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.
May 2011
Posted in
Health care
Budget Cuts Jeopardize Care for Critically Ill Children
Facing an estimated 28 percent reduction in funds to care for medically fragile children, in-home nursing companies say they could be forced to shut their doors, or else dramatically slash what they pay nurses.
Posted in
Public Education
House Finally Kills Class Size Bill
In what may be the Democrats’ first concrete victory of the session, the House at last sent HB 400 to its grave when it failed to take up the controversial education legislation before its midnight deadline.
Posted in
Demographics
Voter Bill Draws Familiar Fight
In keeping with Republican lawmakers’ promises to strengthen state voting laws, the House today tentatively passed a bill that would make it a separate punishable offense for an illegal immigrant or non-citizen to vote or attempt to vote.
Posted in
State Government
K2 Closer to Being Outlawed
Synthetic pot, also known as K2, is one step closer to being outlawed in Texas.
Posted inPublic Education
Interactive: What $830M in Federal Aid Means for Your School District
Since the repeal of the Doggett amendment on the use of federal education stimulus dollars, $830 million has been rolling in to Texas schools. Use our interactive maps to see which districts benefited and which lost out under the money’s new terms.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 12, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Senate committee votes for more Rainy Day money; House passes spanking bill; family planning program at risk
Posted in
Criminal Justice
On the Records: Complaints Lead Valley Paper to Pull Salary Data
In an apology issued Thursday morning, The Monitor announced that, in response to reader complaints, it will remove public school district salary data it posted earlier this week.
Posted in
Public Education
“Spanking” Bill Passes After Being Reconsidered
A controversial bill that would require parental permission before school administrators are allowed to paddle unruly public school children passed the House today after failing on Wednesday.
Posted in
Health care
Women’s Health Program Circling the Drain?
Texas’ Women’s Health Program may be circling the drain. Sen. Bob Deuell says he doesn’t have the votes in the Senate to bring up a bill to renew the family planning and preventative care program — and Rep. Garnet Coleman says his House bill is stuck.