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The Brief: Texas alcohol regulators could lose funding for out-of-state travel

Among the 400-plus amendments filed to the House's proposed state budget, two legislators filed amendments that would cut off future out-of-state travel by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

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Jet-setting liquor regulators could see wings clipped by lawmakers
All the jet-setting and partying by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, as depicted in an internal flier the agency produced, would come to a screeching halt under budgetary amendments filed Tuesday by state Reps. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth. 

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Texas House members approved a bill that would gives the Texas Department of Insurance more power to enforce how health insurance plans offer mental health and substance abuse benefits.

What you need to know

Among the 400-plus amendments filed to the House's proposed state budget, two legislators filed amendments that would cut off future out-of-state travel by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission after reading about the agency's spending tendencies in The Texas Tribune. Here's what you need to know

  • TABC spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars since the 2011 fiscal year attending liquor industry conferences with open bars, mariachis and square dancers. The commission spent at least $8,000 for a San Diego trip in 2015 and more than $10,000 for a Hawaii conference in 2013. 
  • State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, and Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth, want to shut the party down. Isaac filed an amendment that would prohibit liquor regulators from spending money in the next biennium on "travel outside the state, other than for bonafide and documented law enforcement or investigative activities." Romero's amendment would place a ban on any travel outside state borders by the commission.  
  • The House is considering the budget on the chamber floor Thursday. Watch it live on our livestreaming page, and follow Texas Tribune reporters Jim Malewitz and Edgar Walters.

Other stories we're watching today:

  • Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, is due in federal court in Houston at 2 p.m. to be arraigned on conspiracy charges. His lawyers say he will plead not guilty in the case, which alleges he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from charities, some of which they used to finance his campaigns and pay for personal expenses. 

What we're reading

(Links below lead to outside websites; paywall content noted with $) 

Court: Civil Rights law prohibits discrimination of LGBTAP

Texas inmate wins Orthodox Jews the right to kosher meals in prisonFort Worth Star-Telegram

The interview: Joaquin Castro says Texas Democrats are poised for a comeback, Texas Observer 

Texas lawmakers launch effort to repair special education woes, Houston Chronicle ($)

S.A. pastor John Hagee meets with President Trump to discuss international affairs, San Antonio Express-News ($)

Will the masturbation bill get a House committee hearing?, Austin American-Statesman ($)

For your calendar

On April 10, join us for lunch and a conversation with state Sen. Kirk Watson and state Reps. Gina Hinojosa and Donna Howard

Photo of the day

Rosa Ortega is hugged by her daughter Gracie Garza, 12. Son Rene Garza, 16, stands next to them. Photo by Cooper Neill for the Washington Post. See more photos on our Instagram account

Quote to note

"Justice delayed, when it comes to our constitutional rights, is justice denied. History requires that we dismiss with extreme prejudice any suggestion that we, folks whose fundamental rights have been violated time and time again, wait before we receive justice."

— State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, on congressional redistricting, via TribTalk

The Brief is written and compiled by your morning news baristas, Bobby Blanchard and Cassi Pollock. Patrick Svitek contributed to this edition. If you have feedback or questions, please email thebrief@texastribune.org. As a nonprofit newsroom, we count on readers like you to help power newsletters like this. Did you like what you read today? Show your appreciation by becoming a member or making a donation today.

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