A portion of a multi-faceted homeland security bill that appeared near dead earlier was successfully attached tonight to a House bill relating to the deportation of illegal immigrants who have been incarcerated and released from prison.
May 2011
Posted in
State Government
Senate Passes Ban on Puppy Mills
The so-called puppy mill bill is one step closer to becoming law after the Senate tonight approved a less stringent version of the measure that would regulate cat and dog breeders.
Posted in
State Government
Video: The Fight Over Family Planning
Budget negotiators will likely adopt the House’s 2012-13 family planning budget, or something close to it. The House proposed $37 million for family planning funding, while the Senate proposed $99 million.
Posted in
Health care
Dewhurst, Abbott, Nelson Fire Back at Trade Commission
State lawmakers have fired back against a Federal Trade Commission letter suggesting Senate Bill 8 — a key piece of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s health reform push — violates antitrust laws. The measure is expected to come up for a vote in the House on Tuesday.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Files Challenge to EPA “Endangerment Finding”
Acting on behalf of 14 other states, the state of Texas today filed an opening brief in its case seeking to overturn a finding by the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare.
Posted in
Economy
Budget Notes: Ogden, Pitts Plan Weekend Vote
The lead budget writers from the House and Senate answered questions about the budget they’ve agreed upon, admitting they don’t have all of the details yet and saying they could vote on the final plan this coming weekend.
Posted in
Health care
Senate OKs Changes to Newborn Screening Program
State health officials can no longer use infant blood samples for non-approved purposes without parental consent, under a measure Senate lawmakers approved today.
Posted in
Health care
End-of-Life Bills Appear Dead
For the third session in a row, legislation covering end-of-life care in Texas appears, well, dead.
Posted in
Health care
Smoking Ban May Face Uphill Battle in Senate
House lawmakers successfully tacked a statewide smoking ban onto a broad Senate fiscal matters bill last weekend. But whether it will stick in the upper chamber is another question entirely.
Posted in
Health care
Family Planning Programs Face Steep Cuts, Elimination
The state’s family planning budget is getting increasingly thin. Budget conferees appear poised to go with the cheapest possible option for offering minimal family planning services, and a Medicaid program that provides screenings and contraception is circling the drain.