Hays CISD officials are proposing to cut $12.25 million in spending following several years of funding challenges.

The district will be cutting or changing 125 positions and suspending stipends until next school year for 970 employees.

“These cuts will, in varying degrees, affect all of us,” Superintendent Eric Wright said in a news release.

What's happening? The majority of district spending is allocated to instructional services, and 88.71% of the district’s budget is spent on salaries and personnel costs, according to a news release. Officials say they are not able to make the necessary budget cuts without affecting jobs.

Officials confirmed more than 1,000 employees will be directly affected by one of the following:

• Layoffs
• Reduced workdays
• Reassignments or reclassifications
• Stipend suspensions

For the past decade, children and young adults with special needs in Buda have come to Joshua’s Stage to perform theater arts and find community.

The big picture: Joshua’s Stage uses the creative outlet method, which draws on social and emotional learning principles. The creative outlet method outlines 10 components of accessible programming for neurodivergent youth, including activity plans and positive words.

A closer look: Programs include:

• Theatre arts & more! workshops

• Individual enrichment program

• Birthday parties and playdates

• After-school programs

Quote of note: “Our mission has always been a space where everyone—regardless of ability—can experience the magic of theater,” Executive Director Joshua Levy said in a news release. “Watching our students grow has been the greatest reward.”

• Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St., Buda

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.