state government

The Weekly TribCast: Episode 71

By Reeve Hamilton March 16, 2011

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Ben and special guest Jim Henson discuss the Rainy Day Fund, Hispanic Republicans, Tommy Lee Jones and a good deal more. Full Story
Lawmakers Get an Earful About Campus Carry

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 16, 2011

Supporters and opponents of allowing concealed handguns on college campuses packed a House committee room today where a number of bills that would allow it were being discussed. Full Story

Credit: Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News
Senate Approves Eyewitness ID Reform

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 16, 2011

The Texas Senate unanimously approved a bill today that would revamp eyewitness identification policies used by law enforcement agencies. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Courtesy of the Cole family
Texas Decides on Substitute Execution Drug

By Brandi Grissom March 16, 2011

Cleve Foster will be the first Texas inmate to receive the anesthetic drug pentobarbital — instead of sodium thiopental — in the three-drug cocktail that will be used in his execution on April 5. Full Story
Where Do Elected Officials Send Their Kids to School?

By Morgan Smith and Andrew Weber March 16, 2011

Tribune readers, wondering what was personally at stake for the state’s education policy makers, asked us to check where lawmakers send their children to school. We obliged, and posed that question to all 181 members of the Legislature and 15 members of the State Board of Education. Full Story
Election Contest Committee Sides With Howard

By Aziza Musa March 15, 2011

The House Election Contest Committee unanimously voted today to uphold Rep. Will Hartnett's determination that Donna Howard won the long-disputed HD-48 seat. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Voter ID to Hit House Next Week

By Julián Aguilar March 15, 2011

The House Calendars Committee voted this evening to place the voter ID bill, SB 14, on the schedule for Monday. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
3.2 Billion From Rainy Day

By Justin Dehn March 15, 2011

Texas House Appropriations committee approves use of 3.2 billion of rainy day fund for 2011 budget. Full Story
Ban Synthetic Drugs, Lawmakers Say

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 15, 2011

Synthetic drugs and hallucinogenic plants shouldn't stand a chance in Texas, lawmakers on the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee said today, as they considered a set of bills that would ban the substances. Full Story
Appropriations Votes to Spend $3.1 Billion From Rainy Day Fund

By Thanh Tan March 15, 2011

Late Tuesday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee voted 27-0 to move HB 275 to the floor. The substitute bill authorizes the state to draw down about $3.1 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
GOP Lawmakers Call for Reform, Guest-Worker Program

By Julián Aguilar March 15, 2011

Calling on Washington to fix the country’s “discriminatory” immigration system, Hispanic Republicans in the Texas Legislature also fired off the first salvos in what could be a divisive battle within the party over immigration legislation. Full Story
Perry: Campaign's Social Media Warrants a Book

By Emily Ramshaw March 15, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry, who has 52,000 fans on Facebook, said Tuesday that his 2010 re-election campaign's use of social media could make history. Full Story

Credit: Politico
Update: Protesters Gather Against Paddling

By Andrew Weber March 15, 2011

Some small school districts in Texas still paddle poorly behaving students, and protesters at the Capitol today said they want the swatting to stop. Full Story
Beach Projects at Risk From Lawsuit, Budget

By Becca Aaronson March 15, 2011

The General Land Office has a lot on its plate these days — a controversial property rights lawsuit, the reopening of Texas’ favorite surf spot and an ongoing project to restore Texas’ most fertile fishing pier. Full Story

Credit: Judy Baxter
Data App: Lobbying Directory Details Spending, Clients

By Matt Stiles and Christopher Chang March 15, 2011

Lobbyists spent more than $1.2 million in the first two months of 2011 trying to influence lawmakers and state officials, according to the latest ethics filings, which are now accessible in our new lobbying data application. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Cotera/Todd Wiseman
Guest Column: How About a "Pro-Life" Budget?

By Eddie Lucio Jr. March 15, 2011

I believe people should understand the gravity of their decision — which is why it's too bad there's no sonogram provision for the Texas budget process. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Slideshow: Fighting for Public Education Funding

By Morgan Smith March 14, 2011

The past few days have seen thousands of students, educators and parents at the Texas Capitol to protest the budget cuts they say will do long-term harm to Texas students. Here are some images of the action. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Lacking Governor's OK, Pitts Adjourns Rainy Day Fund Hearing

By Thanh Tan March 14, 2011

House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, thought he had a deal with Gov. Rick Perry and his staff to tap the Rainy Day Fund to close the current biennium shortfall. But with no public support from the governor's office, Pitts adjourned his hearing. Full Story
Bills Would Consolidate State Agencies to Cut Cost

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 14, 2011

In an effort to cut administrative costs, state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, filed a group of bills last week that would eliminate four state agencies. Full Story
Sanctuary Cities Bill Passes First Hurdle

By Julián Aguilar March 14, 2011

Legislation banning “sanctuary city” policies in Texas was voted out of the House State Affairs Committee today, sending the controversial bill to the full House for consideration. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Jacob Villanueva