What began as a local dispute over the demolition of a 1910 house has escalated into a statewide battle over what makes a building historic — and who gets to decide.
Gary W. Elkins
Posted in
Contract High
Limited Contracting Fixes Moving Forward
Amid a series of scandals, most lawmakers say they want to reform the way Texas hands out billions in state contracts. Discussion has narrowed to a handful of bills that some warn are merely first steps.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Complicated Politics of Red Light Cameras
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland’s ejection from a House Transportation Committee hearing aside, activists devoted to purging Texas of red light cameras say they aren’t thrilled with the bills under consideration this session.
Posted in
Contract High
Lawmakers Vying to Bring More Transparency to State Contracting
Texas lawmakers consider different approaches to transforming the state’s unwieldy, loophole-ridden system of contract oversight into something that can be properly tracked, analyzed and, when needed, restrained.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Oct. 21, 2014
Here are some dispatches from around the state on the first day of early voting.
Posted in
Politics
Abbott Proposes Far-Reaching Ethics Reform
Ethics watchdogs are applauding gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott for proposing what would amount to a sea change in Texas ethics laws.
Posted inState Government
Slideshow: Sen. John Carona Through the Years
Take a photographic trip through Sen. John Carona’s career in the Texas Legislature, from his swearing in as a freshman House member in 1991 to his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Committee on Business & Commerce.
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Bidness As Usual
For John Carona, Conflicts and Interests
The constitutional provision of a part-time Legislature whose members have full-time jobs back home blurs the line between public responsibilities and personal ambition — as the story of a certain powerful state senator illustrates.
Posted in
Energy
There’s More Than One Way to Land a Catfish
Hand fishing — that is, sticking your hand down the throat of a fish — is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. But not for long. State lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill to legalize hand fishing, sending it to the governor.
Posted in
State Government
As Clock Winds Down, Bill Body Count Mounts
It’s easier to spike legislation than to pass it, and timing is important. Nothing is dead for certain until the session ends, but lots of important things are not done, and the regular session ends on Memorial Day.
