At this morning’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, downplayed the potential negative political consequences of cutting public education.
82nd Legislative Session
Posted in
Demographics
AUDIO: Crownover, Taylor and Williams at TribLive
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Lake Dallas, state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands — about how they and their Republican colleagues fared this session.
Posted in
Demographics
Video: Crownover, Taylor and Williams at TribLive
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Lake Dallas, state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands — about how they and their Republican colleagues fared this session.
Posted in
Higher Education
Budget Deal Preserves Much, but Not All, of TEXAS Grants
A proposal adopted by the Legislature’s budget conference committee Thursday would provide funding for TEXAS Grants for about 33,100 incoming freshmen — far less than the number of eligible students but better than what the House originally proposed.
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State Government
Dan Patrick for U.S. Senate? Stay Tuned, He Says
State Sen. Dan Patrick, a radio talk show host who has been courting Tea Party activists, is promising to tell reporters Friday whether or not he will try to make a jump to the U.S Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
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State Government
Video: Thompson “Disgusted” by Flyers
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, gave an impassioned personal privilege speech on the floor of the Texas House this afternoon in response to graphic flyers passed out in the House chamber about an insurance bill, HB 2093. The women in the chamber stood up with Thompson. “We have not earned this kind of disrespect!” she said. Afterward, state Rep. Debbie Riddle accused some of the men in the chamber of having pornography on the House floor. (Video courtesy legetv.org)
Posted in
Health care
Smoking Ban Officially Snuffed?
Hope for a smoke-free Texas seems officially snuffed. State Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, said today that a statewide smoking ban would not live on as an amendment to Senate Bill 1811.
Posted in
State Government
House Women Outraged by “Despicable” Flyers
The lower chamber erupted into a gender war of sorts Thursday afternoon, with Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, accusing a special interest group of sexism, and Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, suggesting some lawmakers have pornography on the House floor.
Posted in
State Government
House Sends Animal Cruelty Registry Bill to Conference
The debate over whether to set up an animal cruelty registry continues. In a close vote, 63 to 78, the House sent HB 1103 to conference.
Posted in
State Government
Payday Lending Bill Moves to Governor
Payday lending could soon become much more transparent for borrowers looking for a quick money fix. The House concurred with the Senate version of a bill today that would require payday lenders to disclose interest rates and fees associated with the loans. The bill now moves to the governor for final approval.
