Privatizing CPS Duties, Death-row Appeal, a 2.5-day Commute? Your Wednesday Evening News Roundup

Good afternoon. Here are some stories you may have missed today. Do you want to get this roundup via email? Sign up for our newsletters here. Senate panel OKs far-ranging privatization of Texas CPS workers' duties A Senate panel has endorsed a sweeping child welfare privatization measure that in future years could outsource most of what Child Protective Services does beyond initial investigations of child-maltreatment reports. Under the bill, Texas would embrace a new "community-based care" method for procuring beds and therapies for abused and neglected kids. Yesterday: A Dallas County lawmaker wants to put more of the state's wallet behind efforts to persuade relatives to take in abused and neglected children. The fast-growing program gives modest financial assistance to grandparents, aunts and uncles who agree to take in children whom Child Protective Services has removed from their birth families. Last week: Two Democrats and a union representative urged that lawmakers should keep adding more workers at Child Protective Services and spread around a recent pay raise, but avoid further privatizing of child welfare. Get future updates: We'll send developments on legislation related to Child Protective Services straight to your inbox, and you can subscribe to updates on other issues you care about at our legislative hub, The 85th.   Continue reading...