Progress of major proposals in the Legislature

Only two months remain in the legislative session, and Texas lawmakers are racing to get their bills approved.

Some major proposals are steadily making their way through the Capitol, while others seem to be sinking fast. Here's a look at high-profile proposals still in play or not.

TEXAS BUDGET: The House approved a $150.1 billion two-year proposed state budget early Friday, making some bold statements about education that pleased teachers' lobbyists.

The spending plan takes millions of dollars from a new teacher incentive pay program and instead provides an across-the-board pay raise estimated at about $800 for teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses. The House also voted to ban using state money on private school vouchers, even as voucher advocates continued to press separate legislation calling for them.

Conservatives cheered the fact that the budget plan leaves billions of dollars unspent, putting away $8.5 billion that could be tapped for future property tax relief.

"I'm thrilled that we were able to accomplish so many goals at once with this budget," said House Speaker Tom Craddick.

The budget the only bill the Legislature must approve before adjourning May 28 is far from finished. Senators will craft their version, then legislators from both chambers will work out differences.

TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION: After disputes between Gov. Rick Perry and members of the Legislature, the sides have reached a compromise over how to start repairing the broken Texas Youth Commission.

Allegations of sexual abuse in youth detention centers led to the resignation of the commission's board and several top staff members.

Perry at first resisted the idea of naming a conservator to take over the state agency and chose former aide Jay Kimbrough as special master to oversee an investigation. But many legislators weren't satisfied, and through public hearings and newly filed legislation insisted on a conservator, who would have specific legal powers to make changes.

On Wednesday, Perry relented and put the agency into a conservatorship, naming Kimbrough to that position. The Senate confirmed Kimbrough for the job Thursday. Legislation to carry out a restructuring of TYC remains pending.

CERVICAL CANCER: The hoopla earlier this session about Perry requiring Texas girls to get vaccinated against the human papilloma virus has calmed a bit, but legislation that would undo his executive order is still making its way through the Capitol.

The House passed legislation by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, in mid-March, to override Perry's February order.

Some lawmakers think Perry's order infringes on parents' right to decide whether their daughters should get the vaccine against the virus that can cause cervical cancer. Others say they agree with Perry's goal but contend it's a matter for the Legislature to decide.

The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

STEROIDS TESTING: High School steroids testing a major part of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's children's agenda won approval in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. If the measure wins passage in the full Senate, it will go to the House.

The nation's largest high school steroids testing program would be created under the proposal by Sen. Kyle Janek, a Houston Republican.

IMMIGRATION: More than 20 bills dealing with illegal immigration don't look like they're going anywhere.

The Legislature does appear poised to appropriate money probably the $100 million Perry has suggested to help with border security. Lawmakers also will consider a border security bill soon in committee.

But instead of voting on several bills affecting immigrants' rights, which could ultimately be ruled unconstitutional in court, the House instead is likely to consider a non-binding resolution asking Congress to do more about immigration.

"We will be sending the federal government a list of things about their failure to control the border," said Republican Rep. David Swinford, who chairs the House State Affairs Committee.

One of the state bills that's been sidelined is by Rep. Leo Berman, a Tyler Republican. It would have attempted to deny citizenship to children born in the United States who have illegal immigrant parents.

SEX OFFENDERS: The House has approved using the death penalty against sex offenders who repeatedly prey on children. Its version of "Jessica's Law" creates a new category of crime continual sexual abuse of a young child or children that carries a minimum of 25 years to life in prison on a first conviction and possibly the death penalty for a second offense.

That was a compromise after some lawmakers worried that a broader death penalty provision might lead some molesters to kill their victims or that it could be unconstitutional.

The Senate has yet to act on the measure.

TEXAS LOTTERY SALE: Perry proposed in his State of the State address this year that Texas sell its lottery to a private firm for at least $14 billion and use the proceeds for cancer research, education and health insurance.

That idea landed with a thud in the Legislature.

House and Senate leaders worried that Perry's plan would leave education shortchanged and that selling the lottery could lead to an expansion of gambling in the state.

Some lawmakers did like Perry's cancer research idea, though, and to help fund the $3 billion initiative leading Republican lawmakers are suggesting a bond plan to come up with about $300 million per year for the research money.

CASINO GAMBLING: Big-money interests are lining up behind legislation that would allow casino resorts in major cities, along the Gulf Coast and at Indian reservations. But the proposal is mostly the subject of back-room talks at the Capitol so far.

Casino supporters are trying to create a united front with reluctant race track owners who want video slot machines at their tracks but aren't so sure about allowing full casinos.

Waiting in the wings are social conservatives in the Legislature who have dashed efforts in the past to expand gambling and are vowing to do it again.