The House and Senate made big progress on budget negotiations Monday, but maybe not enough to avoid a special session.
May 2011
Posted in
State Government
Senators Work to Narrow “Puppy Mill” Bill
A controversial bill meant to shut down puppy mills has drawn another opponent in state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. “I’m a barking ‘no,'” Patrick said during a recent public hearing.
Posted in
Energy
Dallas Billionaire Nears Nuclear Waste Dump Win
Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons could get a little richer if state lawmakers hand him what he wants today: a bill expanding the right of his company to accept low-level radioactive waste from several states — and the power to set the rates it charges them.
Posted in
Economy
Conference Panel Approves Most of Budget
House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on everything in the state budget except for public and higher education and a section of general provisions that can be used later to make sure the numbers in the budget balance.
Posted in
State Government
House Adopts Voter ID Conference Report
House Democrats put up one final fight against the voter ID bill but begrudgingly saw it move one step closer to the governor’s desk today.
Posted in
State Government
School Districts Nearing Own Budget Deadlines
Public school budget cuts are coming, but for now, school districts still don’t know by how much. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, a special session on education funding could push decisions past school district deadlines.
Posted inState Government
How Will Ron Paul Fare in 2012?
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has kicked off another presidential campaign, his second attempt at the GOP nomination. Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports on how the libertarian rabble-rouser, whose views often put him at odds with mainstream Republicans, may do in 2012.
Posted in
Public Education
Update: What $7.8 Billion Less Looks Like for Your District
A new version of Rep. Scott Hochberg’s school finance plan limits the total reductions in state funding for any individual district to 10 percent in 2012. Check our searchable database to see what the cuts will look for your district.
Posted in
Health care
House Passes Bill on Indigent Health Care for Legal Immigrants
A contentious measure that would allow Texas counties to consider the income of a legal immigrant’s sponsor when determining if the immigrant is eligible for indigent health care passed the state House today.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 16, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Senate approves bigger Rainy Day withdrawal; statewide smoking ban could live on; College Democrats warn Republicans