Data enthusiasts may be cringing at proposed federal cuts to data transparency websites, but the Texas Senate passed a bill today that would promote state transparency by requiring agencies to post high-value data sets online.
82nd Legislative Session
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State Government
Dog Breeders Fret That State Lawyer Is a Mole
She’s volunteered at Emancipet, an Austin animal rescue group. Her Facebook page is populated with posts from animal rights groups. And she’s also an attorney for the state’s regulating agency who is helping to draft a bill that dog breeders say is designed to kill their industry.
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State Government
State, Local Government Look to Curb Unfunded Mandates
Lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce the effects of budget cuts on local governments — community colleges, school districts, cities and counties — by easing the unfunded mandates the state imposes on them.
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Criminal Justice
Panel Considers Decriminalizing Homosexual Conduct
A House panel today considered bills that would decriminalize homosexual sex in Texas.
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Economy
Pitts Talks, Gently, of Adding Money to Budget
Less than two days after approving a state budget that cuts $23 billion from current spending, Rep. Jim Pitts says House leaders are already talking among themselves about how much more money they’d be willing to spend.
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State Government
GOP Lawmakers Push New Voter Integrity Bills
Fresh off its voter ID victory last month, the majority party in the House made good on its promise to go beyond that controversial measure to combat what it alleges is serious voter fraud with several new proposals.
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Health care
Senate Leaders: Fix State Revenue Now or Pay Later
Texas need to address its structural deficit during the current session, or it will face even deeper financial problems in two years than it faces today, senate leaders said Tuesday afternoon.
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State Government
Senate Leaders: State Must Address Structural Deficit
Texas needs to address its structural deficit during the current session or it will face even deeper financial problems in two years than it faces today, Senate leaders said Tuesday afternoon.
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State Government
Bill May Boost Bond Rating for Charter Schools
The Senate approved a bill today that would help charter schools borrow money by allowing them to use the state’s Permanent School Fund as a bond guarantee
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State Government
Senate OKs School Guidelines for Food Allergies
A bill that would create a committee of experts, school officials and parents to develop guidelines for schools to use to craft food allergy protocols passed the Senate today.
