A fight over what defense lawyers could do with information about their clients in criminal cases after prosecutors turn it over to them is threatening to stymie the “Michael Morton Act.”
April 2013
Posted inState Government
Bill Would Make Pet Adoption Information Private
More than 20,000 animals go through municipal animal shelters in Texas every year, and contact information for their new owners becomes public information. A bill under consideration in the Legislature would change that.
Posted in
State Government
The Brief: April 9, 2013
With the budget fight largely over, attention in the Capitol has moved back to other contentious issues, like school choice and gambling.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Cornyn, McCaul to Introduce Border Security Measure
UPDATED: As a bipartisan group of senators purportedly moves closer to introducing a bill to overhaul the country’s immigration system, two Texas Republicans said they would file legislation to first ensure the border is secure.
Posted inState Government
Editorial: Spend Oil Spill Fine Money Wisely
An editorial in the Houston Chronicle recommends strong oversight of the state’s expected share of fines it will soon receive from BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The state could reap as much as $1 billion.
Posted inState Government
Changes Proposed to Water Development Board
A state senator has proposed replacing the Texas Water Development Board’s six part-time members with full-time commissioners in light of new water projects under consideration in the Legislature.
Posted inState Government
Legislators Consider Tapping Brackish Water in West Texas
A bill introduced by state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, to study seawater desalination has been altered to include inland sources such as West Texas brackish water.
Posted inState Government
EPA Study: More Than Half of Nation’s Waterways Strained
A new study from the Environmental Protection Agency has found that more than half the country’s river and stream miles are unable to adequately support aquatic life.
Posted inState Government
Event: Stream Restoration Conference
The Southwest Stream Restoration Conference, which will feature workshops and presentations on stream and watershed management in the Southwest, will be held in San Antonio from May 28 to May 30.
Posted in
Higher Education
Seliger: Perry Should Address UT System Tensions
Amid mounting tensions between the University of Texas System and the Legislature, Senate Higher Education Chairman Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, is calling for Gov. Rick Perry to step in and calm the waters.