A bill authored by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would make it a felony to threaten a romantic partner into taking on debt or financing expensive items like cars.
Judith Zaffirini
Posted in
Higher Education
Some lawmakers think free speech is endangered at Texas colleges. But what can they do about it?
Free speech on campus has become a hot-button issue, but it’s unclear how lawmakers can better protect it — or if they need to.
Posted in
Environment
After Harvey, some South Texans more wary than ever about plan to build landfill near floodplain
Months after Hurricane Harvey rainfall triggered the leak of hazardous waste, new scrutiny is being paid to a company’s plan to develop a landfill outside Laredo near a floodplain.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House votes to end jail time for being too poor to pay fines
Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas House passes court security bill
The bill is named in honor of state District Judge Julie Kocurek. Her assailant shot at her several times outside her home, and she suffered serious injuries from shattered glass and shrapnel.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Outlook good for statewide texting-while-driving ban, key lawmakers say
Key lawmakers are optimistic about the passage of a bill that would ban texting-and-driving across Texas, despite failed attempts over the last few sessions.
Posted inState Government
Texas House passes statewide ban on texting while driving
Members voted 113-32 to tentatively approve the legislation, which will get a final vote in the House before it can proceed to the Senate. A Senate committee has passed a similar measure.
Posted in
Energy
At Capitol, bill targeting plastic bag bans draws strong opposition
Ranchers, city officials and environmentalists testified on Tuesday against a bill that would prevent cities from banning plastic grocery bags or charging a fee for them.
Posted inState Government
Video: Privacy, the Cloud and State Government
At our 12/9 symposium on cybersecurity and privacy, I talked about the cybersecurity of state agencies and government entities with state Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock; Todd Kimbriel, interim executive director of the Texas Department of Information Resources; Jesse Rivera, chief information security officer at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Lawmakers Seek Abbott’s Blessing on Oil Theft Crackdown
Oil rustlers of Texas beware: State lawmakers want to crack down on the those who swipe hundreds of barrels of black gold to sell on the black market. But first, they need the governor’s blessing.
