Aguilar and Weber on a subdued debate over homeland security, Galbraith on rising concern about natural gas drilling, Grissom on a controversial psychologist, Hamilton on the aftermath of the Rick O’Donnell episode, Philpott on the comptroller’s apology, Ramshaw with more on the statewide database of child abusers, E. Smith interviews Lance Armstrong, M. Smith on what House budget cuts would mean for school districts, M. Stiles on how redistricting would change things for each House member, Tan on the Senate’s wobbly attempts to approve a budget and my interview with David Dewhurst: The best of our best content from April 25 to 29, 2011.
April 2011
Posted in
Economy
Senate Debates “Non-Tax Revenue”
The Texas Senate, digging publicly for money while it battles quietly over a proposed budget, approved a “non-tax revenue” bill that would make $4.3 billion available for spending over the next two years.
Posted in
State Government
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: Apr. 25 to Apr. 29
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome.
Posted in
State Government
Perry Temporarily Gives Up His Personal Email Account
Anyone planning to email Gov. Rick Perry for the remainder of this session need not bother trying to reach him on his personal account. He won’t be using it.
Posted in
Public Education
SB 4 Sparks Quarrel Between Shapiro, Teachers Groups
A bill authorizing a major rethink of teacher evaluation in Texas public schools has teachers organizations scuffling with Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Florence Shapiro, R-Plano.
Posted in
State Government
House Gives Early OK to TxDOT Sunset Bill
Consider it a do-over. The House today tentatively approved the Texas Department of Transportation Sunset bill, the measure that last year sent lawmakers into a surprise special session.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT President, A&M Professor Tussle With TPPF
At a panel hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation today, Bill Powers, the president of the University of Texas, and Robert Strawser, an accounting professor at Texas A&M University and the speaker of its faculty senate, responded to the conservative think tank’s proposed higher education reforms.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: April 29, 2011
Your afternoon reading: budget could hit Senate on Monday; Zaffirini may let higher ed bill die; House committee OKs yacht tax break
Posted in
Demographics
Where Are Perry’s Emergency Items?
With fewer than five weeks left in the regular session, none of Gov. Rick Perry’s emergency items — voter ID, sanctuary cities, sonograms for women getting abortions, a federal balanced budget amendment, and eminent domain protection — have made it to his desk.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Approves “Bath Salts” Ban
The Senate today passed a bill that would make it illegal to make “bath salts,” a drug that can have effects similar to cocaine or amphetamines and can be bought legally online or in smoke shops.