Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has named state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, co-chair of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency — after replacing her in 2013.
August 2014
Posted in
Health care
Judge Strikes Down Texas Abortion Regulation
A federal judge on Friday struck down new requirements for Texas abortion facilities — a decision that could have shuttered all but a few abortion clinics in the state. The standards were set to go into effect Monday.
Posted inState Government
Straus Names Five to Rainy Day Fund Study Committee
Speaker Joe Straus named five representatives to a select committee set up to make recommendations on what constitutes a healthy balance in the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: To Debate or Not to Debate?
UPDATED: A televised statewide debate between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis fell apart on Friday, and another one popped up in its place, raising questions about whether voters will get many chances to compare the two candidates for governor. Does it matter?
Posted in
Transportation
Space Travel Companies Compete for NASA Contract
Four private space travel companies, including two with ties to Texas, are competing for a NASA contract that will have them ferrying astronauts to space “like a taxi.” NASA will announce the winner of the contract in the coming weeks.
Posted in
Politics
Taxpayer Tab Grows for Perry’s Defense
The state tab for Gov. Rick Perry’s criminal defense, previously thought to be $80,000, has hit $133,000. Perry has said he will pay for his lawyers with campaign money from now on.
Posted in
Demographics
On Border, Questions Over National Guard Troops’ Needs
Democrats say media reports that some National Guard troops on the border haven’t been paid and can’t afford basic necessities are infuriating. Republican Gov. Rick Perry’s office says the National Guard is fully equipped to help them.
Posted inState Government
Commissioners OK Betting on Historical Horse Races
UPDATED: The Texas Racing Commission is moving forward with a plan to install machines that simulate historical horseraces at racetracks despite opposition from a Fort Worth lawmaker.
Posted in
Demographics
Video: National Guard Troops on Border Struggling Financially
Some of the Texas National Guard troops deployed by Gov. Rick Perry to help secure the border haven’t been paid and are unable to pay for their own food or gas, according to a report from KGBT Action 4 News in the Rio Grande Valley.
Posted inState Government
Citing Format Issues, Abbott Changes Gears on Debate
UPDATED: On Friday morning, Republican candidate Greg Abbott pulled out of a Sept. 30 gubernatorial debate to be broadcast statewide on television, citing format issues. In the afternoon, his campaign announced he has agreed to another debate for the same date.
