State Sen. Kel Seliger, the Amarillo Republican who leads the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, filed a bill Tuesday offering broad changes to student assessment and high school graduation requirements in the state.
83rd Legislative Session
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Health care
TribLive: Howard and Davis on the Women’s Health Program
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, and Donna Howard, D-Austin, talked about whether the new state-run Texas Women’s Health Program will have enough providers without Planned Parenthood.
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State Government
Bill Seeks Study on Effects of Cutting Federal Funds to State
State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, has filed legislation that would require the state to study the effects of cutting financial ties with the federal government. The bill is not intended as a call for secession, White said.
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State Government
Dewhurst Appoints Senate Committees
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst filled out his committee assignments late Friday afternoon, supplementing the chairmanship shuffle he announced late last year.
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Energy
The Polling Center: Lawmakers Fret About Water, but the Public Doesn’t
Water has emerged as the top infrastructure issue before the 83rd Legislature — an issue that appears to be more important to lawmakers than to most of the people they represent.
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Energy
TribLive: A Conversation with Allan Ritter
Full video of my January 17 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
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State Government
Subdued Start for Those at the Head of the Table
The legislative session just started, but it seems clear that state leaders are running low on what a former president from Texas once called “the vision thing.”
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Criminal Justice
Variety of Gun-Related Bills on Table for Session
At least 20 bills have been filed or proposed by Texas lawmakers on the subject of guns, with most of the legislation aiming to widen access to guns. Here’s a roundup of the proposals.
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Energy
TribLive: Ritter on Water as a Local Issue
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, talked about what it will take to make local communities recognize the magnitude of the state’s water crisis.
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Demographics
Bill Targets Companies That Misclassify Workers
A veteran lawmaker has filed legislation that would penalize businesses that misclassify workers as independent contractors. Leaders of construction firms have said their industry is rife with companies that purposely misclassify employees.
