House Panel Endorses Texting-While-Driving Ban
A bill that would ban texting while driving passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday when lawmakers voted it out of the House Transportation Committee. Full Story
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The Brief: March 6, 2015
To close the week, we highlight a couple of trend stories detailing the continued population boom in the Lone Star State. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 4, 2015
The ability of Austin tech firm 21CT to secure a $20 million Medicaid fraud software contract through a no-bid program run by the state's Department of Information Resources drew intense scrutiny from Senate budget writers on Tuesday. Full Story
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![This is a photo of one of two $2800 chairs ordered by Jack Stick's office when he was deputy inspector general. The chairs which resemble the ones used in the Texas Legislature committee hearing rooms, were discovered after the resignations of Stick, and Doug Wilson, inspector general.]()
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Proponents Renew Their Bid to Put Brakes on Texting While Driving
For the fifth straight legislative session, Texas lawmakers will consider bills proposing a statewide ban on texting while driving. There’s more momentum to get it passed, but a difference of opinions among the state’s new leadership could stand in its way. Full Story
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Rule on Natural Gas Rate Hikes is Fuel for Debate
The Texas Railroad Commission recently endorsed changes to how cities can challenge natural gas utility rate increases. Commissioners say the rule should help cut expenses for ratepayers. But some critics say the rule puts cities at a disadvantage. Full Story
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Analysis: It's a Lot Easier to Rule With a Mandate
It's easier to govern if you have a mandate, and you build the mandate while you're campaigning. So far, the agenda for the next set of officeholders is a little murky. Full Story
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A Longshot for Speaker, With Money to Spend
Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, has not been in the Texas House for two years, but the freshman lawmaker and former California congressional candidate has his eye on the top job there: speaker. Full Story
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Institute's Report Says Texting While Driving Unsafe by Any Means
In the midst of a battle among lawmakers over a bill to ban texting while driving, a new report by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute suggests that voice-to-text technology is no safer than typing out a text message. Full Story
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House Passes Bill That Makes Texting While Driving a Crime
UPDATED: A bill that would make texting while driving a crime passed the House on Wednesday after a lengthy debate. The measure now heads to the Senate. Full Story
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Lawmakers Debate Texting-While-Driving Ban
Lawmakers on Tuesday took their first crack at a bill designed to ban texting while driving, including reviewing statistics suggesting that bans in other states have not reduced accidents and are difficult to enforce. Full Story
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Lawmakers Renew Push to Ban Texting While Driving
At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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![Jeanne Brown, whose daughter Alex Brown died in a 2009 accident while texting and driving, spoke Jan. 29, 2013, in support of a bill making texting and driving illegal. Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though multiple cities have passed ordinances making it illegal.]()
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The Hot Seat: A Conversation with West Texas Lawmakers
At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Reps. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other by-products of the 82nd Session. Full Story
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The Hot Seat: West Texas Lawmakers on Public Ed Cuts
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Rep. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, talked about the impact of cuts to public education. Full Story
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The Hot Seat: West Texas Lawmakers on Romney
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Reps. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, declined to endorse their party's likely 2012 presidential nominee. Full Story
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Christi Craddick: The TT Interview
Christi Craddick, daughter of former House speaker and current state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, on why she wants to run for the Texas Railroad Commission, whether her dad's politics will get in the way, and why the oil and gas industry needs her as a regulator. Full Story
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Campaign Chatter
The daughter of a former Texas House speaker tops the latest round of campaign announcements. Full Story
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Christi Craddick Will Run for Railroad Commissioner
Christi Craddick, daughter of former House Speaker Tom Craddick, says she'll run for the Republican nomination for the Texas Railroad Commission next year — for the seat now held by Republican Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones. Full Story
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Woolley Won't Seek Re-election to House
State Rep. Beverly Woolley, R-Houston, says her current term — her ninth — will be her last; she's not running for re-election next year. Full Story
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Thompson Feeds Her "Little Dogs" and Throws a Bone to Bigger Ones
Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s almost 40-year House tenure is defined by her defense of the underserved. But her legislative career is peppered with occasional paradoxes. Full Story
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Texting While Driving Ban Gets Early OK In House
This is no LOL matter: Texting while driving could soon be prohibited statewide. But using other applications on a smart phone, like GPS or Facebook, would not be banned — as long as you're reading, not typing. Full Story
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