Your afternoon reading: vulnerable GOP congressional seats, and Michael Williams makes it official
The Midday Brief: Jan 27, 2011
TribBlog: Michael Williams’ Liveblog
Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams joined The Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith for a TribLive event this morning in Austin. Williams made it official that he’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2012.
The Brief: Jan. 27, 2011
Months from now, you may be hard-pressed to even remember voter ID.
Mental Notes on Budget Cuts
For community mental health and retardation centers like Round Rock’s Bluebonnet Trails, cuts in the state budget will have a direct effect on the number of people they serve — and help keep in school or employed and out of state hospitals and emergency rooms. For KUT News and The Texas Tribune, Ben Philpott reports.
Controversial? Just Wait
The voter ID legislation passed by the Texas Senate on Wednesday night may be controversial, but it’s a familiar debate, as is the issue of “sanctuary cities.” Less well known but no less controversial are many of the provisions found in more than three dozen immigration-related bills filed so far. Some Hispanic Republicans in the Texas House say they are not going to support bills they believe are too extreme.
Texplainer: How Do You Get Tea Party Approved?
Last week, freshman state Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, had her “TeaApproved” status revoked by the North Texas Tea Party following her vote in favor of re-electing Speaker Joe Straus. How did she get “TeaApproved” in the first place?
Mental Notes on the Budget
For mental health and retardation centers like Round Rock’s Bluebonnet Trails, state budget cuts will have a direct effect on the number of people they serve — and help keep in school or employed and out of state hospitals and emergency rooms. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
John Zerwas: The TT Interview
The state representative and anesthesiologist from Simonton on why he filed the House’s first bill to implement a key piece of federal health-care reform and was the first in his party to openly suggest that dropping out of Medicaid wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Voter ID Passes: The Highlights
Watch our abbreviated version of the daylong Senate debate, the dismissal of three dozen amendments and the ultimate passage of Senate Bill 14, a.k.a. the voter ID bill. The measure’s now headed to the House.
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 64
In this week’s podcast, the group discusses voter ID, the budget shortfall’s impact on mental health services and the 2012 Senate race — and Elise says farewell.



