An Austin judge ruled this week that the Texas Department of Public Safety overstepped its authority when it enacted tougher requirements for immigrants trying to obtain driver’s licenses, giving immigrants’ rights groups and some business leaders a glimmer of hope.
Department of Public Safety
Posted in
State Government
DPS Now Says Key Perry Travel Records Preserved
The Texas Department of Public Safety said Monday it had preserved certain travel records associated with the cost of providing security to Gov. Rick Perry before 2008, contrary to information it provided on Friday.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
DPS Can’t Reveal Cost to Protect Perry, Purges Records
State officials said Friday they can’t reveal how much money taxpayers are spending to protect Gov. Rick Perry — and that records of security costs compiled before 2008 have been “purged.”
Posted inState Government
Fire the Police? Some Cities Consider Novel Ways to Save Money
The tiny East Texas town of Alto recently made headlines when it furloughed its five-man police department. But Alto is hardly the only Texas city struggling to fund public safety in a tough economy.
Posted in
Demographics
I.D. Overreach?
The idea was to rein in the amount of unauthorized immigrants with IDs or driver’s licenses. But steps lawmakers took in that direction have some concerned they cast too wide a net.
Posted in
Demographics
Proof of Legal Status Now Required for State-Issued ID Cards
An amendment attached to SB 1 during the special session will require applicants for driver’s licenses and other state-issued identification cards to produce government-issued documents affirming their legal status.
Posted in
State Government
Lawmakers Move to Limit Scrutiny of Perry Travel
Just as Gov. Rick Perry steps out on the national stage, lawmakers back home are moving to limit public access to detailed records showing how much it’s costing to protect him during his travels.
Posted in
State Government
Lucio Asks Perry to Add Checkpoints to Agenda
A border lawmaker has written Gov. Rick Perry in the hopes of adding another item to the agenda for the current special session.
Posted in
State Government
Southbound Checkpoints Face Uphill Battle
A measure eyed by some lawmakers as a means to stop the flow of illicit cash and weapons into Mexico via the Texas border is on life support.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Approves Texting-While-Driving Ban
The Texas Senate approved a measure this evening that would ban texting and sending e-mails and instant messages while driving.
