After days of debate, the House finally passed a key fiscal matters bill — Senate Bill 1811 — that raises necessary funds to balance the proposed budget.
May 2011
Posted in
State Government
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: May 16 to May 20, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Root and Galbraith on a Dallas billionaire’s radioactive waste dump victory, Grissom on the passage of eyewitness ID reform, Hamilton on the old grudges bedeviling the debate over higher ed, Philpott on the status of congressional redistricting, Ramsey on Rick Perry’s un-campaign for president, Ramshaw on why medical schools are the scorned children of the state’s education budget, my session-wrap interview with three veteran Democrats, M. Smith on why Rob Eissler can’t pass mandate relief for school districts and Stiles on who’s giving what to which Texas candidates in 2011-12 congressional races: The best of our best content from May 16 to 20, 2011.
Posted in
Health care
Texas House Gives Smoking Ban Early OK
The Texas House tentatively approved a statewide ban on smoking in public places tonight, adding the measure onto another bill that must pass in order to make the two-year state budget balance.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Updated: Forensic Science Commission Bill Revived
A bill that would clarify and expand the jurisdiction of the Forensic Science Commission appeared to have fizzled in the Texas House. But tonight lawmakers revived the bill and voted it out of committee.
Posted in
State Government
Liveblog: The Money Debate
With a deal in the works tonight on the state’s two-year budget — the biggest priority of the legislative session — the House and Senate are debating a crucial school finance measure and another critical bill that raises the money to pay for it.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Legislation Back on Track
Sanctuary cities legislation was revived today and will be sent to the Texas Senate for consideration. A Senate committee reversed course, approving the legislation.
Posted in
Higher Education
Old Grudges, Rivalries Bedevil Higher Education Debate
As the debate over the future of Texas’ higher education continues to swirl, it’s increasingly intertwined in old political rivalries and long-held grudges and resentments.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 20, 2011
Your afternoon reading: budget talks stuck; Wentworth blames Straus for campus carry loss; Forensic Science Commission reform stalls
Posted in
Health care
Feds Warn Health Care Changes Could Harm Consumers
The Federal Trade Commission is warning that one of the key health care reform bills trumpeted by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, could substantially harm consumers.