The controversial “sanctuary cities” bill hit a roadblock in the Texas House late Friday when a point of order derailed the legislation and knocked it off the calendar.
May 2011
Posted in
Health care
Kathleen Sebelius: The TT Interview
In an exclusive on-camera interview with The Texas Tribune on Friday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed the federal government’s efforts to cooperate with a state like Texas, where GOP leaders have been hostile to the Affordable Care Act.
Posted in
Higher Education
Update: Legislators Create Higher Ed Oversight Committee
Amid an ongoing, contentious debate about the future of higher education in Texas, Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have created a new Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap, May 2 to May 6
No time to follow all the happenings of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome.
Posted in
State Government
HB 12: The Liveblog
Debate is underway on HB 12, the so-called “sanctuary cities” bill, which would prohibit cities, counties and other governmental entities or special districts from adopting a policy that prevents law enforcement from asking persons lawfully detained or arrested if they are in the country legally.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 6, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Obama to give immigration speech during El Paso visit; House draws line in the sand over budget; Ron Paul nets $1 million from debate moneybomb
Posted in
Higher Education
Consultants Analyze Higher Ed “Breakthrough Solutions”
In recent months, a set of seven “breakthrough solutions” for higher education have been discussed, debated and mulled over in the press, the Legislature, and various academic circles. Arguably lacking in the debate is the voice of a disinterested third party — until now.
Posted in
Economy
House Sets Budget Negotiating Rules
The House is sending its five budget conferees — Reps. Jim Pitts, John Otto, Sylvester Turner, John Zerwas and Myra Crownover — off to negotiate with the Senate, but they want to tie their hands on certain issues, instructing them on what’s acceptable to add, subtract or leave alone when they talk with the other side.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Perry: We Have a Tort Reform Emergency
With the House set to take up a loser-pays bill for the second time tomorrow, Gov. Rick Perry has added an item to his emergency list: tort reform.
Posted in
Economy
Video: Outside Groups, Ads Influence Senate Budget Debate
The Texas Senate passed a budget this week for the next biennium, but only after nearly suffering a meltdown. Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden has blamed some of the drama on the meddling of outside interest groups.