The lower chamber erupted into a gender war of sorts Thursday afternoon, with Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, accusing a special interest group of sexism, and Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, suggesting some lawmakers have pornography on the House floor.
Senfronia Thompson
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State Government
Senators Work to Narrow “Puppy Mill” Bill
A controversial bill meant to shut down puppy mills has drawn another opponent in state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. “I’m a barking ‘no,'” Patrick said during a recent public hearing.
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State Government
Puppies, and the Legislative Power of Distraction
It’s tense at the Texas Capitol. It’s May — the last month of the session. Deadlines are arriving daily. Bills are dying. Legislative wish lists are drying up and blowing away. Blame the puppies.
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State Government
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: Apr. 25 to Apr. 29
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome.
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State Government
House Gives Early Nod to Puppy Mill Bill
Dog breeders would be regulated for the first time in Texas under a bill the House tentatively approved today.
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Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson on a freshman lawmaker’s rogue antics, Aguilar on how cartel violence affects tick eradication, Galbraith on Midland’s water woes, Hamilton on the exit of a higher ed reformer, Murphy maps voting age by county, Philpott on the data breach at the Comptroller’s office, Ramsey on why Susan Combs needs to eat crow, my TribLive interview with U.S. Sen John Cornyn, Ramshaw on Cornyn’s refusal to take the “nickel tour” of Planned Parenthood, M. Smith annotates the contracts of superintendents, Stiles on a GOP-friendly redistricting map and Tan on a possible Rainy Day Fund raid: The best of our best content from April 18 to 22, 2011.
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State Government
Lawmakers Say Simpson Broke “Rules of Decorum”
The rogue antics of freshman state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview — knocking three bills, including veteran Democratic state Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s contentious puppy mill bill, off of a fast-track House calendar — are attracting glares and backlash from his colleagues, some of whom are considering returning the favor.
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State Government
Breeders Alarmed As Puppy Mill Bill Gets Fast-Tracked
The so-called puppy mill bill that has dog breeders and animal rights groups in Texas squared off in a war of words, HB 1451 by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, will be up for a vote on the House floor tomorrow.
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State Government
Dog Breeders Fret That State Lawyer Is a Mole
She’s volunteered at Emancipet, an Austin animal rescue group. Her Facebook page is populated with posts from animal rights groups. And she’s also an attorney for the state’s regulating agency who is helping to draft a bill that dog breeders say is designed to kill their industry.
Posted inState Government
TribLive: Thompson on Race and Party ID
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, talked about whether being black and being Republican were incompatible.
