U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized about 1.7 million pounds of narcotics in Texas in fiscal 2012, about 270,000 pounds more than their counterparts in Arizona, New Mexico and California combined.
Feb 1, 2013 5:18 pm
Posted in
Politics
The Evening Brief: Feb. 1, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry calls for more charter schools; Obama administration offers compromise on birth control rule; governor’s call for tax relief sparks confusion
Posted in
Economy
Ethics Commission Declines to Raise Legislators’ Session Pay
There will be no pay raise for legislators this year. The Texas Ethics Commission, at the urging of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus, declined to raise the per diem payments lawmakers get when they’re in session.
Posted in
Economy
Perry’s Call for Tax Relief is Subject of Confusion
The $1.8 billion in tax relief that Gov. Rick Perry called for this week was short on details, but the few that are out there are already sparking questions.
Posted in
Higher Education
Speaking to SBOE, Perry Talks of Need for More Charters
Gov. Rick Perry’s brief remarks at the State Board of Education on Friday echoed his State of the State address, where he called for the creation of more charter schools and the expansion of career and technical courses for high school students.
Posted inState Government
Despite Ruling, Group Vows to Keep Fighting “Puppy Mill” Law
A federal court in Austin has ruled to preserve a new law regulating cat and dog breeders. While animal rights groups are celebrating their victory, the animal owners’ association that challenged the law is pledging to renew its fight.
Posted inState Government
Updated: Straus Offers Details on Transparency Panel
House Speaker Joe Straus says a new Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations will delve into the finances, compensation packages and public-private partnerships across state government
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: A Conversation with Williams and Pitts
Full video of my 1/31 TribLive conversation with state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Texas Ethics Reform: A Long, Tortured History
From Gov. James “Pa” Ferguson’s impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists.
Posted in
Public Education
Proposed Charter School Would Focus on Adults
Goodwill Industries hopes to open a charter school in Central Texas to help adults who lack a high school education. But there is an obstacle: The state only provides funding for students under age 26.