Aaronson analyzes TWIA claims and lawyer fees, Aguilar talks border security and voter ID with Chuy Hinojosa, Grissom on the latest inmate exonerated via DNA evidence, Hamilton interviews John Sharp on higher ed and the SEC, Murphy interactively maps the changes wrought by redistricting, Philpott on who’s running Texas while Rick Perry is out campaigning for president, Ramsey on Perry’s history of off-the-cuff remarks, Ramshaw on Perry’s childhood years in Paint Creek, Root on Perry’s extraordinary first week on the trail and Tan on even more ways Texas will change on Sept. 1: The best of our best content from Aug. 15-19, 2011.
Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa
Posted in
Economy
With Filibuster, Wendy Davis Talks Herself Into Political Spotlight
State Sen. Wendy Davis’ controversial decision to torpedo the 82nd Legislative session with a filibuster has catapulted the Fort Worth Democrat into the spotlight, which she has seized to try to mobilize the state’s downtrodden and outnumbered Democrats.
Posted in
Health care
The HB 1 Apostates Explain Themselves
Several members of the Legislature bucked their parties Saturday night in voting for or against the state budget. In their own words, here’s why.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Legislation Back on Track
Sanctuary cities legislation was revived today and will be sent to the Texas Senate for consideration. A Senate committee reversed course, approving the legislation.
Posted in
Demographics
Williams Explains Move That Gutted HB 12
He may have pulled the plug on “sanctuary cities” legislation yesterday, but Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, said today he still supports it — even if he considers his own homeland security legislation a higher priority.
Posted in
State Government
Senate OKs Forensic Science Commission Bill
The mission and jurisdiction of the ever-controversial Texas Forensic Science Commission would get some clarification under a bil the Senate approved today.
Posted in
Economy
Senate Panel Approves $176.5 Billion Budget
A $176.5 billion budget for the 2012-13 biennium — 5.9 percent smaller than the current budget but almost $12 billion larger than the version passed earlier by the House — won approval from the Senate Finance Committee Thursday.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Approves Easing Restrictions on DNA Testing
The Senate today passed a bill that would reduce restrictions on post-conviction DNA testing by allowing biological evidence that was previously untested, or tested by older, potentially inaccurate techniques, to be tested and used as evidence in court.
Posted in
Health care
Is Medicaid Fraud Up? Or Is the State Getting More Vigilant?
The quickest way to curb the state’s reeling Medicaid costs? Eliminating fraud and recovering funds, state officials say. “I just don’t think people out there have any idea how much money is being scammed,” said Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Grapevine.
Posted in
Health care
For Senate Democrats, Abortion Bill Reveals Split
Unlike the debate over voter ID, in which Senate Democrats stood united in their opposition, a combination of politics, religion and personal histories have made the sonogram bill more divisive in their caucus.