José Rodríguez: The TT Interview
The first-term state senator on being outgunned by Republicans during the legislative session, what the Democrats accomplished and how he thinks Gov. Rick Perry will do in 2012. Full Story
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![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, on June 26, 2010, at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi.]()
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Sanctuary Cities Bill Clears Texas Senate
Texas peace officers will be allowed to inquire into the immigration status of any person arrested or legally detained under legislation passed by the Texas Senate early Wednesday morning. Full Story
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![Demonstrators stand in front of the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2011 to show their opposition to immigration legislation.]()
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Supreme Court Justices Plead for Legal Aid Dollars
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Justice Nathan Hecht sent lawmakers a letter Wednesday urging them to find $20 million during the special session to help needy people access civil courts. Full Story
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![Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson give the State of the Judiciary in House Chamber February 23, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Approves Major Homeland Security Bill
You wouldn't know it by the miniscule amount of debate Thursday, but the Senate approved what some lawmakers called the most significant piece of homeland security legislation filed this session, a measure civil liberty groups worry is a major encroachment on civil rights. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety patch worn on a uniform during an April 7, 2011 graduation ceremony in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Staples Stands By Website, Calls It Necessary [Updated]
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has no plans to pull down a state-run website that allows border ranchers and farmers to document their daily struggles with drug cartels and undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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Senator Asks Ag Commissioner to Pull Website
State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, today asked Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples to take down the border website his office launched last week, protectyourtexasborder.com, saying it has become a “forum for promoting violence.” Full Story
![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, on June 26, 2010, at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Disability Advocates: "No Cuts! No Cuts!"
Disability advocates gathered at the Capitol today to call on lawmakers to use the Rainy Day Fund, to raise new revenue and, above all else, to not cut community-based services for the disabled. Over and over again the crowd chanted, "No cuts! No cuts!" Full Story
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![People with disabilities protest at the Texas Capitol against budget cuts to home and community-based services on March 1, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Forensic Commissioners Answer to Legislators
The Senate Nominations Committee voted 4-2 today to recommend approval of the state forensic board Chairman John Bradley's appointment. Sens. José Rodríguez and Kirk Watson voted against Bradley's nomination. Full Story
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![Williamson County DA John Bradley during his Senate Nomination Committee to the Forensic Science Committee. February 28th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Jurists, Lawmakers, Lawyers: Aid Funds Running Out
Organizations that provide legal services to those who can't afford them are quickly running out of money even as the need for their help is increasing, advocates said Wednesday at a press conference. Full Story
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Bill Would Prevent Immigration Inquiries by Peace Officers
Freshman state Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, filed SB 600 on Friday, which would prevent law enforcement from asking the immigration status or nationality of a witness to or victim of a crime “except as necessary to investigate the offense.” Full Story
![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, on June 26, 2010, at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
For Senate Democrats, Abortion Bill Reveals Split
Unlike the debate over voter ID, in which Senate Democrats stood united in their opposition, a combination of politics, religion and personal histories have made the sonogram bill more divisive in their caucus. Full Story
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TribBlog: Perry: Sanctuary Cities Stance Being Misinterpreted
Border lawmakers who oppose Gov. Rick Perry's call to abolish “sanctuary cities” in Texas are misinterpreting his stance on the issue, according to his aides. Full Story
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2010: Smiles Instead of Fireworks in EP
Turns out it was all smiles at the El Paso County Democratic Party headquarters today afterall. Full Story
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2010: Fireworks in EP?
Two El Paso candidates who had been on a collision course to run against one another now have big plans for public filing events at the same time and place. In El Paso, where politics are often a full-contact sport, it has the potential to get interesting. Full Story
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2010: Chavez Not Running for Senate
State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, announced today on a local radio show that she plans to run for reelection to the Texas House instead of making a go at the state Senate seat that Eliot Shapleigh is vacating. Full Story
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![State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso]()
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2010: El Paso County Attorney announces Senate candidacy
Today in El Paso, County Attorney Jose Rodriguez announced he is running for the state Senate seat that Democrat Eliot Shapleigh is giving up. Full Story
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2010: Rodriguez Senate announcement Sunday
El Paso County Attorney Jose Rodriguez is expected to announce tomorrow at an El Paso press conference that he will run for the Texas Senate seat that state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh is vacating. Full Story
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2010: Former Tigua leader mulling Senate run
Albert Alvidrez, a former governor of the Tigua tribe in El Paso, is mulling a run for the Texas Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Sen. Eliot Shapleigh. But having Alvidrez in the Senate might not earn the tribe another vote for gambling rights. Full Story
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TribBlog: Chavez to decide on Senate by Turkey Day
As candidates stack up to challenge her, state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said she will make a decision about running for the Texas Senate by Thanksgiving. Full Story
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