State legislators meet on Texas A&M campus to discuss pressing issues
Local state representatives in the Texas House and Senate gathered on the Texas A&M campus Thursday afternoon to reflect on the last legislative session and what the future holds for hot-button issues facing Texans.
State Sen. Dr. Charles Schwertner and State Reps. John Raney and Kyle Kacal (all Republicans 
) were joined by Evan Smith, the Texas Tribune's CEO and editor-in-chief, for a discussion covering everything from public education to immigration to deregulating tuition for higher education.
The conversation began with spending on public education. Texas ranks 46th in the nation in spending per pupil, spending about $2,500 less than the national average per student. Schwertner said the issue of public education is the highest priority for the state, and Raney said the state should focus more on outcome than money.
Kacal lauded House Bill 5, which lowered the number of state standardized tests for high school students before graduation and changes the courses needed for a diploma, pointing to the opportunities for increased exploration of vocational education.
More at http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_1510eabb-4246-5773-9e19-4d632406580c.html .
One other notable paragraph in the article:
