Aaronson and Grissom on a freshman lawmaker who didn’t mind making waves, Aguilar on E-Verify’s new lease on life, Galbraith on the state’s plodding progress toward solar power, Hamilton on Warren Chisum’s exit, Philpott on the remapping of Lloyd Doggett’s district, Ramsey on a proposed change to ethics laws for Texas pols, Ramshaw on efforts by the state to take control of Medicaid and Medicare, Root on why a Rick presidential bid shouldn’t be underestimated, M. Smith on the unraveling of school finance legislation and Tan and Dehn on the highs and lows of the 82nd legislative session: The best of our best content from May 30 to June 3, 2011.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
With Little Help From Austin, Texas’ Solar Use Grows — Slowly
Renewable energy companies are looking to this big, sunny state as the next frontier for solar power. But solar is expensive, and once again the Legislature did not pass a statewide solar incentive. Some companies and communities are forging ahead nonetheless.
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Criminal Justice
20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting.
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Energy
Senate Passes Fracking Disclosure Bill
After a lengthy discussion, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would require drilling companies using hydraulic fracturing techniques to disclose on a public website the chemicals they use in the process.
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Energy
Prospects Dimming for Bill to Aid McDonald Observatory
A bill aimed at reducing the glare from outdoor lighting in a large swath of West Texas in order to help the McDonald Observatory is currently stuck in the Senate, though its sponsor hopes to get it to the floor by the tomorrow’s legislative deadline.
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Energy
Senate OKs “Reptile Bill”
The Senate passed the “reptile bill” today, which creates regulations for hunters who want to collect snakes and horny toads along Texas highways.
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Energy
Texas Files Challenge to EPA “Endangerment Finding”
Acting on behalf of 14 other states, the state of Texas today filed an opening brief in its case seeking to overturn a finding by the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare.
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Energy
Questions Over Fracking Linger as Bill Awaits Senate Action
A bill that would compel energy companies to reveal some chemicals they use to extract natural gas is awaiting movement in the Texas Senate. But as Mose Buchele of KUT News reports, there are still plenty of unanswered questions when it comes to the drilling process, known as fracking.
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Energy
There’s More Than One Way to Land a Catfish
Hand fishing — that is, sticking your hand down the throat of a fish — is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. But not for long. State lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill to legalize hand fishing, sending it to the governor.
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Energy
Senate OKs Legalizing “Noodling”
Amid the budget drama of the day, senators had a few moments of levity when they brought up the “noodling” bill, which would legalize the practice of hand-fishing for catfish.