The Texas House passed a bill today on malt liquor drinks that contain caffeine, ginseng, taurine or guarana. The bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, import and possessing of alcoholic energy drinks, like the infamous Four Loko.
May 2011
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 13, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry pushing House budget in robocalls, angry senators say; Senate Redistricting Committee votes to split Travis County; conservative ads target East Texas
Posted in
Higher Education
House Passes Outcomes-Based Higher Ed Funding Bill
A bill allowing a chunk of funding for colleges and universities to be dedicated to “outcomes-based” funding passed through the House today and is headed to the Senate.
Posted in
State Government
Senate OKs Forensic Science Commission Bill
The mission and jurisdiction of the ever-controversial Texas Forensic Science Commission would get some clarification under a bil the Senate approved today.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Outnumbered Democrats Struggle
This session, Texas Democrats are a frustrated bunch. From sanctuary cities to the state budget, they have so far lost every battle they’ve waged against the GOP. Texas Politics Project Director Jim Henson analyzes the struggle between the majority and the minority.
Posted inState Government
Ron Paul Announces for President
This morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, formally announced that he plans to run for president in 2012.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 13, 2011
Democrats may have little time to savor their first real win of the session.
Posted in
Higher Education
A Tale of Two Chancellors
At the end of a turbulent week in Texas higher education, the circumstances of the chancellors of the state’s two largest university systems stand in stark contrast.
Posted in
State Government
Lawmaking That Looks Like a Schoolyard Fight
It turns out you can do a lot of damage with nothing more than a rule book, which is hazardous in a place that often runs like a schoolyard: Conduct trumps content.
Posted in
State Government
“Pork Choppers” Soon to Be Open for Business
When state Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, introduced a bill last legislative session to allow licensed hunters to shoot feral hogs from helicopters, Texas lawmakers jokingly passed out “pork chopper” buttons. They’re not laughing anymore.