Legislative Notebook — Week 2
Lawmakers are still in the “fixin’ to” stage of the session taking a week off after a week on the job — not unusual in the years when presidents are being inaugurated — but the wheels are turning. Full Story
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Hygiene Products Running Low in Prisons as State Contracts Lapse
Texas prisons are running low on hygiene products that are not considered necessities for inmates, including toothpaste and deodorant. Family members and inmates are frustrated as state officials try to find a contractor. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Interactive Map: Senate Committees by Districts of Sitting Members
The members of the Texas Senate have been placed in their committees, but where in the state do the committee members come from? Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Senate. Full Story
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Lawmakers Renew Push to Ban Texting While Driving
At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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![Jeanne Brown, whose daughter Alex Brown died in a 2009 accident while texting and driving, spoke Jan. 29, 2013, in support of a bill making texting and driving illegal. Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though multiple cities have passed ordinances making it illegal.]()
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Storify: Perry's State of the State Address
This Storify presentation reveals the instant reactions on social media by legislators, staffers, guests and journalists to Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State address. Full Story
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Video: Democrats Respond to Gov. Perry's State of the State Address
Texas Democratic legislators respond to Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address on Tuesday. Full Story
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Video: State of the State Address
Full video of Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address. Full Story
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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. Full Story
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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. Full Story
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Before Changing Chairs, Ethics Commission to Renew a Debate
The Texas Ethics Commission’s board convenes Thursday to choose new leadership for 2013. But before that happens, its commissioners will review an ethics opinion they did not agree on two months ago. Full Story
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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. Full Story
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Governor Readies State of the State Address No. 7
For the seventh time since he became governor in 2000, Gov. Rick Perry will appear before a joint session of the Texas Senate and House on Tuesday to deliver his biennial State of the State speech. Full Story
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![Governor Rick Perry delivers the State of State speech on February 8th, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
For Most Texans, Session Means Following Along From Afar
Living close to the capital city, Central Texans have relatively easy access to state lawmakers during the biennial legislative session. But in a state as big as Texas, most of the state's population must follow the action from up to hundreds of miles away. Full Story
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![Inside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 8, 2013, the opening day of the 83rd Legislative session]()
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Senators Hold Hearing on Guns in Schools
Police and educators were among those who testified before senators on Monday about how to ensure school safety and whether school employees should carry concealed handguns on campus. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte D-San Antonio, asks question during a Joint Committee Hearing on School Safety in the Senate Chamber on January 28th , 2013]()
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Hot Seat: A Conversation with Hancock and Patrick
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas at Arlington, state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, talked about public education, health care, the state budget and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
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Some Public Business Remains in the Shadows
Politicians love transparency right now — or love to talk about it. But some of their efforts at providing it aren't clear, and some that are clear aren't timely. Some public records just aren't readily available to the public. Full Story
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Gay Parents Want Birth Certificate Rule Changed
Under Texas law, same-sex parents cannot both appear on an adoptive child's supplemental birth certificate. A bill authored by Rep. Rafael Anchia would change that, but opponents argue the proposal is an "attack on mothers and fathers." Full Story
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![Brian Stephens, left, and Andy Miller with their son, Clark, on Jan. 21, 2013, in Austin.]()
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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. Full Story
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Garcia, Alvarado Headed for Runoff in SD-6
The SD-6 grudge match between Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Democrat Sylvia Garcia, a former Harris County commissioner, is headed for a runoff. Full Story
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![State Rep. Carol Alvarado (left), D-Houston, and Former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia are among the eight candidates vying to replace the late Sen. Mario Gallegos.]()
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Video: Hundreds Crowd Capitol to "Rally for Life"
The state's Republican leaders each took turns at the microphone on Saturday afternoon to rouse what Gov. Rick Perry called a record crowd at the annual Texas Rally for Life. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond
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