Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the Department of Family and Protective Services from making a finding of “abuse” or “neglect” against a parent who surrenders parental rights to get a child mental health care.
84th Legislative Session
Posted in
Politics
Pre-K Bill Faces Last Hurdle in Senate Vote
After surviving Tea Party-backed opposition in the House, the early education bill that Gov. Greg Abbott has called his top priority this session could face its final test in the Texas Senate as early as Thursday.
Posted in
State Government
Court Ruling Could Undermine Major Taxes
A tax case started by a chain of movie theaters could cut billions from the state’s franchise tax, and could affect the sales tax, too, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Wednesday. The 3rd Court of Appeals ruled against the state late last week.
Posted in
Economy
House Rejects Tax Break for Pricey Boats
Lawmakers have soundly rejected a bill to cap the state sales tax on certain boat purchases worth more than $250,000. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, said his measure was about helping the struggling recreational marine industry.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Who is That Behind the Curtain?
The unfolding story about surreptitious taping of officeholders at the Texas Capitol is going to end predictably: You’ll know who did the filming — but not who paid for it.
Posted in
Politics
Campus Carry May Get New Life in Senate
A languishing measure requiring public universities and colleges to allow concealed handguns on campus may gain a fast track to passage under a plan to attach it as an amendment to another gun bill.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
A Smorgasbord of Disclosure, Online for the First Time
A state lawmaker is pushing to make all financial disclosure statements filed with the Texas Ethics Commission available online so the public can easily find them. In that spirit, the Tribune presents the disclosures filed by scores of state agency heads, regents and others that you can’t get online now.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: For Legislators, an Extra Incentive to Finish State Budget
If state budget writers can’t get a deal on the budget during the regular session, they’ll have to come back to finish. And with the state economy slowing down, going into overtime could mean less money for tax breaks and state programs.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: A Fierce War Not Meant to Turn Violent
The sharper the speech — the harder it pokes at something dear to someone else — the greater the chance of a strong reaction.
Posted in
State Government
Rural Critics Organize to Stop Private Bullet Train
Dallas and Houston leaders may want a super-fast train connecting their cities, but folks in between aren’t as sold on the idea. Some have formed Texans Against High-Speed Rail, and they’re hiring lobbyists and courting allies in a bid to kill the plan.