Government

The largest teacher’s union in the state of Texas and a right-wing political think tank are providing their assessment of this past session education bills.

A statewide pro-business group based in Austin is urging Gov. Rick Perry to veto House Bill 5, a bill that changes the state’s testing structure for public schools.

Bill Hammond, the executive director for the Texas Business Association, said the House bill that reduces the number of high-stakes exams for school kids will provide the Texas workforce with a poor product.

"60 or 70 percent of the jobs that are being created today require some post-secondary education of some sort, perhaps even a certificate from a community college or an associate’s degree," Hammond said.

A lawmaker from the San Antonio area is pushing the Gov. Rick Perry to sign into a law a bill that prohibits public schools from selling sugary drinks.

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, said he fought to get his own version of the bill approved for the past two sessions, hoping that a ban on sugary drinks at the state’s elementary and middle schools will help the Hispanic population turn the corner in the fight against obesity and diabetes.

What did pass was a companion bill, House Bill 217, which excluded high schools from the ban.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the officer, Sergio Hernandez, was asked to finish his drink and leave Stacy's Bar on Blanco as it was closing early Thursday morning.

McManus said he was escorted out when he got angry and then kicked the door and knocked out the plexi-glass to the door.

Hernandez is assigned to the south patrol and is a 10-year veteran of the department. McManus said he will be referred to SAPD's Officer Concern Program.