Full video of my 5/28 conversation with state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso.
Lois Kolkhorst
Posted inState Government
Livestream: How’d the Texas Senate Do?
We’re livestreaming our discussion on the 84th legislative session with state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso.
Posted in
Transportation
House, Senate at Odds Over Provision That Would Block Bullet Train
House and Senate leaders are in the midst of intense negotiations over a budget rider that could kill a proposed $12 billion bullet train project connecting Dallas and Houston.
Posted in
Health care
Protections for Breast-Feeding Mothers Face Opposition in Senate
A measure to provide workplace protections for female teachers who need to pump breast milk while at work is picking up opposition in the Senate.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Announces Budget Negotiation Team
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has named the Senate lineup of budget negotiators who will meet with House counterparts and hash out a final version of the two-year state budget.
Posted in
Transportation
Kolkhorst Aide: Bullet Train Position Not at Odds With Former Stance
State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who is leading opposition to a company’s efforts to build a high-speed rail line, was once part of a group that supported private sector development of high-speed rail. An aide says she is not uniformly opposed to high-speed rail.
Posted in
Health care
Senate Votes to Close Austin Institution
The Austin State Supported Living Center will be the first closed, but more are to come as the state continues moving away from residential centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Lawmakers Contradict Themselves on Debt and Domain
Lawmakers try to do what voters want, but nobody promised consistency. That’s why you can get the same legislators to reduce debt and increase it on the same day, or to argue for and against eminent domain in the same hearing.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: April 9, 2015
Republicans leery of granting more eminent domain authority acted to fast-track to nowhere a proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Bill Targeting Bullet Train Project Advances
On a 5-4 vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would hobble a private company’s plan to build a $12 billion high-speed rail line from Dallas to Houston.
