Draft budgets by both the Texas House and Senate have zeroed out funding for the Governor’s University Research Initiative, a project started by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015.
Texas Legislature
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: The Texas legislative tales that (almost) got away
The big bills and arguments and personalities in the Texas Legislature catch most of the attention and headlines, but little things deserve their time in the spotlight, too.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Civil asset forfeiture debate pits property rights advocates against law enforcement
Critics say the procedure deprives citizens of property without due process. Law enforcement officials say they are stopping crime.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Sandra Bland Act would change processes for law enforcement, jails
The bill’s proposals include limiting police searches during stops, adding reporting requirements for racial profiling and creating an independent ombudsman to monitor inmates’ rights and services.
Posted in
Politics
With money tight, will Texas leaders use the state’s savings account?
Facing a shortage of cash, will Texas lawmakers tap the $10 billion piggybank known as the Rainy Day Fund?
Posted in
Health care
Lawmaker wants to give Texas psychologists power to write prescriptions
A bill from state Rep. Dustin Burrows would let some Texas psychologists write prescriptions. Supporters say the move would ease a shortage of psychiatrists, currently the only mental health doctors allowed prescription privileges.
Posted inState Government
Watch the Texas Senate debate child welfare overhaul
Texas Senate lawmakers are debating legislation Wednesday that seeks to overhaul Texas’ child welfare system.
Posted in
Health care
Watch the Texas House debate child welfare overhaul
The Texas House is in the middle of an intense debate over a proposal that would bar undocumented Texans taking care of abused or neglected children in their families from receiving state funds that would be available to other families.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Voucher opponent protecting Texas legislators from voters
Lawmakers rarely get blamed for votes that never take place, and that’s the basis for one of the oldest protection rackets in the legislative toolkit: Killing a controversial bill before it comes to the full House or Senate.
Posted in
State Government
Businesses oppose legislation limiting public information exemptions
Businesses opposed SB 407 and SB 408 at a public hearing, arguing that open records requests could put them at a competitive disadvantage.
