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Senate Approves Eyewitness ID Reform

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 16, 2011

The Texas Senate unanimously approved a bill today that would revamp eyewitness identification policies used by law enforcement agencies. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Courtesy of the Cole family
Six Degrees of Jeff Sandefer: Reform and Texas Higher Ed

By Reeve Hamilton March 16, 2011

The recent hiring of Rick O’Donnell as a special adviser to the board of regents at the University of Texas System has some observers — worried about the implications for the University of Texas at Austin — playing connect the dots. Full Story
Prominent UT Alumnus Warns of "Degradation" at University

By Reeve Hamilton March 16, 2011

Prominent University of Texas alumnus Gordon Appleman says recent changes at the UT System Board of Regents "seemed important enough to where I ought to do something rather than sit by and watch it happen." Full Story

Credit: Brandon Watts
Texas Decides on Substitute Execution Drug

By Brandi Grissom March 16, 2011

Cleve Foster will be the first Texas inmate to receive the anesthetic drug pentobarbital — instead of sodium thiopental — in the three-drug cocktail that will be used in his execution on April 5. Full Story
The Brief: Top Texas News for March 16, 2011

By David Muto March 16, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry conceded on Tuesday that it may be raining, but he's not putting the umbrella all the way up. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Opponents Fight Nuclear Plant, Citing Japan's Disaster

By Becca Aaronson March 16, 2011

In its first hearing since an earthquake and tsunami crippled Japan and threatened nuclear meltdown at several reactors, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission heard testimony today on whether to give early-stage approval to a new nuclear plant in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Company
Where Do Elected Officials Send Their Kids to School?

By Morgan Smith and Andrew Weber March 16, 2011

Tribune readers, wondering what was personally at stake for the state’s education policy makers, asked us to check where lawmakers send their children to school. We obliged, and posed that question to all 181 members of the Legislature and 15 members of the State Board of Education. Full Story
Nuclear Drama in Japan Halts Texas Project

By Erika Aguilar, KUT News March 16, 2011

The nuclear emergency in Japan, 6,500 miles away, has put plans for the expansion of a Texas nuclear facility on hold. And as Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, utilities in San Antonio and Austin were in talks to buy power from the plant before the crisis began to unfold. Full Story
Election Contest Committee Sides With Howard

By Aziza Musa March 15, 2011

The House Election Contest Committee unanimously voted today to uphold Rep. Will Hartnett's determination that Donna Howard won the long-disputed HD-48 seat. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Voter ID to Hit House Next Week

By Julián Aguilar March 15, 2011

The House Calendars Committee voted this evening to place the voter ID bill, SB 14, on the schedule for Monday. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Ban Synthetic Drugs, Lawmakers Say

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 15, 2011

Synthetic drugs and hallucinogenic plants shouldn't stand a chance in Texas, lawmakers on the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee said today, as they considered a set of bills that would ban the substances. Full Story
Appropriations Votes to Spend $3.1 Billion From Rainy Day Fund

By Thanh Tan March 15, 2011

Late Tuesday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee voted 27-0 to move HB 275 to the floor. The substitute bill authorizes the state to draw down about $3.1 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
GOP Lawmakers Call for Reform, Guest-Worker Program

By Julián Aguilar March 15, 2011

Calling on Washington to fix the country’s “discriminatory” immigration system, Hispanic Republicans in the Texas Legislature also fired off the first salvos in what could be a divisive battle within the party over immigration legislation. Full Story
Perry: Campaign's Social Media Warrants a Book

By Emily Ramshaw March 15, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry, who has 52,000 fans on Facebook, said Tuesday that his 2010 re-election campaign's use of social media could make history. Full Story

Credit: Politico
Update: Protesters Gather Against Paddling

By Andrew Weber March 15, 2011

Some small school districts in Texas still paddle poorly behaving students, and protesters at the Capitol today said they want the swatting to stop. Full Story
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for March 15, 2011

By David Muto March 15, 2011

Your afternoon reading: tentative deal to tap Rainy Day Fund struck; Perry making robocalls for conservative group; Senate approves "Choose Life" license plates Full Story
Beach Projects at Risk From Lawsuit, Budget

By Becca Aaronson March 15, 2011

The General Land Office has a lot on its plate these days — a controversial property rights lawsuit, the reopening of Texas’ favorite surf spot and an ongoing project to restore Texas’ most fertile fishing pier. Full Story

Credit: Judy Baxter
The Brief: Top Texas News for March 15, 2011

By David Muto March 15, 2011

The scuffle over tapping the Rainy Day Fund took an awkward turn on Monday. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Data App: Lobbying Directory Details Spending, Clients

By Matt Stiles and Christopher Chang March 15, 2011

Lobbyists spent more than $1.2 million in the first two months of 2011 trying to influence lawmakers and state officials, according to the latest ethics filings, which are now accessible in our new lobbying data application. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Cotera/Todd Wiseman
Guest Column: How About a "Pro-Life" Budget?

By Eddie Lucio Jr. March 15, 2011

I believe people should understand the gravity of their decision — which is why it's too bad there's no sonogram provision for the Texas budget process. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich