TribTalk

The heady days of the Texas Legislature's superiority in state budget writing seem to have come to a close in favor of giving the governor an unprecedented amount of power over how the state spends its money.

Lobbyist and former legislative staffer Lawrence Collins: http://trib.it/1WLgZ74

As the end of the school year approaches, many high school seniors and their parents are looking ahead to the next big step in life — going to college. But for far too many, that excitement somehow fades between spring graduation and fall enrollment.

Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes: trib.it/26hE1qr

It is all but certain that the Legislature will resume efforts to pass “religious protection” measures next session. These efforts will pose challenges to Republican leaders attempting to keep the disparate elements that make up their party within the GOP tent — especially Gov. Greg Abbott.

Jim Henson and Joshua Blank of the Texas Politics Project: http://trib.it/1TjKlGK

The Child Protective Services-related stories that have been in the news lately are symptoms of a broken system. The deaths of children and the poor outcomes of foster youth are the result of more than just overworked caseworkers.

— Katherine Barillas of One Voice Texas

Truth and transparency prevent wrongful convictions and increase public confidence in the integrity and fairness of our criminal justice systems.

— Former U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Sullivan

The more Texans we have who understand the complex issues surrounding public school finance, the more likely we are to find great solutions.

— Michael Barba, policy analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation

I have been asked repeatedly over the past few days "what I can say" about LifeWorks' involvement with Meechiael Criner, the suspect in the death of UT-Austin student Haruka Weiser. If he is found guilty of this terrible crime, we will be left to debate whom is to be held responsible for his fate — himself alone, school bullies, foster care, parents? I hold no hope for an easy answer.

— LifeWorks Executive Director Susan McDowell

Understanding and responding to Texas' rapidly growing population is vital to ensuring communities across the state continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

Laura Huffman of The Nature Conservancy: trib.it/23yIlPR

The Department of Labor’s impending proposal to dramatically change the cost of overtime pay exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act may force Texas employers to increase pay to an estimated 400,000 employees if the proposal is finalized without changes. How can employers comply with these changes?

Michael V. Abcarian, managing partner of the Dallas office of Fisher & Phillips: http://trib.it/1PUDJtH

The rise of mogul-turned-presidential candidate Donald Trump may contribute to the demise of GOP efforts to attract Latino voters to the party — or at least to avoid alienating them in large numbers.

Jim Henson and Joshua Blank of the Texas Politics Project: http://trib.it/1Waq09I

UT-Austin and A&M are wonderful, prestigious universities, but they are not necessarily the best choice for everyone. There are more than 30 state universities and 50 community college districts in Texas. Proximity, affordability, available programs, class sizes, student-to-teacher ratios and many other factors should be considered when choosing a school.

Brent Baker, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Weatherford College: http://trib.it/1PQMzsr

Now more than ever, people want a voice in how and by whom they are governed. But is Texas interested in allowing them a chance to participate?

James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation: http://trib.it/21V4y7W

My cerebral palsy doesn’t prevent me from working and living my life, but it does stop me from turning a doorknob.

Susie Angel, editor and researcher for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities: http://trib.it/1RyQQTv

Texans do not support discrimination in the name of faith. They understand that it's bad for the state, it’s bad for the nation and — most importantly — it’s wrong.

Chuck Smith of Equality Texas: http://trib.it/1MQNtoJ

While Texans are able to conduct a wide variety of online transactions that require sensitive personal and financial information, including renewing driver’s licenses and paying property taxes, we are among a dwindling minority of states that prohibit their citizens from being able to register to vote online.

Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant: http://trib.it/22Ljh7L

Whatever justifications Republicans might have to deny confirmation for an Obama nominee, refusing to consider any nominee based on the Thurmond Rule isn't one of them.

UT-Austin law student Anya Bidwell: http://trib.it/1SjV2bV

In Texas, the process for deciding how to best funds from the Deepwater Horizon disaster settlement has been transparent and geared toward projects that have a broad public benefit.

Josiah Neeley: http://trib.it/1SGJt0p

When you have a headache, a friend of mine once remarked, it isn’t because of a painkiller deficiency. Likewise, when universities have not yet achieved high recognition for excellent research, it isn’t because they lack Nobel laureates. To think so is to mistake the profile of a world-class research institution for the process of becoming world-class.

A new program, launched by Gov. Greg Abbott last month, commits exactly this mistake.

By guaranteeing a taxpayer-subsidized attorney for their civil proceeding, Sen. Harry Reid's new bill would effectively give illegal aliens greater rights than citizens.

Jon Feere: http://trib.it/21n7ASi

The only real regret I have after my interview of President Obama last week is that I didn't get to ask him more questions. Here are some things I would have asked, along with my thoughts on why these questions were worth asking.

Evan Smith: http://trib.it/1YRYEEE