For those betting on the horserace to be the next state’s next public national research โ or tier-one โ university, the winners are about to be crowned. Today, the House tentatively passed House Bill 1000, which creates a mechanism to claim the prize money.
April 2011
Doctors, Chiropractors Square Off Over Bill
After a fierce fight, the stateโs leading physician groups won a change in legislation backed predominantly by Texas chiropractors that could have prevented one health care licensing agency from challenging the ruling of another in court.
Recommendations, But No Ruling, Issued in Willingham Case
The Texas Forensic Science Commission has released its draft report on the Cameron Todd Willingham case without ruling on the central question before it โ whether fire investigators were negligent or committed professional misconduct.
Interactive: Annotated Forensic Commission Report
The Texas Forensic Science Commission is meeting to discuss a draft report on the controversial arson convictions and death sentences of Cameron Todd Willingham and Ernest Ray Willis. Read and search the report here.
Juvenile Justice Agencies Come Closer to Merger
Hours after the state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would merge the state’s two juvenile criminal justice agencies, a House committee passed a similar bill.
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for April 14, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Senate approves teen “sexting” ban; puppy mill bill derailed; map would add five Latino seats
House Puppy Mill Bill Hits a Snag
A bill that would regulate so-called puppy mills, and has dog breeders and animal rights groups at each other’s throats, got derailed from the fast-track to passage in the Texas House today.
Senate Approves Legislation on Teen Sex
Two bills regulating teenagersโ sex lives passed on the Senate floor today โ one would outlaw โsextingโ by minors; the other would exempt young adults caught having consensual sex with a minor from registering as sex offenders.
Video: Rick Perry on Higher Education
At a Thursday morning press conference, Gov. Rick Perry discussed his priorities on higher education, including a four-year tuition freeze, $10,000 degrees and outcomes-based funding.
Update: Peรฑa’s Proposed District a Toss-Up?
Last year, after the Republicans won large majorities in the Texas House, state Rep. Aaron Peรฑa of Edinburg left the Democrats to join the GOP. Is he now being rewarded with a district that a Republican can maintain? Check out these maps.


