While Texas Lawmakers Talk of Big Fixes to CPS, Foster Care, They’re Not Yet Adding Big Money

AUSTIN -- Legislative budget writers haven't yet agreed to pay for a major overhaul of either Texas' beleaguered Child Protective Services agency or its much-criticized foster care system.With the session fast approaching the halfway mark, the only thing House and Senate budget writers are virtually certain to pay for is two more years' worth of the emergency pay raises and new hires that state GOP leaders granted to CPS in December.But that's only about one-quarter of the new money that the Department of Family and Protective Services, CPS' parent agency, has said it needs in the next budget cycle to rein in abuse of vulnerable children and elderly Texans.Republican leaders have defended what they acknowledge has been a cautious approach, while a leading House Democrat questioned whether leaders will add some wallet to their big talk of fixing CPS and foster care.  Continue reading...