The latest Department of Public Safety news from The Texas Tribune.
As the Texas Legislature debates moving ethics investigations out of Travis County, an exchange between prosecutors and state police illustrates some of the problems ahead. Full Story
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Responding to a request by the Texas Department of Public Safety to renew an investigation into the department’s border security contracts, the head of the state’s anti-corruption unit said Monday that it was not equipped to continue the investigation. Full Story
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Looking to clear the Texas Department of Public Safety's name, the agency’s top official is asking the head of the state's anti-corruption unit to renew a halted investigation into $20 million no-bid border security contracts. Full Story
UPDATED: Business groups are weighing in on gun legislation, trying to preserve a business owner's rights to ban guns from private property. A House committee took up the question up Tuesday. Full Story
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After a marathon 17-plus hour debate that started just after noon last Tuesday, the House finally gave its preliminary nod to its version of the state budget, so we start this week's playlist of the week’s news with “For the Love of Money” by The O’Jays. Full Story
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When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sets foot Friday in the Rio Grande Valley, it won't be your typical photo op on the border. Full Story
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After several reassurances from House members about what a border security bill is not intended to do, the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety voted out the sweeping measure on Wednesday. Full Story
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The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday tentatively approved $105 million in funding for several DPS troopers, but not before some border lawmakers on the panel questioned how the DPS would prove the money is being spent wisely. Full Story
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After state Rep. Poncho Nevárez kicked gun advocates out of his Capitol office, he received death threats. On Wednesday, Texas House members wore "I'm Poncho" stickers to show support for Nevárez. Full Story
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It's one thing to say highway funds should go to highways. The problem is with all of the other programs those funds support. Full Story
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We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Immigration track. The sessions include panels on border security, Latinos and the Republican Party, the comprehensive immigration reform debate, and what to do with the DREAMers. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry’s office pushed back Tuesday against criticism that he overreached in funding the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the border. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry announced on Monday that the state will activate as many as 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to enhance security on the Texas-Mexico border; here is the video of his remarks. Full Story
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Texas sends people who want to make cash payments under the Driver Responsibility Program to ACE Cash Express, which last week agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations that it harasssed borrowers. Full Story
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Warning of the dangers faced by undocumented and unaccompanied children crossing the border into the U.S., Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday called on the Obama administration to more strictly enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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Since the passage of a 2007 law allowing state employees a 30-minute exercise break three times per week, several state agencies have begun offering popular lunchtime workout programs, like weight training and Zumba. Full Story
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As the campaigns for gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis use social media to expand the discourse on the issues they consider priorities, they must also deal with addressing issues like name calling and personal attacks in such forums. Full Story
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The campaigns for two GOP attorney general candidates — state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton — are accusing each other of benefiting from President Obama's 2009 stimulus package. Those are fighting words in a Texas GOP primary. Full Story
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency next week will complete its assessment of damage from an April fertilizer plant explosion in West. As the city continues to recover, state agencies are implementing changes to further ensure safety. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that 25 mobile locations will begin processing free election identification certificates on Oct. 1. Full Story
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