Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Economy
TribLive: Williams and Pitts on the Rainy Day Fund
At Thursday morning’s TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about the possibility of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Politics
Straus Makes House Committee Assignments
House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature’s lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills. Here’s his list.
Posted in
Public Education
Senate Hearing Will Target Curriculum System
Educators and conservative activists will air their complaints about CSCOPE, the state’s curriculum delivery system, at a Senate Education Committee hearing on Thursday led by state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.
Posted inState Government
State Senate Finishes Starting
The beginning, at least for the Texas Senate, came to an end this week.
Posted in
State Government
Legislative Notebook — Week 2
Lawmakers are still in the “fixin’ to” stage of the session taking a week off after a week on the job — not unusual in the years when presidents are being inaugurated — but the wheels are turning.
Posted inState Government
Interactive Map: Senate Committees by Districts of Sitting Members
The members of the Texas Senate have been placed in their committees, but where in the state do the committee members come from? Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Senate.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Renew Push to Ban Texting While Driving
At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted in
State Government
Storify: Perry’s State of the State Address
This Storify presentation reveals the instant reactions on social media by legislators, staffers, guests and journalists to Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State address.
Posted in
Energy
Perry Talks Water, Tax Relief in State of the State
In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education.
