Opinion

Texas House and Senate leaders appear to agree on their proposed budgets. Next, they just have to figure out how to cut $7.2 billion.

Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, worked with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to propose a state budget of $119.7 billion in general funds. House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, proposed the same budget figure, indicating a collaborative spirit at the start of the 87th session.

That spirit will be tested as legislators try to meet Comptroller Glen Hegar’s budgeted revenue forecast of $112.5 billion.

Norman V. Horner is a retired educator who doesn’t really care whether folks call him “Dr.” or not. His distinguished career--plus his 40 articles in professional journals and his leadership in scholarly organizations--suggest that he’s been worthy of his degree for a long time.

A Brown County native, Horner holds A.A., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, respectively, from Tarleton State (then Junior) College, two from what was then the University of North Texas and his doctorate from Oklahoma State University.

Some of us are more frugal than others. Some were born to the situation … where money was tight and “stingy” was a virtue. They looked down on those who wasted stuff. They poo-pooed those who threw away food that could be trimmed to get rid of mold, food that could be combined with something else, or scraps that could be frozen until a destiny could be determined for the half cup of mashed potatoes left from Sunday night’s dinner.

The sports fan in me is going nuts right now.

With my favorite sport hockey firing up this time last week, I became a little more grateful in my own watching. You see, I had some problems watching a game for work the night before.

At the JHS-Henrietta game, I went to find a place deep in the stands. That’s done for a couple of reasons:

• so the kids who don’t realize the stands aren’t a playground won’t be scarred for life for being told no.

The Texas Legislature opened quietly, which delighted everyone after the violence inside the U.S. Capitol the previous week.

At the Texas State Capitol, a variety of legislative agendas took center stage at the start of the 87th session, which will run 140 days. Gov. Greg Abbott’s goals include ensuring Texans have access to high-quality healthcare, improving public safety, getting Texans back to work and promoting the state’s economic recovery.

Many other state organizations announced their agendas, too:

A Texas automobile driver was “tooling” down a rural highway on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Most motorists had already reached destinations, or maybe decided not to go. He felt alone, not another vehicle in sight on a long stretch of pavement.

Suddenly, flashing lights in his rearview mirror were strong indicators that he wasn’t alone. Further, he wondered if his definition of “tooling” might run sideways with the definition understood by the Department of Public Safety trooper ambling toward his parked vehicle.

I came across a cute thing on Facebook the other morning. Praise the Lord, it had nothing to do with Pandemics or Presidential Inaugurations/ Impeachments or the poor old people waiting in their cars at the stadium for a vaccination. Some of you may have seen it, too, but it is worth getting my take on this. As a member of the press, I have insights into the “truth,” of which others are certainly in need.

It’s a new year, but the news out of the capital continues to focus on COVID-19.