As the fertilizer plant explosion in West continues to elicit debate about regulation, one factor that hasn’t been discussed as much is the unique needs of the soil in Central Texas.
Chris Hooks
Posted in
Energy
After West Explosion, Other Chemical Stockpiles Come Under Scrutiny
As state and federal regulators analyze the patchwork of policies governing the fertilizer plant that exploded in West, the incident has prompted a closer look at communities that lie near stockpiles of chemicals.
Posted in
Public Education
School Breakfast Bill Passes House
Gov. Rick Perry will soon receive a bill the House approved Thursday that will provide a free breakfast to all children at Texas’ poorest schools.
Posted inState Government
Villarreal Urges Action on Payday Lending
Payday lenders could see the expansion of local lending regulations across the state, lawmakers warned at a press conference on Wednesday, if a bill that would that would create statewide regulations fails.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
At NRA Convention, Cruz and Perry Blast Gun Control Efforts
Members of the National Rifle Association gathered in Houston on Friday at their annual convention to listen to a wide array of national figures — but it was Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz who got the warmest welcomes.
Posted inState Government
Outlook Uncertain for Payday Loan Regulation
Consumer advocates and payday lending industry representatives thought 2013 would be the year for a politically viable solution to regulating short-term-lending institutions. The hoped-for solution, though, seems to be in legislative trouble.
Posted in
Public Education
A Push to Ensure Free Breakfast for the State’s Poorest Students
A bill by state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, could result in as many as 731,000 additional low-income children in Texas receiving free breakfasts through their schools.
Posted in
Politics
Disclosure Bill Clears House Committee
Politically active nonprofits would be required to disclose their donors under a bill that passed handily out of a House committee Wednesday.
Posted in
State Government
House Committee Gives Tesla Motors a Chance
UPDATED: A bill that would allow Tesla Motors to circumvent the state’s franchise dealer system and sell cars directly to Texans is advancing to the full House.
Posted in
State Government
Doctored Payday Lending Bill Passes Senate
UPDATED: A heavily amended bill to regulate short-term lenders passed the Texas Senate on Monday night, but it faces an uphill battle in the House.
