Updated: A revised version of Rep. Rob Eissler’s class size bill, which expands the Texas Education Agency’s authority to grant waivers, quickly clears the House.
June 2011
Posted in
Economy
Updated: Fiscal Conservatives Frustrated With House Votes
Rep. Donna Howard’s proposal to direct surplus Rainy Day Fund money to Texas schools for enrollment growth survived to fight another day during debate on the House floor this morning, but not before a Republican attempt to derail it.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: “Pansexual” Amendment Debate
While you were sleeping last night, lawmakers in the Texas House were engaged in a passionate debate over “pansexual” politics that nearly killed the entire fiscal matters bill, which is pretty much the main reason they’re having a special session. Trust us — this is must-see video.
Posted in
State Government
Video: What Lege Sessions Cost Taxpayers and Lawmakers
We break down the cost to taxpayers of the regular and special sessions. It’s not chump change, but one political science expert argues the relatively low pay for lawmakers keeps many Texans from being able to run for higher office.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: June 10, 2011
The implosion of Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign on Thursday unleashed some of the loudest — and hardest-to-ignore — Perry-for-president rumor-mongering yet.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Inmate at the Nexus of Execution and Abuse
A small church in an impoverished south side San Antonio neighborhood became a place of fear and shame for children who allege they were victims in the 1980s of sexual abuse by a prominent priest. One of those alleged victims is death row inmate Humberto Leal.
Posted in
Health care
While Perry Rejects Federal Reform, State Agency Quietly Presses On
Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s vehement opposition to federal health reform, the state has accepted a $1 million federal grant to plan for a key element of it: a Travelocity-like state insurance marketplace.
Posted in
Energy
This Session, Water Policy Rode on One Word
With the Big Dry upon us, the fight over the water percolating under the surface in Texas’ underground aquifers was bound to get contentious before the end of the legislative session. And it did, at least for a while, because of one modifier.
Posted in
Economy
After 16 Hours of Debate, House Tentatively Passes Key Fiscal Matters Bill
Lengthy debate on a key budget bill featured many retreads of contentious topics from the regular session — but it was Rep. Wayne Christian’s revival of his famous “pansexual” amendment around midnight that almost killed the whole thing.
Posted in
Health care
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: June 6 to June 10, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.