TEXAS PRE-K
Texas lieutenant governor advisers: Pre-K a `Godless’ choice
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Socialist and keeping kids in a `Godless environment’ is what advisers to the new Texas lieutenant governor are calling a major push to improve pre-K statewide.
The letter sent Tuesday to lawmakers is a direct jab at a major priority for new Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
It was written by a “grassroots advisory” board of conservative activists that Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick assembled upon taking office in January. Patrick is a firebrand tea party leader who is popular with Texas ultraconservatives.
Patrick spokesman Alejandro Garcia said the letter was unsolicited and “expresses the individual viewpoints of Texas citizens.”
The letter goes on to say that public pre-K has no long-term benefits and removes children from religious preschools.
Abbott has made improving pre-K one of his first promises as governor.
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EASING GRADUATION STANDARDS
Texas House OKs plan to let some students bypass test rules
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas lawmakers could let thousands of Texas high school students graduate this year even if they fail some of the standardized tests normally required for a diploma.
The House on Tuesday moved the proposal closer to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The Senate has already approved a similar measure.
Under the plan by Republican state Sen. Kel Seliger, the state would offer an alternative graduation plan to about 28,000 class of 2015 seniors who failed to pass one of five required statewide exams. The House tweaked the bill to allow students to fail two exams.
It would also establish committees to determine whether a student could graduate based on other academic factors like attendance and grades.
Seliger fast-tracked the bill so that eligible students may graduate this spring.
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EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS
Experimental drug access closer for terminally ill patients
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas lawmakers are closer to putting experimental drugs within the reach of terminally ill patients.
The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday preliminarily passed “Right to Try” legislation that would give patients access to drugs awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Senate has already approved a similar measure.
Patients would be required to give written consent and have a physician’s recommendation. The drugs must have also cleared the first phase of clinical trials.
The bill was written in memory of Austin attorney who died of cancer while awaiting a drug’s approval. Andrea Sloan’s parents watched from the House gallery as lawmakers passed the measure.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott would still need to sign off on the bill.