Lawmakers are long gone from the statehouse, but their decisions have consequences that will be seen throughout the next two years. The Tribune’s Thanh Tan spent the month of August explaining 31 ways Texans’ lives are going to change.
82nd Legislative Session
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Health care
31 Days, 31 Ways: Nursing Homes Brace for Higher Costs, Sicker Patients
DAY 31 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Nursing homes were spared the draconian cuts proposed by lawmakers at the beginning of the 2011 session. Still, despite growing caseloads and rising medical costs, they move forward with less state and federal support.
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Health care
Updated: Judge Rules Abortion Sonogram Law Can’t Take Effect Yet
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks has ruled that the state can’t yet enforce the abortion sonogram law slated to go into effect on Thursday.
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Demographics
31 Days, 31 Ways: Despite State Budget Cuts, Border Security Funding Increases
DAY 30 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: During a legislative session where hardly any services were spared the budget ax, funding for border security actually increased.
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Health care
31 Days, 31 Ways: State Cuts Nursing Education Funding
DAY 29 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The state has dramatically reduced support for nursing education, meaning Texas will continue to face a critical shortage of registered nurses.
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Criminal Justice
31 Days, 31 Ways: Tort Reform Bill Gives Texas High Court New Powers
DAY 28 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Under a new tort reform law, the Texas Supreme Court will make rules to expedite certain lawsuits and to allow judges to dismiss meritless ones early on.
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Health care
31 Days, 31 Ways: State Underfunds HIV Medication Program
DAY 27 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Lawmakers didn’t cut spending for the Texas HIV Medication Program, but it remains nearly $20 million short.
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Economy
31 Days, 31 Ways: Days, Services at State Parks Cut Back
DAY 26 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: 23 of the state’s 94 parks face reductions in staff or operations.
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State Government
31 Days, 31 Ways: Texas to Require Online Retailers to Collect Sales Taxes
DAY 25 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The state is preparing to begin requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes from their customers over the strenuous objections of Amazon.
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State Government
31 Days, 31 Ways: Stringent Voter ID Law Means Changes at the Polls
DAY 24 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The state is preparing to enforce more stringent voter ID requirements.
