Not only is there finally a congressional map in legislative form, but Gov. Rick Perry has added that to the list of issues lawmakers will address during the special session. Hearings on the new map have been set for Friday.
May 2011
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Congressional Redistricting Maps
State lawmakers on Tuesday proposed revised U.S. House districts, a map that could boost Republicans’ advantage to 26 seats. Use this interactive to see the changes, and how they would have been affected in the 2008 presidential race.
Posted in
T-Squared
T-Squared: Farewell to @stiles, Who’s Off to NPR
It would be impossible to overstate the degree to which Matt Stiles has been responsible for our success in our first 18-plus months — which is why we’re sorry to see him go.
Posted in
State Government
Video: GOP Leaders Tout Budget Cuts; Perry Demurs on 2012 Run
Gov. Rick Perry, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday touted the accomplishments of the regular session: cutting the state budget without raising taxes or tapping the Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Public Education
Updated: Teacher Furloughs Fair Game for Special
Rep. Rob Eissler has filed his mandate relief bill, and while it doesn’t lift the class-size ratio, it virtually ensures a school district would recieve a waiver from the requirement upon request — as long as that wouldn’t result in more than 25 students in a classroom, a district-wide average of more than 22 students per class, or “negatively affect the education of students.”
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Bill Filed for Special Session
A bill that seeks to ban “sanctuary cities” in Texas has been filed for the special session of the Legislature that began today.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: May 31, 2011
Your afternoon reading: special session slow to start; congressional maps unveiled; House slipup could cost the state $13.4 million
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 31, 2011
And just like that, as if it never left (it didn’t), the Legislature’s back in town.
Posted in
Demographics
Day One, 1st Called Session of the 82nd Legislature
Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn’t finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Session’s End Creates Graveyard of Failed Legislation
The system is meant to kill legislation: That’s the old line often heard around the Capitol. As the session’s end slams the coffin door on a slew of bills, more than a few lawmakers are taking solace in the fact that their dead bills have lots of company.