State Sen. Jeff Wentworth charged today that his San Antonio colleague, House speaker Joe Straus, used undue influence last night to strip an amendment allowing concealed handguns on college campuses out of a fiscal matter’s bill.
May 2011
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Van de Putte on the Outside Groups
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, talked about the influence of so-called outside groups on the work of the Legislature.
Posted in
Demographics
TribLive: Three Veteran Democrats on the 82nd Session
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio — about how they and their Democratic colleagues fared this session.
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Demographics
TribLive: Ellis and Van de Putte on Sanctuary Cities
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, explained why controversial sanctuary cities legislation may not make it out of the Texas Senate.
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State Government
TribLive: Turner on Straus
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, critiqued the leadership of GOP Speaker Joe Straus during the 82nd Legislative Session.
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Demographics
VIDEO: Ellis, Turner and Van de Putte at TribLive
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio — about how they and their Democratic colleagues fared this session.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 20, 2011
House and Senate lawmakers struck a major deal on education funding late Thursday that could help avert a special session. But with time running short, they’re still not out of the woods.
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Energy
There’s More Than One Way to Land a Catfish
Hand fishing — that is, sticking your hand down the throat of a fish — is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. But not for long. State lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill to legalize hand fishing, sending it to the governor.
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Politics
Rick Perry’s Un-Campaign for President
Gov. Rick Perry is in a great position in the race for president. His name is in the conversation. He’s in place if there’s a draft, but not at risk of an embarrassing loss. How can you lose a race you’re not running?
Posted in
Public Education
Struggle Over Education Bill Breaks Old Alliances, Creates New Ones
State Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, is a widely liked Republican chairman with a supermajority to back him up. So why has his signature education bill this session, a mandate relief package for school districts, stumbled so badly?