Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Justice Nathan Hecht sent lawmakers a letter Wednesday urging them to find $20 million during the special session to help needy people access civil courts.
June 2011
Posted in
Health care
Health Bills in Legislative Committees, Again
The Senate Finance Committee — for the second time — has passed out measures designed to make Medicaid more efficient and effective, and to open the door for medical professions and institutions to collaborate.
Posted in
Higher Education
A Second Chance for Campus Construction Projects?
Early in the session, there was much talk about how the time was right to invest in new university campus facilities. But a bill to issue bonds to get projects off the ground never managed to do so itself. Could it get another chance in the special session?
Posted in
Demographics
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
Posted inState Government
The Brief: June 2, 2011
Hypothetically speaking, of course, what does a special session mean for Rick Perry’s presidential hopes?
Posted in
Demographics
Special Session, Court Decision Could Give E-Verify New Life
A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last week upholding an Arizona law that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants may give Texas lawmakers some newfound momentum to file immigration-related legislation.
Posted in
Public Education
How School Finance Legislation Unraveled — and Might Again
In the end, a late-night filibuster in the Senate killed school finance for the regular session. But SB 1581’s earlier crash-and-burn in the House is an odyssey worth revisiting as lawmakers take up the issue in their special session.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 82
In this week’s episode, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the end of the regular session, the start of the special session, and what it all means for Sen. Wendy Davis, Gov. Rick Perry and others.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: June 1, 2011
Your afternoon reading: veto override eyed for Amazon bill; health care dominating special session legislation; bill targeting abortion-inducing drug filed
Posted in
Health care
A Health-ful Special Session
With health care front and center in Gov. Rick Perry’s special session call, lawmakers have already filed several key bills addressing multiple issues, from state efforts to seize control of Medicaid and Medicare to abortion.