Texas is expected to increase the number of public school students receiving special education services, and disability rights advocates are aiming to improve the overall quality of those services.
Harold Dutton Jr.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Justice Track
The Justice track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on criminal justice reform, the Legislature, open carry, and gay rights and states’ rights. There was also a conversation with several Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Grand Jury Reform Legislation Headed to Abbott’s Desk
Legislation that reforms the state’s grand jury system now awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature after the House on Sunday approved a compromise between the two chambers.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 26, 2015
The House faces a major deadline today; it’s the last day to take up contested Senate bills and, as such, the session promises to last until the clock strikes midnight. It doesn’t help that a major backlog of controversial legislation awaits House members.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Legislators Move Closer to Overhauling State’s Grand Jury System
The Texas House on Sunday gave final approval to an overhaul of the state’s grand juries, moving one step closer to getting rid of a controversial way of seating the panels.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: April 29, 2015
Gone are accusations of gamesmanship as lawmakers get to work finding common ground on the session’s border security bill.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: April 1, 2015
It took more than 17 hours, but the House gave preliminary OK to a budget. Anticipated fights over vouchers and in-state tuition for undocumented students failed to materialize.
Posted in
Health care
“Three-Strikes” Proposal Spurring Debate over Nursing Home Regulation
Legislators in 2015 are poised to take up a proposal that would have the state close nursing homes that rack up high-level federal violations on three separate days over a two-year period.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Expecting Pot Penalties to Decrease? Slow Your Roll
Gov. Rick Perry’s recent remarks about states’ rights and marijuana laws drew national attention, though his staff said they were nothing new. Despite the clamor over the remarks, Texans shouldn’t expect marijuana laws to change anytime soon.
Posted in
State Government
House, Senate Clash Over Dutton Bill Resolved
UPDATED: Friday morning’s clash between the House and Senate appears to be water under the bridge. Lawmakers in the upper chamber said it was a tussle over a local Houston matter — but that they’re working to resolve it.
