The state’s contentious sanctuary cities bill failed to move out of the Senate late Tuesday — a move some senators said effectively killed one of the most controversial measures the Texas Legislature has considered this session.
May 2011
Posted in
Demographics
Video: On Fox News, Perry Talks Border Security, Bashes Feds
Gov. Rick Perry appeared on Fox News’ “On the Record with Greta van Susteren” Tuesday night to discuss border security. Of course, he also took a few swipes at the federal government for not doing more to help curb illegal immigration.
Posted in
State Government
Federal Threat Shuts Down TSA “Groping” Bill
A threat from the federal government to shut down Texas airports or cancel flights may have killed legislation by Tea Party conservatives in the Capitol to prohibit federal agents from conducting “invasive searches.”
Posted in
Public Education
Once-Stalled Education Bills Live On as Amendments
Legislation on textbook funding approved by the Senate today breathed new life into left-behind education bills, including three languishing charter school measures.
Posted in
Higher Education
Outcomes-Based Higher Ed Funding Measure Passes Senate
A bill that could alter the state’s formula funding for institutions of higher education to allow some of it to be based on outcomes such as graduation rates rather than simply enrollment has cleared the Senate.
Posted in
Health care
State Efforts to Take Control of Medicaid Struggling
Texas’ efforts to take control over Medicaid, the joint state-federal health care program for poor children and the disabled, could be in trouble.
Posted inState Government
House Votes Not to Change Primary Date
After a testy exchange, House lawmakers gave an initial OK to a voting bill that would push up the election filing period in order to give military voters more time to get absentee ballots.
Posted in
Health care
Senate Approves Bill on Health Reform Costs
In a mixed-bag swipe at “Obamacare,” the Texas Senate approved a bill today that would require state agencies to report the costs — and savings — of implementing federal health care reform.
Posted in
Health care
Special Session Hinges on School Finance Fix
The Legislature has just a few days to get the state budget, the most important bill of the session, passed and to the governor’s desk. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on the final items needed to send lawmakers home on time.
Posted in
Higher Education
Chairman of A&M Regents Responds to Faculty Concerns
Last week, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents chairman Richard Box received a letter from five Texas A&M University professors concerned about his intended direction for the system. Today, he responded, saying, “We are all in this together.”