Advocates have pushed for years to put a constitutional amendment before voters to ensure Texas parks and historic sites get the maximum funding authorized from a sales tax on sporting goods. They have finally succeeded.
Carlos Anchondo
Carlos Anchondo wrote about water and environmental issues as a fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2018-19. He received a master’s degree in journalism program from the University of Texas at Austin. Carlos previously reported for The Austin American-Statesman and Catholic Spirit, the newspaper for the Diocese of Austin. Carlos is an avid runner and enjoys time spent on Austin’s Greenbelt.
Posted inState Government
Eminent domain reform died in the Texas Legislature this session
Despite hundreds of hours of negotiations between Texas landowners and industry groups, legislation to address concerns over the eminent domain process could not be finalized, with lawmakers pledging to make it a top priority for future sessions.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Legislation with $1.7 billion for flood control and mitigation projects goes to governor
Lawmakers behind the bills said the legislation will create a more resilient Texas and better prepare the state for storms.
Posted in
State Government
Bill to better protect landowners during land condemnations passes Texas House
Although it cut some provisions from the Senate version, the House committee substitute to Senate Bill 421 keeps public meeting requirements and protects against low-ball offers for landowners facing eminent domain actions.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes bill to spend more than $3 billion to help pay for flood control projects
With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters.
Posted in
Environment
Judge orders alleged polluter of Skull Creek to stop accepting, disposing of waste
After a day of testimony, lawyers from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and Inland Environmental and Remediation agreed that the company will begin cleaning up its Altair site.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Once again, bills to study the impacts of climate change in Texas have stalled
Democratic state lawmakers filed multiple bills this year to require the state to prepare for a warming planet. None of them have been scheduled for public hearings.
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Higher Education
Bill to reinstate Texas A&M and UT football game never gained ground
After it failed to move out of the House Higher Education Committee on Monday, a proposal to bring back the annual game seems all but dead.
Posted in
Environment
As demand for recyclables plummets abroad, Texas lawmakers back plan to boost market at home
A bill designed to encourage Texas manufacturers to use more recyclable materials won final approval Monday. It comes as China and India have implemented policies restricting the import of plastics and other materials.
Posted in
Environment
A creek flowing to the Colorado River turned black. Now the state has sued the alleged polluter.
Residents near Altair began complaining that Skull Creek reeked of chemicals. The Texas attorney general’s office says a local company is to blame.