Aguilar looks at the potential impact of a border security bill, Hooks on Tesla Motors’ pitch to lawmakers, Grissom on the progress of the “Michael Morton Act,” Hamilton has the latest with the UT System, Murphy updates our voting-age population map, Batheja on a Rainy Day Fund debate in the Senate, E. Smith talks with three senators, M. Smith examines the fate of algebra II in Texas high school standards, Galbraith looks at the drilling industry and lawmakers, and Ramsey writes about a bid to curtail the legal battles over redistricting. The best of our best for the week of April 8-12, 2013.
April 2013
Posted inState Government
Agenda Texas: 2014 Looms for Lawmakers
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: While there’s still plenty of time and bill debates left in the 2013 session, many lawmakers are already looking ahead to the next election cycle.
Posted inState Government
Legislator Suspends Aide Who is Facing Charges
UPDATED: State Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington, said Friday that he has suspended his chief of staff, John Higgins, who was indicted this week on 12 felony charges stemming from allegedly improper travel reimbursements.
Posted in
Politics
The Evening Brief: April 12, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry talks re-election, backs dedicated car sales tax for transportation funding; Stockman bumper sticker stirs controversy; Railroad Commission chairman apologizes for retweeting noose image
Posted in
Economy
Video: Perry Backs Dedicated Car Sales Taxes for Highway Fund
Gov. Rick Perry called on dedicating future growth in the state’s motor vehicle sales taxes to be used to pay for road projects.
Posted in
State Government
Perry Backs Dedicated Car Sales Taxes for Highway Fund
Gov. Rick Perry on Friday said he likes the idea of dedicating a portion of future car sales taxes to road projects and also said he’s open to spending up to $6 billion of the Rainy Day Fund on infrastructure projects.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Perry’s Keynote Address on Transportation
Here’s the full video of Gov. Rick Perry’s keynote address on transportation at The Texas Lyceum’s public conference.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: A Conversation About the Texas Senate
Full video of my 4/11 TribLive conversation with state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.
Posted inState Government
Erica Grieder: The TT Interview
Erica Grieder, a senior editor at Texas Monthly and the author of a new book on the “Texas Model,” on the state’s successes, its critics and whether the model needs any tweaks.
Posted in
Politics
Tackle Redistricting or Wait for the Courts?
Texas could trim the size of its court fights over redistricting by endorsing maps drawn by federal judges, but legislative leaders fear the harmony of the current session would evaporate in the process.