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LINE OF THE DAY “I hate children.” —State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, discussing education and health in human services at yesterday’s Finance Committee hearing.

FLOOR PLAY BY ABBY RAPOPORT When it comes to education hearings, talk tends to turn to the businessy side of education, with superintendents and product vendors throwing around words like

“efficiency” and “flexibility.” Instead of, you know, “education.”

OBSERVED “Have you ever held someone’s hand, been their friend or relative before” an abortion? Sen. John Whitmire asked sonogram bill sponsor Dan Patrick that loaded question yesterday

during the Senate debate. “How can you speak for the women of the state if you haven’t had to deal with it on a personal basis?” Alexa Garcia-Ditta reports on the Senate vote in favor of the

sonogram requirement, and what happens next.

BEST OF THE REST At The Texas Tribune, Aziza Musa tackled an essential question about the impact of billions in budget cuts: Will more Texas youth, stripped of many alternative programs

proven to work, end up in prison?

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING Thousands of disabled Texans could be left on the streets under the current budget. At today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, The Observer will report on testimony

from people who would be directly affected by the proposed cuts.

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