85th Legislative Session Archives - Page 54 of 83

Mike McKim is on the front lines of state alcohol regulators' attempts to ban "crowlers," or tap beer sold at bars in cans. After more than a year and a half of legal battles, the TABC returned his crowler machine on Thursday and he resumed crowler sales on Friday.

Austin bar ends battle with TABC after agency returns crowler machine

By Jackie WangMarch 31, 2017

A local Austin coffee bar has been fighting the TABC since 2015 for the right to sell crowlers, aluminum cans filled with draft beer and sealed with a pull tab lid. Legislators are trying to prevent similar conflicts in the future.

State Government

Thompson and White on CPS, public ed, mass incarceration (video)

By Texas Tribune StaffMarch 31, 2017

Full video of Evan Smith’s 3/31 conversation with state Reps. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and James White, R-Hillister.

Criminal Justice

Bestiality isn’t illegal in Texas. A Houston lawmaker wants to change that.

By Johnathan SilverMarch 31, 2017

Texas is one of eight states that does not have a ban on the books against bestiality.

Immigration

Lawmakers try to add bathroom amendment to Railroad Commission bill

By Justin DehnMarch 31, 2017

In the Texas Political Roundup: Lawmakers attempt to add bathroom and immigration amendments to a Texas Railroad Commission bill, legislators are getting closer to a state budget, and how to interact with police may become required learning for Texas teens.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst signs a stack of bills during a recess in the Senate session on May 22, 2013.

State Government

Analysis: In Texas, principles matter, but exceptions may apply

By Ross RamseyMarch 31, 2017

Things almost never come out of the Texas Legislature — if they come out at all — in the same shape they went in. Principles give way to exceptions and compromise, and the final product can differ greatly from the original idea.

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg refused to step down after her April 2013 drunken driving arrest, and Gov. Rick Perry vetoed funding for the public integrity unit, which is housed in the Travis County DA's office.

Criminal Justice

Years after Rick Perry defunded the Public Integrity Unit, Texas may revive part of it

By Jim MalewitzMarch 30, 2017

Texas lawmakers might revive a special prosecuting unit in Travis County — this one only investigating fraud, not corrupt state officials.

State Rep. Chris Turner, left, on the House floor during a budget debate on March 31, 2015.

State Government

Bills would shine light on potential conflicts of interest

By Jay RootMarch 30, 2017

A House committee on Thursday discussed ethics reforms including measures that would give the public better and more easily accessible information about their elected representatives’ potential conflicts of interest.

State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, looks over the close vote totals on Floor Amendment 10 to SB 3 debated in the Senate on March 30, 2017. The amendment was later pulled down by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham.

Public Education

Texas Senate passes private school choice bill

By Aliyya SwabyMarch 30, 2017

The Senate voted 18-13 Thursday to pass a major private school choice bill, creating two public programs that would subsidize private school tuition.

Bathroom stall at the Austin Convention Center.

Politics

Texas Republicans defend “bathroom bill” as North Carolina tweaks its law

By Alexa UraMarch 30, 2017

As North Carolina lawmakers voted Thursday to revise that state’s “bathroom bill,” Texas Republicans pushing a similar measure said they are not backing away from their proposal.