State Sen. Dan Patrick, a radio talk show host who has been courting Tea Party activists, is promising to tell reporters Friday whether or not he will try to make a jump to the U.S Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
May 2011
Posted in
State Government
Video: Thompson “Disgusted” by Flyers
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, gave an impassioned personal privilege speech on the floor of the Texas House this afternoon in response to graphic flyers passed out in the House chamber about an insurance bill, HB 2093. The women in the chamber stood up with Thompson. “We have not earned this kind of disrespect!” she said. Afterward, state Rep. Debbie Riddle accused some of the men in the chamber of having pornography on the House floor. (Video courtesy legetv.org)
Posted inState Government
Hispanic House Republicans Endorse Perry for President
Rick Perry has said he’s not running for president, but state Rep. Aaron Peña, chairman of the Hispanic Republican Conference, hopes his group’s support might change the governor’s mind.
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Health care
Smoking Ban Officially Snuffed?
Hope for a smoke-free Texas seems officially snuffed. State Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, said today that a statewide smoking ban would not live on as an amendment to Senate Bill 1811.
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State Government
House Women Outraged by “Despicable” Flyers
The lower chamber erupted into a gender war of sorts Thursday afternoon, with Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, accusing a special interest group of sexism, and Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, suggesting some lawmakers have pornography on the House floor.
Posted in
Higher Education
Updated: “Seven Solutions” Are “Distraction,” A&M Regents Chairman Says
At a meeting of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, chairman Richard Box appeared to shrug off a controversial set of “breakthrough solutions” for higher education, saying it is time to “move on.”
Posted inPublic Education
Interactive: What $4 Billion Less Could Mean for Your School District
As the Texas House and Senate haggle behind closed doors over a school finance plan we’ve updated our searchable database to include the latest proposals distributing the $4 billion in state funding cuts.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 26, 2011
Your afternoon reading: radio host says Perry’s running for president; Democrats predict strong showing in U.S. Senate race; budget negotiators pass $15 billion in cuts
Posted in
Health care
Women’s Health Program Still Stands, but Questions Linger
The Women’s Health Program — long believed to require legislative renewal — lives on, at least for now, in the form of a budget rider.
Posted in
State Government
House Sends Animal Cruelty Registry Bill to Conference
The debate over whether to set up an animal cruelty registry continues. In a close vote, 63 to 78, the House sent HB 1103 to conference.