After failing by one vote on the House floor Wednesday night, a bill to penalize law enforcement agencies that don’t report police shootings to the state was reconsidered and passed.
Eric Johnson
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers to Consider Body Cameras for Police
As a bystander’s video of a South Carolina cop shooting and killing an unarmed black man reignites a national debate over police brutality, Texas lawmakers are set to discuss police body cameras in a public hearing.
Posted in
Public Education
Lawmakers Propose Pre-K Incentive Payment System
Two lawmakers in the Texas House have presented a plan for a major overhaul of early education in the state. The measure would create an incentive payment system for school districts offering full-day pre-kindergarten programs.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Is That Any Way to Attract Los Gringos?
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, speaking at the Texas Democratic Party convention on Friday, referred to the GOP using Spanish profanity. The line drew gasps and laughs from the audience and anger from conservatives.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: May 9, 2014
Ahead of a possible vote on impeachment on Monday, members of the House select committee investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall appear split on how to proceed.
Posted in
Politics
Rivalry Game Fundraising a Growing Political Trend
The Longhorns and Sooners won’t be the only ones looking for a win this weekend in Dallas. More than 30 Texas legislators are hoping to turn the Red River Rivalry game into campaign cash.
Posted in
Public Education
Re-examining High School’s Senior Year to Benefit Pre-Kindergarten
With the help of a new law, the Dallas Independent School District is designing a program that will funnel money saved when students graduate early into expanding pre-kindergarten offerings.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Report Urges Reduced Prostitution Punishment
A new report out Tuesday urges lawmakers to reduce penalties for prostitution and send more defendants to diversion and intervention programs. Advocates argue it will save the state money.
Posted in
Higher Education
Born Out of Controversy, New Higher Ed Committee Gets to Work
Today brings the latest step in the state’s ongoing higher education debate: the inaugural hearing of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency.
Posted in
State Government
TribBlog: Ethics Reform a Nudge at Hodge?
Embattled former Dallas state Rep. Terri Hodge hasn’t even finished serving her year in prison for lying on her tax returns. But her successor, freshman Democratic Rep. Eric Johnson, is already pledging to file legislation that would prohibit lawmakers who commit felonies from receiving state pension benefits.
