Last week, House Speaker Joe Straus appointed a committee to examine the state’s Code of Criminal Procedure. Committee members and relevant interest groups were caught by surprise, but they say the code is long overdue for revisions.
Texas Legislature
Posted in
State Government
Signs of Legislative Motion
Lawmakers are diving into the state budget, figuring out which parts of the governor’s State of the State speech they liked and didn’t like, and watching out of the corners of their eyes at the latest in the 2014 race for governor.
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Health care
Updated: CPRIT Leaders Testify Before House Panel
Leaders of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas offered candid testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, explaining how the institute has changed its processes to prevent future improprieties.
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Health care
TribLive: Straus on Health Reform
At Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, held open the possibility of a compromise with the federal government on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
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Economy
Watson Has Tough Words for Combs, Tax Subsidy Programs
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, criticized Republican Comptroller Susan Combs on Wednesday, saying she had a “cavalier” approach to doling out millions of dollars in tax incentives, including the award eventually granted to the promoters of F1 auto racing.
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State Government
TribLive: Straus on the Budget
At Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, talked about the likelihood of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund and whether the state can meet its obligations under the spending cap.
Posted in
Public Education
TribLive: Straus on School Finance
At Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, reacted to this week’s ruling on the school finance lawsuit and talked about what happens now.
Posted in
Economy
Perry Calls for More Funds for I-69 Project
A planned interstate highway stretching from South Texas to Michigan remains decades away, but Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday that lawmakers should find more money for the project and ones like it.
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Bidness As Usual
Video: A Look at Texas Ethics, Then and Now
The last substantial Texas ethics reforms passed during the 72nd legislative session. It wasn’t easy then — and won’t be easy now. But members pushing for new rules say they’re optimistic that their colleagues will support making the state’s business more transparent.
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Bidness As Usual
For Lobbyists, They’re Gifts That Keep On Giving
The culture of gift-giving is alive and well in the Texas Capitol, and lobbyists are the chief benefactors.
