At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples talked about his plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2014 — and offered his assessment of the other likely candidates in the race, Comptroller Susan Combs and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
May 2011
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Texas Senate Redistricting Maps
State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, unveiled his proposed Senate redistricting maps this week and opened hearings on them on Thursday with a vote possible Friday. Use our interactive maps to see the proposed changes and who would be affected.
Posted in
Energy
Senate Discusses Fracking Disclosure Bill
A Senate committee heard testimony this morning from Halliburton and others on a bill that would require drilling companies to disclose the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. The bill has been left pending until the House takes a final vote on its version.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT Regents Unanimously Support Chancellor’s Vision
At a meeting of the University of Texas System Board of Regents in Austin Thursday, UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa won unanimous support after laying out his “framework for advancing excellence throughout the university system.”
Posted in
Public Education
What Happens if There’s No School Finance Bill?
Nobody wanted to think about it in January. But as the middle of May approaches, with little more than two weeks left in the 82nd legislative session, a growing chorus of voices is asking: What happens if lawmakers can’t agree on school finance reform?
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 12, 2011
A Senate slice-and-dice unveiled Wednesday by Republicans has big changes in store for Austin, Fort Worth and San Antonio — and Democrats aren’t pleased.
Posted in
Energy
Fracking Bill Could Set National Standard
The House appears set to pass a bill that would compel companies to disclose substances they use in fracking, a process used to harvest natural gas. As Mose Buchele of KUT News reports, the bill could bring Texas a step closer to determining fracking’s environmental impact.
Posted in
Energy
Lawmakers’ Actions Will Raise Utility Rates, Consumer Groups Say
Several bills working their way through the legislative process are likely to send Texans’ utility bills up, consumer advocates say. But legislation that would make it easier for ratepayers to decide how to choose their electricity provider appears to be stalled.
Posted in
Higher Education
Was McKinney’s Departure From A&M System Voluntary?
Multiple higher education sources with knowledge of the events that transpired before the Texas A&M chancellor’s surprise “retirement” announcement on Tuesday say that members of the system’s board of regents told him it was time for a change.
Posted in
Higher Education
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 79
In this week’s episode of the TribCast, Evan, Reeve, Julian and Ben discuss the meltdown in the House, the debate over sanctuary cities, and the latest in higher education.