Immigration Reform Plan Draws Praise, Concerns
Eight U.S. senators unveiled a plan Monday for an overhaul of the country’s immigration system. Reaction in Texas ranged from praise to concerns over the plan’s border-security component. Full Story
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Eight U.S. senators unveiled a plan Monday for an overhaul of the country’s immigration system. Reaction in Texas ranged from praise to concerns over the plan’s border-security component. Full Story
The blocker bill, a tradition of the Texas Senate, gives the minority party power, because it requires that two-thirds of the Senate must agree before a bill is heard on the floor. Full Story
A state audit has revealed that transparency problems at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas extend beyond the improper review of an $11 million commercialization grant that sparked criminal and civil investigations. Full Story
Texas' Republican leadership is adamant that Texas will not expand Medicaid, a major tenet of federal health reform. A report by the state's former deputy comptroller and former chief revenue estimator suggests that would be short-sighted. Full Story
Under Texas law, same-sex parents cannot both appear on an adoptive child's supplemental birth certificate. A bill authored by Rep. Rafael Anchia would change that, but opponents argue the proposal is an "attack on mothers and fathers." Full Story
With the debate over gun rights still raging in Texas and across the nation, the head of one Texas agency, the Railroad Commission, is pushing to provide training for employees so they can carry concealed handguns on the job. Full Story
Politicians love transparency right now — or love to talk about it. But some of their efforts at providing it aren't clear, and some that are clear aren't timely. Some public records just aren't readily available to the public. Full Story
The immigration debate about to descend on Washington has already pushed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz into the spotlight. Full Story
The common practice of lawmakers carrying bills or serving on committees that could directly affect their lives or livelihoods is permitted, so long as their efforts benefit all others in similar circumstances. But it still has vocal critics. Full Story
The SD-6 grudge match between Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Democrat Sylvia Garcia, a former Harris County commissioner, is headed for a runoff. Full Story
The state's Republican leaders each took turns at the microphone on Saturday afternoon to rouse what Gov. Rick Perry called a record crowd at the annual Texas Rally for Life. Full Story
In this edition of the Newsreel: Legislative debate over women's health funding, abortion and Planned Parenthood has started. This week is the 4oth anniversary of the Rove v. Wade ruling. Lawmakers are talking again about guns on campus. Full Story
E. Smith’s interview with David Dewhurst, Batheja reports on a battle over budget arithmetic, Dehn and Rocha pay a visit to Gun Appreciation Day, Hamilton on the legislative implications of a college shooting in Houston, M. Smith on what school districts have to say about guns, Galbraith reports on prospective changes at the Texas Railroad Commission, Murphy and Root examine holes in reports filed by state lawmakers, Ramshaw’s talk with Donna Howard and Sarah Davis about women’s health policy, and Aaronson’s interview with Sarah Weddington on the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade: The best of our best content from Jan. 20 to 25, 2013. Full Story
Your evening reading: Republicans challenge group hoping to turn Texas blue; White House to begin immigration push next week; conservative groups come out against school security bill Full Story
Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on Friday the creation of the Choose Life Advisory Committee, a group that will make recommendations for spending money generated by "Choose Life" license plates. Full Story
Freshman state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, has filed a bill that would allow concealed handgun license holders to carry weapons on college campuses. Full Story
The Innocence Project of Texas told the state Forensic Science Commission on Friday that its investigation of old arson convictions for possible wrongful convictions has raised serious concerns in only a handful of cases. Full Story
Senate and House companion bills filed this session could add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity and expression" to the list of unlawful discriminatory practices in the Texas Labor Code. Full Story
Ashton Oravetz, the former Smith County Republican Party chairman, describes the state and national Republican Party leaders of today as "dysfunctional, unethical, crony capitalists." Full Story
Slightly more than 8,200 voters cast their ballots during the early voting period in the special election to replace the late state Sen. Mario Gallegos. Election day is Saturday in the race, which is likely to head to a runoff. Full Story