Williams sidesteps the issue of $5.4 billion in education cuts
AUSTIN -- Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams sidestepped the debate over $5.4 billion slashed from public schools two years ago during his first appearance Wednesday before state budget-writers.The cuts led to lawsuits pitting hundreds of districts against the state.Williams, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in October, said after testifying to the Senate Finance Committee that it is premature to discuss school funding until the court cases are settled."It's more prudent now to wait until we hear what the court tells us," Williams said. "I think it is more prudent for the Legislature not to put loaded sums of money in one area and have the court make a determination that we got to reverse and go back in another direction."A resurgent Texas economy and a booming oil and gas industry have made state coffers flush with dollars again. Both the House and Senate introduced budget drafts for 2014-15 last week, but neither restored the public education cuts that the Republican-controlled Legislature made in 2011 while faced with a $27 billion shortfall.-- The Associated PressRetired dentist, 76, convicted ofmurder in his wife's deathTYLER -- A 76-year-old retired dentist was convicted of murder Wednesday for killing his wife at their home last summer.Earlier, Bobby Ray Nichols testified that he was "in a stupor" and did not intend to fatally shoot his wife, only to scare her with his 9 mm handgun.The penalty phase of the trial is scheduled to begin this morning. The maximum sentence is life in prison.In closing arguments, prosecutor Jason Parrish told jurors that Rosalind Nichols bled to death slowly from her abdominal wound.Earlier in the day, experts for both sides testified about Nichols' bouts of depression, dependence on alcohol and the mental impairment associated with alcohol abuse or his Parkinson's disease. -- The Associated PressHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
