A Senate committee has approved a bill that would limit tuition increases to the rate of inflation unless universities meet “performance measures.” Meanwhile, a House committee is considering a bill to tie tuition increases only to inflation.
Ryan McCrimmon
Ryan McCrimmon was a reporting intern for The Texas Tribune in 2015. A graduate of Northwestern University, Ryan previously covered national politics and foreign affairs for the Medill News Service in Washington, D.C. He has also worked as an anchor and producer for the Northwestern News Network and a local news reporter for the C-ville Weekly in his hometown, Charlottesville, Virginia. Ryan studies journalism and Middle East studies at Northwestern.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House Panel Weighs Property, Gun Rights
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.
Posted in
Economy
House Bill Would Untangle Hair Braiding Rules
For nearly two decades, the state of Texas has been trying to shut down Isis Brantley’s hair braiding business. Prodded by a federal court, state lawmakers are now considering exempting hair braiders from regulation and leaving Brantley alone.
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Politics
Houston, Dallas Would Be Largest Cities to Allow Open Carry
A Tribune analysis of gun laws nationwide shows passing “open carry” legislation would make Texas an outlier among states with large urban populations. Many of the nation’s biggest cities are located in states that prohibit it.
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Economy
House OKs Two-Year Budget, Approves Boost to Current One
After an 18-hour marathon Tuesday night to sign off on a $210 billion two-year state budget, lawmakers were back in the Texas House on Wednesday afternoon for a bit of unfinished business: plugging holes in the current budget.
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Criminal Justice
Campus Carry Bill Headed to House
The Texas Senate has already passed a bill allowing handguns on college campuses. Now the House is poised to consider its own measure.
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Criminal Justice
Powdered Alcohol Ban Sent to Full House
Texas has joined a growing number of states moving quickly to outlaw powdered alcohol, a new product that health officials say could make it easier for minors to conceal and consume alcohol.
Posted in
State Government
Committee Sends Open Carry Bill to House Floor
A Texas House committee on Thursday approved a bill from state Rep. Larry Phillips that would allow the open carry of handguns in the state. The legislation now goes to the House floor. A similar bill passed the Senate last week.
Posted in
Economy
Senate Passes Patrick’s Tax Cut Package
The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s multibillion-dollar tax relief package to cut property and business margins taxes, tossing the ball into the House’s court.
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Health care
House Committee Considers Banning E-Cigarette Use by Minors
The House Public Health Committee on Tuesday discussed five bills that would extend current restrictions on tobacco products to vapor products like e-cigarettes. The Senate passed similar legislation last week.