After an almost 170-day stint in Austin, it may be closing time for the 82nd Legislature.
June 2011
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M System May Name Jay Kimbrough Interim Chancellor, Sources Say
On Thursday, the Texas A&M University System is set to appoint a deputy chancellor and an interim chancellor. The man for both jobs may be Jay Kimbrough, a former chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry, sources tell the Tribune.
Posted in
Health care
The Final Push: A Special Session Update
Lawmakers must wrap up the special session on Wednesday, with a few outstanding priorities left to tackle. Here’s a rundown of where the Texas Legislature stands going into the second-to-last day of the special session.
Posted inState Government
Rick Perry No Stranger to Controversial Views
Gov. Rick Perry is the first to admit that his views on a host of hot-button political issues — from letting states legalize marijuana and gay marriage to describing Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme” — could cause him heartburn in a race for the White House.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Lawmakers Optimistic About Windstorm Deal
June 27, 2011 State Rep. Larry Taylor of Friendswood explains why he is optimistic about the compromise reached on reforms of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
Posted in
Public Education
Video: Donna Howard on Rainy Day Funding for Schools
An amendment from Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, that would have directed surplus money from the Rainy Day Fund to pay for enrollment growth in public schools perished in conference committee, but came up again in debate before the final vote on a fiscal matters bill to which it was attached.
Posted in
State Government
Windstorm Insurance Deal Ready for Final Vote
State legislators say they’ve reached a compromise on reform of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, potentially averting a second special session this summer.
Posted in
State Government
House TSA Bill Still Alive, Senate Passes Its Own
The Senate passed its version of the TSA “anti-groping” bill tonight. Meanwhile, the House version is still alive — and significantly changed. The House tentatively approved it on a voice vote this afternoon.
Posted in
State Government
Dewhurst: It’s Up to the House to Pass Sanctuary Cities
During the Senate’s afternoon recess, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst offered his thoughts on the special session’s unanswered questions on sanctuary cities legislation, the TWIA compromise and the chances of coming back in July.
Posted in
Health care
Updated: House, Senate Pass Health Reform Bill
House and Senate lawmakers have approved the conference committee report for SB 7, an omnibus health reform bill loaded with amendments, some of them controversial.