“It looks as if we have a deal,” Michael Morton said after Wednesday afternoon negotiations with senators and lawyers on a measure that would require prosecutors to turn over evidence to defendants in criminal cases.
April 2013
Posted in
State Government
The Evening Brief: April 10, 2013
Your evening reading: state Senate OKs drug testing for welfare applicants; after deal reached, Cruz still threatening to filibuster gun bill; “anti-groping” bill back in state House
Posted in
Health care
House Panel Debates Changes to State Booklet on Abortion
A House committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill that would remove language in a state booklet distributed to women seeking an abortion that suggests induced abortion can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House Panel Considers Simpson’s TSA “Anti-Groping” Bill
Despite previous threats from the federal government to shut down Texas airports if state lawmakers limit the TSA’s ability to conduct security screenings, Rep. David Simpson is pushing lawmakers to approve a so-called anti-groping bill.
Posted in
TribLive
TribLive: A Conversation with Cigarroa and Sharp
Francisco Cigarroa, chancellor of The University of Texas System, and John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, join Evan Smith, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Texas Tribune, in a conversation about higher education and the future of Texas’ largest two university systems. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on March 28, 2013. TribLives feature moderated discussion with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.
Posted inState Government
TribCast: Budget Fallout, UT Tensions and Drug Testing
Ross, Reeve, Aman and Alana go over what happened when the Texas House debated the budget, wonder what is in store for the University of Texas System, and get an update on bills that require drug testing of welfare applicants.
Posted in
Health care
House Backs Regular Checkups for Foster Kids on Psychotropic Drugs
The Texas House on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that would require medical checkups for foster children who are prescribed psychotropic drugs.
Posted in
State Government
Senators Talk, Without Voting, About Casinos in Texas
The effort to open casinos in Texas got a hearing from a Texas Senate committee Wednesday, but opposition remains strong and charitable groups that benefit from other games of chance have some concerns, too.
Posted in
Economy
Roadblocks Emerge for Transportation Funding
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Passes Measure That Requires Drug Tests for Welfare Applicants
UPDATED: The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits.