Don’t stub out the statewide smoking ban bill yet. The bill’s House and Senate authors say they’ve got a vehicle for the measure to be passed, and they’re still hopeful Texas will be the first southern state to outlaw the habit in restaurants, bars and most public places.
May 2011
Posted in
Economy
Senate Votes $4 Billion From Rainy Day Fund for Deficit
The Texas Senate approved a $3.97 billion draw on the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover a deficit of the same size in the current budget, but not before rejecting efforts to add on a larger amount to help balance the 2012-13 budget.
Posted in
Politics
On the Records: Fundraising Outside Texas
Candidates in next year’s U.S. House and Senate elections in Texas raised more than $5 million in the first quarter from individuals. Most live in Texas. But a significant portion came from outside the Lone Star State, according to the Federal Election Commission. California led the way, followed by Virginia, Washington, D.C. and New York.
Posted in
State Government
College Dems Warn Republicans of Budget Backlash
Republicans should beware of the backlash cuts to higher education could bring, members of the Texas College Democrats said at a press conference today.
Posted in
Demographics
Audio: Todd Staples at TribLive
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples about the impact of drug-fueled violence on border farmers and ranchers, what he thinks about the Senate’s two-thirds rule, his nascent campaign for lieutenant governor in 2014 and more.
Posted in
Demographics
TribLive: Staples on Border Violence, the 2/3 Rule and More
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples about the impact of drug-fueled violence on border farmers and ranchers, what he thinks about the Senate’s two-thirds rule, his run for lieutenant governor in 2014 and more.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Staples on Dewhurst
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I asked Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples to assess the tenure of the man he hopes to succeed as lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst.
Posted in
Demographics
Video: Todd Staples at TribLive
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples about the impact of drug-fueled violence on border farmers and ranchers, what he thinks about the Senate’s two-thirds rule, his nascent campaign for lieutenant governor in 2014 and more.
Posted in
Demographics
TribLive: Staples on Border Violence
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples about the impact of drug-fueled violence on border farmers and ranchers — and the web site he maintains to collect tales of the war in progress.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Staples on the Two-Thirds Rule and More
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples about the Senate’s two-thirds rule, the Rainy Day Fund, abortion sonograms and other issues that he’d confront as lieutenant governor.