In early January, we presented a legislative agenda for southern Dallas. While the state is not the primary culprit for the economic gap between the northern and southern halves of the city, state legislators certainly can help close that gap. In some cases, City Hall simply needs Austin to give it the power to do the right thing, thanks to the strange ways of our state constitution.

Two months into the four-month legislative session, here's how matters look for the southern half of the city – and what should happen next:

Financing construction of UNT-Dallas

Chances are looking good to get the $43.5 million for another building at the University of North Texas' Dallas campus near the intersection of Interstates 35 and 20. There's some thought that the federal stimulus money could help UNT, but things remain unclear. Whether it's through the normal appropriations process or the stimulus bill, UNT-Dallas seems on the way to getting that construction money. The school recently passed the 1,000 full-time student threshold the state considers necessary to prove the need for a university.

Recommendation: Rep. Jim Pitts, the Waxahachie Republican who heads the House Appropriations Committee, should shepherd this money through the appropriations bill or a stimulus bill. Dallas Democratic Sen. Royce West should play the same role in his chamber.

Tougher rules for bars

Tightening up the definition of exactly what constitutes a bar is more problematic. Not surprisingly, booze lobbyists are fighting back.

Today, any establishment that gets 75 percent of its gross receipts from liquor sales counts as a bar. The folks at City Hall rightly want that lowered to 50 percent. This would help control the proliferation of bars that impede development in the southern half of Dallas.

Recommendation: Rep. Yvonne Davis, a Dallas Democrat and the House Urban Affairs chair, should insert the city's proposal into a relevant bill as an amendment. The existing threshold allows too many bars to pop up south of the Trinity.

Refining the land bank law

Davis and Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, have each introduced bills to refine the law that governs the city's land bank, where it holds properties for development. The measures would help the city put together tax-delinquent properties and deliver them to developers. We welcome the bills, as they would help move more properties out of the land bank into development.

Recommendation: Davis' committee needs to hold hearings on both bills.

Deed transfers

West has introduced legislation to help Dallas and other cities develop more affordable housing. He proposes a $10 fee on deed transfers in Dallas as a way to expand the city's affordable housing program. This would help many residents in the city's southern half.

Recommendation: The Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which West heads, should hear the bill.

Dangerous dogs

Stray dogs are a constant danger in southern Dallas. They particularly threaten children, the elderly and other animals. While we would like to see such tighter restrictions as shortening the process for officially designating a dangerous dog, the Legislature's waiting for an opinion from Attorney General Greg Abbott to see if lawmakers can ban a specific breed of dogs. Until then, the dangerous dog issue is on hold.

Recommendation: An attorney general's opinion is an attorney general's opinion, so there's nothing the Lege can do until Abbott speaks.

Group homes

As of yesterday, Davis and Rep. Carol Kent, D-Dallas, still were crafting legislation that would give local authorities more power to shut down – or improve – group homes that care for Texans with mental disabilities, drug dependencies and other challenges. This is good news because today's the last day to file bills in the House – and Texas law makes it hard for the city to keep such homes, which are found in abundance in places like Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff, from becoming public health problems.

Recommendation: Either Davis' Urban Affairs Committee or the House's Human Services Committee should hear the bill.

The Legislature still has two months until adjournment, so there's time to achieve these goals. We will check back soon; these reforms could significantly help Dallas close the gaps between its two halves.