The health reform bill House lawmakers considered today has drawn an unexpected band of supporters: abortion opponents. The measure contains a provision aimed at doing what GOP lawmakers have fought to do all year: restrict funding to Planned Parenthood.
June 2011
Posted in
Demographics
Texas Moves Ahead With Immigration Enforcement Program
Republican lawmakers in Texas, unfazed by state governments across the country opting out of a controversial immigration enforcement program, are instead seeking to expand it here.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: June 8, 2011
Could Rick Perry have just fumbled his still-hypothetical entrance into the presidential race?
Posted in
Health care
Feds May Block Effort to Force Out Planned Parenthood
GOP lawmakers have gone to great lengths to try to force Planned Parenthood out of Texas’ Medicaid Women’s Health Program. The Obama administration may have headed off their plans.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Can the Lege Override a Veto After the Session Ends?
Hey, Texplainer: Can the Lege override the governor’s veto of legislation passed in the regular session — once the regular session is over? The governor says no. But it’s murky. Two expert opinions offer somewhat conflicting views.
Posted in
Energy
LCRA Boss Resigns
The general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority announced his resignation Tuesday, setting off a potential battle over the future of the enormous Central Texas wholesale electricity and water supplier.
Posted in
State Government
For Prayer Event, Perry Teams With Controversial Group
The sponsor paying the tab for Gov. Rick Perry’s just-announced Aug. 6 “Day of Prayer and Fasting” is a controversial anti-gay group whose president told The Texas Tribune on Tuesday that non-Christians will “go to hell” unless they accept Jesus Christ as their savior.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: June 7, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry adds sanctuary cities to special-session agenda; House Democratic leader fined; the politics (or not) of the governor’s prayer event
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Added to Special Session Call
Gov. Rick Perry has added controversial immigration and homeland security measures to the agenda for the special legislative session that began last week.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Updated: Another Methadone Addict Dead in Longview Jail
Officials at the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed today that 30-year-old Micah Aaron Garner died at the Longview lockup on Monday night.