They are uncontested pieces of legislation that seemingly pass without much consideration. But the lawmakers, staff and various groups who have a hand in local and uncontested bills say the measures are “well vetted.”
83rd Legislative Session
Posted inState Government
Budget Agreement Hinges on Key Legislation
UPDATED: Despite looming deadlines, the House postponed on Monday a vote on Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would allow voters to decide whether to set up a fund for water infrastructure projects.
Posted in
State Government
House Gives Final Approval to Craft Brewing Overhaul
UPDATED: A dramatic overhaul of Texas’ craft brewing industry easily won final approval in the House on Monday.
Posted in
Public Education
CSCOPE to No Longer Offer Lesson Plans to Texas Schools
Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick announced on Monday that CSCOPE, the state’s curriculum delivery system, would no longer offer lesson plans to Texas school districts.
Posted in
Health care
Legislators Devote New Funding to Mental Health
Legislators are preparing to dedicate hundreds of millions more dollars to mental health care for the first time in years. Haven for Hope in San Antonio serves as a model of the services and success they aim to emulate.
Posted inState Government
House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget
After days of negotiations, House and Senate representatives agreed to a budget plan that would add roughly $4 billion in extra funding for public education. It also paves the way for a $2 billion fund for water infrastructure projects.
Posted in
State Government
How Lawmakers’ Pensions Would Grow Under Proposed Budget
The proposed state budget would increase state judge’s base salaries by 12 percent — and would do the same thing to state legislators’ pensions. Check out the added benefit by member.
Posted inState Government
House Democrats: Budget Deal Still Not in Place
UPDATED: Half a day after Senate budget leaders said the contours of a budget deal were in place, confusion and uncertainty reigned in the Capitol as key negotiators argued over competing proposals.
Posted in
State Government
For 83rd Lege, More Civility Than Drama
Texas lawmakers have 10 days left in the regular session. They haven’t embarrassed themselves, spent much time in bitter fights or generated the sorts of headlines that have made voters think so little of Washington.
Posted in
Health care
End-of-Life Bill Sparks Anger, Accusations
Texas Right to Life is working overtime to defeat a measure supporters say would improve state laws governing end-of-life medical decisions. With time running out, the fight over the legislation has shifted from political to personal.