State Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, died Tuesday, but his name will still appear on the November ballot. What happens to his seat — and how soon his district will have representation in the Senate — is in the hands of Gov. Rick Perry.
Maurice Chammah
Posted in
State Government
Some Inmates Forego Health Care to Avoid Fees
When lawmakers decided to charge inmates $100 a year for medical treatments, they expected it to help plug holes in the prison budget. But critics of the new policy say the result is less health care for sick inmates.
Posted inState Government
Video: Faircloth Focuses on Job Growth in New Ad
In a new ad, Republican Wayne Faircloth, who is challenging state Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, in House District 23, says his career as a small-business owner has prepared him to work on balancing the state budget and create jobs.
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Public Education
PAC Uses Football to Target Voucher Proposals
In a video that ponders potential threats to the viability of high school football, Progress Texas PAC urges Texans to fight plans to institute school voucher programs.
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State Government
Mental Health of Veterans is Focus of House Panel’s Hearing
Amid a recent increase in suicides among military veterans, Texas lawmakers are looking at ways to address mental health challenges for veterans as they return home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Public Education
In Pilot Program, Student IDs Track the Students
A San Antonio district has implemented a pilot program to track students while on campus, having them wear radio frequency identification chips on cards around their neck. Administrators say it’s the best way to make sure they get all the state money they’re entitled to.
Posted inState Government
In November Election, No Exit Polls for Texas
With the price of exit surveys on the rise, election pollsters are curbing costs by canceling exit polls in 19 states — and non-swing-state Texas didn’t make the cut.
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Criminal Justice
“Innocence Commission” Bill Poised to Return but Faces Uphill Climb
State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon plans to revive her efforts to create an “innocence commission” to look into old cases of wrongful convictions. But she acknowledges that the legislation faces a difficult challenge.
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State Government
Inmate’s Case Highlights Medical Parole Issues
Advocates for inmate Donald Rash, who suffers numerous medical problems, argue that he should be granted parole. They say the state is wasting millions caring for infirm and elderly inmates who no longer pose a threat to society.
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State Government
Inmate Lawsuit Over Kosher Food to Get Appeals Court Hearing
Jewish prison inmate Max Moussazadeh is demanding that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice serve him kosher food. On Monday, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear his case.
