Vol 32, Issue 19 Print Issue

Sarah Goodfriend, second from left, and Suzanne Bryant, center, with their daughters (far left and far right) and Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, second from right. DeBeauvoir issued Goodfriend and Bryant a marriage license on Feb. 19, 2015.
Sarah Goodfriend, second from left, and Suzanne Bryant, center, with their daughters (far left and far right) and Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, second from right. DeBeauvoir issued Goodfriend and Bryant a marriage license on Feb. 19, 2015.

Head of GSD&M Urges Opposition to Gay Marriage Bill

The big question in the House on Thursday was whether the midnight deadline would strike before Republicans could bring up a controversial gay marriage bill.

The Week in the Rearview Mirror

Jockeying continued all week between the House and Senate leadership over the form of tax relief this session. Negotiations on the issue were being closely followed because the impasse could trigger a special session if it is not resolved. The latest word on Thursday, though, was that a deal could be struck before week's end.

The Senate referred the House's border security bill for a hearing early next week, a signal that the two chambers have forged a deal on passing legislation on the topic declared a legislative priority by Abbott earlier this year.

Facing a midnight deadline in the House to take initial votes on that chamber's bills, Democrats dragged their feet, working to delay a vote on a bill forbidding the use of state or local funds to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation this week approving a measure that would ensure that some high school seniors who fail to pass state exams can seek an alternate route to graduation.

Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday boosted University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall's efforts to dig into admissions at UT-Austin by siding with Hall in a dispute over whether regents can have access to confidential student records. Even after that ruling, though, Hall was told that he can't see confidential student information related to admissions.

The controversy over the secret videorecording project of lawmakers by the American Phoenix Foundation escalated further on Sunday after the disclosure that a copy of the footage had been shared with Breitbart Texas. As the week unfolded, Texas Rangers had become involved as the videographers were confronted more and more frequently by Capitol reporters and lobbyists.

Political People and their Moves

Donald R. "Dee" Margo of El Paso was named by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Oversight Committee for a term to expire on Jan. 31, 2021. Margo is a former state representative for House District 78 from 2011-13.

John L. Nau III was named chairman of the Texas Historical Commission by Abbott for a term to expire on Feb. 1, 2021. Additionally, Abbott appointed former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Anna Benavides Galo for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2019, and Feb. 1, 2021, respectively.

Benjamin M. Hanson of Austin was named by Abbott to the State Cemetery Committee for a term to expire on Feb. 1, 2021.

Rodolfo “Rudy” Madrid Jr. of Kingsville was appointed by Abbott to the Commission on State Emergency Communication for a term to expire on Sept. 1, 2017.

Zak Covar is stepping down from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the agency announced. His resignation is effective June 1Covar, who was appointed to the commission in January 2014, is leaving to pursue a private sector job.

GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz on Monday named the California and Michigan chairmen of his presidential campaignSaul Anuzis will lead Cruz's 2016 bid in Michigan, while Ron Nehring will take the helm in California. Both men are former chairmen of the Republican parties in their states.

Deaths: Bob Nichols, 88, former president of engineering firm Freese and Nichols, former national president of the National Society of Professional Engineers

Disclosure: The Texas Historical Commission is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. Dee R. Margo and John L. Nau, III are major donors to The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.