the radar of most council members and were a mistake.
Hunt: I think it's important that the public have faith that we make decisions based on what's good for Dallas not what happens to be good for our political campaigns.
The Council put back tougher restrictions on "when" people and firms with business at City Hall can contribute to council members.
City Attorney Tom Perkins previously said a couple of council members came to him to press for relaxation of the "time restriction" on contributions. So far, no council member has publically claimed the idea. The tougher ethics rules passed unanimously.
Former FW Officers Indicted
Two more former Fort Worth Police officers are under indictment in an "overtime fraud' investigation. The first ex-officer was indicted last month on theft charges.
Court documents say the three allegedly altered the "time" on traffic tickets and collected thousands of dollars in overtime they did not actually work. The money came from a traffic enforcement grant program.
Six other former officers could face prosecution as the investigation continues.
Adamson HS In Dallas: Historic
Adamson High School is now a city of Dallas Historic Landmark.
Council members, today, voted to grant historic status to the Oak Cliff school. It was built in 1915, and sits on an entire block.
The Dallas School District is in the process of building a 48 million dollar "new" Adamson nearby. School District officials haven't decided what to do with the old' school. Tearing it down would be a difficult option now that it has historic status.