In a press release today, the Texas College Republicans said they were “stunned” by the actions of a member of the Texas Senate: Steve Ogden, R-Bryan.
April 2011
Posted in
State Government
Guest Column: How to Bridge the Budget Gap
As the clock counts down to the end of the regular session on May 30, it’s fair to ask House and Senate leaders — and all members — to meet our needs, not our wants. Here’s how they can bridge the multi-billion-dollar gap between their budget plans without any new taxes.
Posted in
Health care
TribLive: Cornyn on Planned Parenthood “Facts”
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was unwilling to distance himself from controversial remarks about Planned Parenthood by his colleague, U.S. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bassett: Politics Stymied Willingham Investigation
The former chairman of a state forensic board applauded the current commissioners’ report on the arson investigation used to convict Cameron Todd Willingham, but said he’s deeply concerned that politics stymied their ability to take a stronger stance.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for April 18, 2011
Your afternoon reading: a possible Democratic contender for Senate, cartels setting up shop in the U.S. and the beer run that led to a massive wildfire.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Votes for “Transparent” TxDOT
The Texas Department of Transportation Sunset bill that got caught up in the backlog of legislation last session passed the Senate today.
Posted in
Economy
Could Soda Tax Fill Budget Hole?
Republican lawmakers have vowed to close the budget hole without a new tax. But that hasn’t stopped Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, from proposing a penny per ounce tax on soft drinks.
Posted in
State Government
The Brief: April 18, 2011
State budget writers should be looking foward this week to finalize a budget that currently seeks to gut billions from current spending levels. But the fight coming doesn’t look like an easy one for either chamber.
Posted in
Economy
A Budget Problem Deferred — to Now
The 2006 tax swap — lowering local school property taxes and creating a new business tax to make up the difference — is at the center of Texas’ current budget troubles. The architects are still pointing fingers over what and whom to blame for the state’s “structural deficit.”
Posted in
Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: With Money Short…
For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked whether lawmakers ought to revise the state’s main business tax, whether they’ll extend a major small business tax exemption, and what they think are the smartest and dumbest cuts in proposed state budgets.
