Your evening reading: Perry’s State of the State avoids hot topics; Cornyn, Cruz vote against Kerry’s confirmation; poll shows Perry vulnerable in 2014
Politics
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Energy
Perry Talks Water, Tax Relief in State of the State
In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education.
Posted inPolitics, State Government
Livestream: Perry’s 2013 State of the State Address
Gov. Rick Perry delivers his seventh State of the State address today, telling the 83rd Legislature — and the rest of us — what’s on his mind and what he hopes state lawmakers will accomplish before the end of the regular session. Watch live starting at 11 a.m.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Business Association Launches Criminal Justice Agenda
The Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby, is adding criminal justice reform to its agenda for the first time. The association says reducing the prison population and increasing the workforce makes business sense.
Posted in
Demographics
The Brief: Jan. 29, 2013
A major new federal immigration proposal has corralled bipartisan support, but Texas Republicans aren’t biting.
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Politics
The Evening Brief: Jan. 28, 2013
Your evening reading: Texans react to senators’ immigration plan; report urges state to expand Medicaid; Boy Scouts may end ban on gay leaders
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: What is the Blocker Bill?
The blocker bill, a tradition of the Texas Senate, gives the minority party power, because it requires that two-thirds of the Senate must agree before a bill is heard on the floor.
Posted in
Politics
Railroad Commissioner Wants Firearm Training for Employees
With the debate over gun rights still raging in Texas and across the nation, the head of one Texas agency, the Railroad Commission, is pushing to provide training for employees so they can carry concealed handguns on the job.
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Politics
The Brief: Jan. 28, 2013
The immigration debate about to descend on Washington has already pushed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz into the spotlight.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Legislators Can Carry Bills That Benefit Them? Yep.
The common practice of lawmakers carrying bills or serving on committees that could directly affect their lives or livelihoods is permitted, so long as their efforts benefit all others in similar circumstances. But it still has vocal critics.