Despite strong resistance inside and outside the Legislature, groups representing gambling interests hope that a collaborative approach can help them make a breakthrough this legislative session.
Audrey White
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Health care
Medicaid Fraud Recovery Tops $1 Billion
The Texas attorney general’s office is touting a new state record — $1 billion in Medicaid fraud recoveries over the last decade.
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Energy
Bills Aim to Stop Diverting Funds Meant for State Parks
Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks.
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State Government
Lawmakers to Again Take Aim at Predatory Lending
The Legislature will have another go at fighting the practices of some payday lenders and auto-title loan businesses, which critics say often prey on vulnerable Texans.
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State Government
Seven State Parks Could Close Under Proposed Budget
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would close seven state parks based on current budget proposals in the House and Senate.
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Energy
Amid Drought, Water Wars Pick Up on Borders
As Texas’ drought wears into its third year, the state is locked in a legal conflict over water with New Mexico, and a North Texas county is suing the state of Oklahoma to get access to a vast amount of water.
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State Government
Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session
Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared.
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Criminal Justice
New Divorce Forms Make Breakups Cheaper, Easier, but Stoke Controversy
A Texas Supreme Court decision approving standardized divorce forms will give poor people easier access to divorce than ever before. But opponents of the forms worry that without a lawyer’s help, the process could go wrong.
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State Government
New Caucus Seeks to Work for Younger Texans
Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, is leading an effort to create the Texas Young Legislators Caucus, a bipartisan group that plans to focus on issues that affect Texans under 40 and hopes to engage young people in the legislative process.
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Energy
Oncor Approves $17 Million Payment to Chief Executive
The board of the Dallas-based utility company Oncor recently authorized a $17 million payment to its chairman and chief executive, Robert Shapard, according to an SEC filing on Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving.
