Past Contributions

• Advocates Rally to Retain State Health Funds

  By Aziza Musa March 30, 2011

  Hundreds of people rallied at the Capitol today to urge lawmakers to maintain state spending on Medicaid and CHIP, the health care programs for children, the disabled and the very poor. Full Story 

• Texplainer: Why Is the Capitol's Pink Dome So Shiny?

  By Aziza Musa March 21, 2011

  That's what 1,200 gallons of fresh paint will do for a dome. Full Story 

• Election Contest Committee Sides With Howard

  By Aziza Musa March 15, 2011

  The House Election Contest Committee unanimously voted today to uphold Rep. Will Hartnett's determination that Donna Howard won the long-disputed HD-48 seat. Full Story 

• State Affairs Takes on "Sanctuary Cities"

  By Aziza Musa March 2, 2011

  Tonight, the Texas House took on another of the issues that Gov. Rick Perry has designated an emergency: sanctuary cities, or cities where police do not enforce federal immigration laws. Full Story 

• Former Mayors Offer Advice to Austin

  By Aziza Musa March 1, 2011

  The city of Austin could follow in the footsteps of other major Texas cities if it changed its form of government to single-member districts in time for the next general election, former big-city mayors said Monday night. Full Story 

• Forensic Commissioners Answer to Legislators

  By Aziza Musa Feb. 28, 2011

  The Senate Nominations Committee voted 4-2 today to recommend approval of the state forensic board Chairman John Bradley's appointment. Sens. José Rodríguez and Kirk Watson voted against Bradley's nomination. Full Story 

• Neil Remains Hopeful Despite Long Wait [Updated]

  By Aziza Musa Feb. 23, 2011

  The 82nd legislative session will be about halfway over by the time lawmakers on a specially appointed committee decide whether Republican Dan Neil or incumbent state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, won the disputed HD-48 seat. Full Story 

• Senate Committee Targets Payday Lending

  By Aziza Musa Feb. 22, 2011

  If a set of bills filed by Sens. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, and Royce West, D-Dallas, passes this session, consumers who take out short-term, high-interest loans could be protected from exorbitant interest rate charges. Full Story 

• Advocates Worry TYC Cuts May be Shortsighted

  By Aziza Musa Feb. 22, 2011

  The House and Senate budgets propose a $95.6 million cut in total revenue from the Texas Youth Commission budget in 2012-2013, and lawmakers are eying reductions in parole services, which could lead to fewer staffers and fewer district parole offices. Full Story 

• Religious Leaders Advocate for Ex-Veteran's Clemency

  By Aziza Musa Feb. 16, 2011

  Today, a week before his son is scheduled to die, Columbus Adams and a host of religious leaders asked the state to forgive Timothy Adams. His son, he said, never committed a crime before the day he lost control during an argument with his wife and killed their son. Full Story