We’re liveblogging this weekend from The Texas Tribune Festival’s Environment track, which features panel discussions on the West fertilizer plant explosion, water, the future of parks and the fight over climate change.
Glenn Hegar
Posted in
Politics
Crowded Field Gathering for Comptroller Contest
Four Republicans are vying to replace outgoing state Comptroller Susan Combs, and at least one Democrat may join the race soon, too.
Posted in
Economy
Senate Sponsor Significantly Rewrites Franchise Tax Bill
House Bill 500, the Legislature’s most sweeping attempt at reforming the franchise tax this session, was drastically rewritten Thursday morning by its Senate sponsor, state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy.
Posted in
Politics
Watchdogs: Ethics Law Loopholes Leave Public in Dark About Lobby Perks
Whether it’s lobbyists’ spending on legislators or lawmakers who don’t disclose their spouses’ interests on personal financial statements, Texas ethics laws are full of holes.
Posted in
Energy
TribuneFest: A Conversation with Ritter and Hegar
At the Trib’s Oct. 29 symposium at Texas State University on the future of water, I talked with state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, and state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, a member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
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.
Posted in
Energy
Senate Passes Fracking Disclosure Bill
After a lengthy discussion, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would require drilling companies using hydraulic fracturing techniques to disclose on a public website the chemicals they use in the process.
Posted in
State Government
Fraudulent Fishermen Could Face Felony
Fraudulent fishermen better reel it in. The Senate passed a bill today to make cheating in a fishing tournament up to a third-degree felony, sending the measure on to the governor.
Posted in
Higher Education
Why the U. of Houston-Victoria Wants a New Marriage — With A&M
An influential band of the 62,500 or so residents of Victoria, home of the University of Houston-Victoria — a smaller, more rural member of the University of Houston System, about 130 miles from the main campus — is leading a movement to part ways with the parent system.
Posted in
State Government
Senate OKs Renaming, Shrinking RR Commission
The Senate approved a bill today that would change the name of the Railroad Commission to the Texas Oil and Gas Commission and reduce the size of the commission from three elected members to one elected commissioner.