Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s vehement opposition to federal health reform, the state has accepted a $1 million federal grant to plan for a key element of it: a Travelocity-like state insurance marketplace.
82nd Legislative Session
Posted in
Economy
After 16 Hours of Debate, House Tentatively Passes Key Fiscal Matters Bill
Lengthy debate on a key budget bill featured many retreads of contentious topics from the regular session — but it was Rep. Wayne Christian’s revival of his famous “pansexual” amendment around midnight that almost killed the whole thing.
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Health care
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: June 6 to June 10, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
Posted in
State Government
Sanctuary Cities Causes Rift Between Perry, Some GOP Leaders
A series of email exchanges between Republican Party boosters and the office of Gov. Rick Perry indicate some conservatives believe passing the contentious “sanctuary cities” bill may cripple efforts to recruit more Hispanics to their ranks.
Posted in
Public Education
Amid School Finance Scuffle, Pre-K Measure Makes a Return
Expect the Texas House to revisit old battles over school finance — and open a new one, for the lower chamber at least, over pre-kindergarten accountability — when it takes up Senate Bill 1 today on the floor.
Posted in
Health care
Second Life: Bill Becomes Festooned Health Care Christmas Tree
In hours of debate this afternoon, House lawmakers used an omnibus health care bill as their last-ditch effort to get other medical measures that failed during the regular session passed during the special session.
Posted in
Demographics
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 83
In this week’s TribCast, Evan, Reeve, Ben and Emily harp on health care, speculate about the special session and respond to The Reponse.
Posted in
Demographics
Texas Moves Ahead With Immigration Enforcement Program
Republican lawmakers in Texas, unfazed by state governments across the country opting out of a controversial immigration enforcement program, are instead seeking to expand it here.
Posted in
Health care
Feds May Block Effort to Force Out Planned Parenthood
GOP lawmakers have gone to great lengths to try to force Planned Parenthood out of Texas’ Medicaid Women’s Health Program. The Obama administration may have headed off their plans.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Can the Lege Override a Veto After the Session Ends?
Hey, Texplainer: Can the Lege override the governor’s veto of legislation passed in the regular session — once the regular session is over? The governor says no. But it’s murky. Two expert opinions offer somewhat conflicting views.
