Politics & Policy
March 21, 2013
A View of the Sunset
This week's debate on the PUC shows why the sunset process continues to shine light on good government.
Sunset
Politics & Policy
June 1, 2009
A way out of the carnage
Only two bills have to pass during a legislative session. One is the budget. The other is the safety-net Sunset bill. At this point, only one has passed. The death of the safety-net bill puts the existence of several state agencies, including TxDOT and the State Board of Insurance, at
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2009
Hegar: Eminent domain needs to be part of TxDOT Sunset
During today’s Senate transportation hearing, Hegar expressed concern that the eminent domain issue might not pass the House, and that as a last resort it should be included in the TxDOT sunset bill. The disappearance of eminent domain from the radar screen is very curious. After all, this was one
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2009
Hegar on TxDOT Sunset
I’ve been watching Senate Transportation on TV. Hegar is talking about the process: “There is a prevailing thought among the public that they want their tax dollars to be used to build roads, nothing more, nothing less. They want transparency and accountability in the agency, nothing more, nothing less.” …
Politics & Policy
May 9, 2009
Wanted: adult supervision
The House was out of control Thursday during the debate on the TxDOT Sunset bill. The process was living proof of the old saying that there are two things you should never see being made: sausage and legislation. This was not serious lawmaking. It was an orgy--an orgy of hatred
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2009
Governor’s critics strike again
This time it was on Dan Flynn's Sunset bill to abolish the Office of State-Federal Relations, which is subject to legislative oversight, and transfer the functions to the governor's office. A similar bill died last session. You cannot mention the word "governor" in the House without stirring certain members--Tommy Merritt,