Agenda Texas: The Politics of Transportation Funding
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Lawmakers want to spend billions to repair the state's crumbling roads, but that's putting some Republican leaders in a bind. Full Story
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Lawmakers Discuss Race-Related Evidence in Death Penalty Cases
Lawmakers on Tuesday debated a bill that would allow death row inmates to appeal their sentences if they believe that race played a role in their punishment. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: April 16, 2013
Your evening reading: House lawmaker outlines alternative to Medicaid expansion; Cruz introduces his own gun legislation; details of federal immigration bill emerge Full Story
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Zerwas Proposes Alternative to Medicaid Expansion
Amid hours of testimony from advocates in support of Medicaid expansion on Tuesday, state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, described his proposal for an alternative program to provide health coverage for the poor and uninsured. Full Story
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Higher Ed Coalition Hits Back at UT Regent's Criticism
The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, a group formed in 2011 in opposition to controversial reform efforts, fired off an angry letter to University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall on Tuesday. Full Story
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Bill Would End Diversion of Auto Theft Prevention Funds
A bill by state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would restore dedicated funds to a state agency that has helped recover 1.6 million stolen vehicles in Texas. In recent years, lawmakers diverted the funds to help balance the state budget. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Bill Outline Shows Sweeping Immigration Overhaul
Details of a sweeping federal immigration reform bill emerged Tuesday. The plan includes a path to citizenship that lasts more than a decade, beefed-up border security and an expanded visa system. Full Story
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Inside Intelligence: About Another Round of Redistricting...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about one of the thorniest issues at the intersection of politics and government: redistricting. Full Story
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House Panel Debates Medicaid Expansion Proposal
Despite Gov. Rick Perry remaining strongly opposed to expanding Medicaid, a House panel on Tuesday considered legislation that would expand coverage to poor adults under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Guest Column: Texas Should Leave the Rainy Day Fund Alone
The state's Rainy Day Fund should be kept as insurance against real financial downturns. If the state needs money for water programs, it should get that money by cutting other programs that are less important. Full Story
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Guest Column: We Don't Need the Rainy Day Money Yet
It's proper to use the state's Rainy Day Fund for a $2 billion water plan, but it isn't necessary until 2015, and using it now would force lawmakers to bust the constitutional cap on budget growth. Full Story
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Guest Column: Use the Rainy Day Fund for Education
The Rainy Day Fund has been used for public education before and should be used for it now — to reverse drastic cuts made in education spending during the 2011 legislative session. Full Story
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Guest Column: Use the Rainy Day Fund Before We Go Dry
Using the Rainy Day Fund now will help address the state's water needs and keep general state spending on water down for decades to come. Full Story
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The Polling Center: Rubio, Rest of GOP Say No to Amnesty
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hit the Sunday talk shows to discuss an immigration reform plan that he said would not provide amnesty. In Texas, a strong majority of Texans oppose a comprehensive overhaul, with the "pathway to citizenship" a likely stumbling block. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Teachers' Groups Lobbying House to Nix Charter School Bill
The state Senate last week voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that would expand the number of charter school licenses in Texas, but the bill faces challenges in the House — and strong opposition from some teachers' groups. Full Story
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Bill Would Stop Lawyers Who Help Counties Sue Polluters
In Texas, private lawyers can receive millions of dollars for winning big lawsuits filed on behalf of counties against companies that pollute. But state lawmakers may soon put an end to that. Full Story
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Losing a Once-in-a-Lifetime Political Donor
With the death this weekend of Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, Texas Republicans lost one of their stalwarts, and one of their biggest and most reliable donors. So did a few Democrats. Full Story
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For Immigration Law, a Divided Pathway Emerges
After initial hopes of harmony on immigration reforms in both Austin and Washington, Texas lawmakers are holding back and Texans in Washington are taking opposing tacks on border security. Full Story
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Report Urges Reduced Prostitution Punishment
A new report out Tuesday urges lawmakers to reduce penalties for prostitution and send more defendants to diversion and intervention programs. Advocates argue it will save the state money. Full Story
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The Brief: April 16, 2013
With the legislative clock starting to tick, Gov. Rick Perry on Monday tasked state lawmakers with business tax relief. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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