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Friday, April 12, 2013
On Thursday the Senate passed SB 21—the drug-testing-for-unemployment-benefits bill—with a couple of modifications from the Democrats, and without much excitement on either side.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Republicans and Democrats agree on drug testing for welfare recipients? Maybe there is something in the water.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously signed off on a measure Tuesday that would require DNA testing of all biological evidence before capital cases go to trial.
The announcement that Google Fiber is coming to Austin means more than just super-fast cat videos.
Friday, April 5, 2013
A bill requiring the state attorney general to take legal action if cities or counties attempt to regulate guns passed the Senate Thursday over the objections of Sen. Royce West.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Don't understand Texas's constitutional spending cap? You've come to the right place.
The Senate Education Committee heard four hours of testimony Tuesday on a bill by Senator Dan Patrick that would require the State Board of Education to sign off on all lesson plans included in the online curriculum management tool CSCOPE.
Whatever happens to the struggling agency, the fallout from the scandal will linger.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Capitol was the site of two dueling press conferences Monday over what could be one of the signature fights of the 2013 session: Medicaid expansion.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The Senate takes up the issue of local revenue, and the locals aren’t happy.
"I'd never marry a guy I didn't like," says the man who once covered “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other."
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Why we need to get a grip on all this Second Amendment hysteria.
A key compromise on SB-11 moves the controversial bill to the full Senate.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Polls show that a majority of Texans support legal recognition for same-sex couples, but legalizing marriage equality in Texas would require an amendment to the state constitution.
The Senate's unanimous passage of SB 7 gives a small hint of what a Texas approach to Medicaid might look like.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Has Texas entered a new era in which talking about new revenue doesn't equal certain political death?
Friday, March 22, 2013
This week's debate on the PUC shows why the sunset process continues to shine light on good government.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
One day after the Legislature shows its support for UT president William Powers, the Board of Regents strikes back.
The Democrats in the Texas Senate might not be crazy about this year's budget, but most of them are a lot happier than they were in 2011.
The consultants behind Battleground Texas believe the state is ready to swing back to the Democrats. They could learn a thing or two from the Republicans.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Senate approved a measure that would allow voters to decide whether to amend the constitution to limit statewide elected officials to two terms.
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Texas Tribune reported Monday that the president of the Fort Bend County Tea Party formerly served as the “director of propaganda” for the American Fascist Party. Listen to a speech Ives gave in September at Tea Party meeting where he hosted Michael Quinn Sullivan.
What's really behind Dan Patrick's bill on graduation requirements at the state's public universities?
During my years as a district attorney, I have sought the death penalty. But does the state need to take a life to make a point?
Friday, March 15, 2013
Sawyer Chandler and Sam Matthews, young activists, are calling on legislators to strengthen Texas's safeguards against shark finning—with an assist from Coach Taylor.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
In a committee hearing Wednesday, Tommy Williams and Wendy Davis spent fifteen minutes sparring over SB 21, a bill by Williams that would make drug testing mandatory for certain individuals wishing to receive unemployment benefits.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
George P. Bush officially announced his campaign for statewide office Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
In a committee hearing Tuesday, the exoneree and newlywed pushed for a bill that would change the statute of limitations for offenses involving prosecutorial misconduct.
Space entrepreneur (and noted crank) Elon Musk's latest project is ready to launch. Will the Open Beaches Act stand in his way?
Monday, March 11, 2013
Too many people, most of whom don’t know what they’re talking about. In defense of our (mostly) great state.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
In his biennial address on the state of the judiciary, the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court remembers the Alamo.
With a bill that would bar school districts from using sex education curriculum developed by abortion providers, the culture wars returned to the Capitol.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
In a discussion about the future of Texas hosted by the LBJ Future Forum, four members of the Texas House of Representatives drilled down on policy issues surrounding public education.
The Texas Senate passes its version of the supplemental appropriations bill for some cash-strapped state agencies.
Monday, March 4, 2013
A full complement of state senators will soon be seated for the first time in the 2013 legislative session.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
When Max Shatto, a three-year-old adopted from Russia, collapsed dead in his backyard in Gardendale, Texas, the Kremlin’s response—to allege that he was abused and murdered—said more about Russian politics than it did about Texan mothers.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
After the 2011 budget cuts, the Lege has some room for reform on public education.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The former field director for the Obama campaign outlined the group's plan to turn Texas blue.
In the House of Representatives traditional flag football game, sports and politics collided on the grass of Kyle Field. Fortunately, the only things that got bruised were a few egos.
Monday, February 25, 2013
A Senate finance committee work group has proposed directing an additional $100 million towards preventative care and family planning.
Friday, February 22, 2013
"I don’t know anyone nationally who’s scoffing at this," says the chairman of the state GOP.
What the unanimous passage of HB 10 suggests about the mood of the 83rd Legislature.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Money makes the world go round - Susan Combs on budgets, borrowing, and race cars.
Why Texas should think about raising the minimum wage—and why doing so might not be such a good idea in other states.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Barbara Cargill, the nominee to head the State Board of Education, talks about curriculum standards, how she would teach evolution, and the number of fossils she owns.