Have Your Say on AISD's Budget
The Austin Independent School District is continuing its task of trying to balance next school year’s budget. AISD is holding a community budget forumtonight to present its preliminary 2011-2012 budget and get feedback. The district is facing a shortfall of at least $94 million in large part because the state is planning big cuts to public education. On Monday, AISD’s board voted to officially cut over 1,000 jobs. The budget forum is tonight at Bowie High School.
Hasan Case Delayed; New Commander to Take Over
Fort Hood's new commander likely will decide whether the accused Fort Hood shooter will go to trial and face the death penalty. The Associated Press reports current commanding general Lt. Gen. Robert Cone has granted Major Nidal Hasan's lawyer a delay in the case until late April. That's when a new commanding general is expected to take over.
Hasan's attorney, John Galligan, argued Lt. Gen. Cone couldn't have been impartial because he was on post the day of the 2009 shootings. The incoming commanding general, Maj. Gen. Donald Campbell, has led the Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky.
House to Vote on Spending Rainy Day Fund
Today the Texas House takes up a bill to use about $3 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. That money would be used to balance the state’s current budget. The reserve fund is expected to have a balance of at least $9.4 billion. While Governor Rick Perry has said the Rainy Day Fund should be used as a last resort, he did give his approval to use the $3 billion for this biennium.