Amid concerns raised about the rising costs of a college tuition program for military veterans, a Texas Senate panel on Wednesday backed a plan that would tighten eligibility rules.
Brian Birdwell
Posted inState Government
The Brief: March 18, 2015
A bill allowing the carrying of handguns on college and university campuses wasn’t heard on the Senate floor on Tuesday because of a paperwork error. But it is expected to be heard today and will likely pass.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: March 16, 2015
Legislative activity begins to ramp up in the two chambers this week with speculation rampant that the Senate might take up as early as today legislation that would allow permitted gun owners to carry handguns openly.
Posted in
Economy
Tax Relief or Targeted Spending Hikes? Surplus Projections Fuel Debate
With expectations that state lawmakers will have a budget surplus of several billion dollars, lawmakers, activists and business groups are already discussing what to do with the money.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Liveblog: Criminal Justice at The Texas Tribune Festival
We’re liveblogging this weekend from The Texas Tribune Festival’s Criminal Justice track, which includes panels on guilt and innocence, juvenile justice, guns, and a one-on-one conversation with Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Posted in
Public Education
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Waco Lawmakers
At last Friday’s Hot Seat conversation at Baylor University, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and state Reps. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, and Kyle Kacal, R-College Station, talked about public ed, health care and other issues in play in the 83rd session.
Posted in
Health care
Senate Approves Bill on Health Reform Costs
In a mixed-bag swipe at “Obamacare,” the Texas Senate approved a bill today that would require state agencies to report the costs — and savings — of implementing federal health care reform.
Posted in
Higher Education
GOP Lawmakers Target In-State Tuition for Students in Texas Illegally
A bill by state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, seeks to repeal in-state tuition for students who are not living in Texas legally. He says it will make tuition rates fairer, but others argue that the tuition break ultimately benefits the state.
Posted in
Demographics
Guest Column: Mary and Joseph Were “Undocumented”
As a Christian and a lawmaker, biblical stories form something of a lens through which I try to find focus when making public policy decisions — particularly as anti-immigrant bills have gained a disturbing momentum in Austin over the last few weeks.
Posted in
State Government
New Senate District Maps Proposed
Travis County would get two new out-of-town senators, and Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, would be squeezed into a district designed for a Republican, in political maps proposed by Senate Redistricting Chairman Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo.