While abortion legislation is drawing all the attention in this second special session, lawmakers are also trying for the third time this year to find some extra money for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Transportation
Reporting on roads, transit, infrastructure, and policy shaping travel and mobility across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Transportation
Third Time’s the Charm for Road Funding Plan?
The second special session starting Monday gives transportation advocates a third chance to find some extra money for road construction and maintenance.
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Criminal Justice
Transportation, Criminal Justice Bills Headed to Full Senate
The Senate could vote as early as next week on transportation funding and criminal justice measures that died in the first special session. Those measures were quickly approved Tuesday by two Senate committees.
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Politics
At Perry’s Behest, Lawmakers Back for a Second Helping
After an end-of-session debate killed three bills, including a controversial abortion bill that prompted a filibuster, Gov. Rick Perry is calling lawmakers back for more. They started Monday.
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Criminal Justice
In Senate Abortion Fight, Other Bills Became Collateral Damage
Legislation that would create sentencing guidelines for 17-year-old murderers and increase funding for road construction were not the target of state Sen. Wendy Davis’ filibuster, but died amid her high-profile effort.
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Transportation
Guest Column: The Wrong Route to Road Funding
Lawmakers are considering a creative and innovative proposal for highway funding, but it’s the wrong way to go.
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Transportation
Road Funding, Veto Override Hit Hurdles in Hearing
With just days left in the special session, the House Appropriations Committee met Tuesday evening to take on two politically tricky tasks.
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Transportation
Senate Takes Step Toward Transportation Funding Solution
Senators on Tuesday tentatively approved a resolution that aims to solve the state’s transportation funding woes by diverting future revenue from the Rainy Day Fund.
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Criminal Justice
Newsreel: Special Session, Special Items, Clock Ticking
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: It’s week three of the special session, and Gov. Rick Perry has added a few more items to the agenda, including abortion restrictions, transportation and criminal sentencing for teenagers.
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Criminal Justice
A Special Session for Self-Made Emergencies
Special sessions are for emergencies — for finding solutions to problems that can’t wait for the next regular session. Sometimes, the emergencies are beyond anyone’s control. Sometimes, like now, they’re manufactured in Austin.
