Full video of my 5/9 TribLive conversation with first-term state Reps. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, and Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Energy
TribLive: Tea Party Freshmen on the Rainy Day Fund
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Reps. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth; Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford; and Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, explained their objection to dipping into the Rainy Day Fund to jump-start the state water plan.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Time Running Out for Cellphone Tracking Bill
The House clock may not be on the side of a bill to regulate the use of cellphone records in law enforcement investigations.
Posted in
Politics
House Backs Updating Rules on Political Ad Disclosures
The House on Wednesday tentatively approved a bill that would strengthen the state’s rules on disclosures for political advertisements on radio and television and add requirements for political ads on social media websites.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
House Disclosure Bill Won’t Get a Vote
UPDATED: Rep. Giovanni Capriglione’s bill to require legislators to disclose their business contracts with government entities won’t get a vote in the House — unless he can tack it onto an Ethics Commission reform bill.
Posted in
Public Education
With Bill Pending, School Choice Supporters Rally
As major charter school legislation awaits consideration in the House, school choice supporters gathered at a Capitol rally to hear from several lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.
Posted inState Government
News App: Tracking the Status of House Bills
Most of the legislation filed this session by members of the Texas House never made it out of committee. This new app tells you the number of bills filed, referred to committee and left, forever, in committee after the deadline passed.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
King Pulls Measure on Public Integrity Unit Oversight
State Rep. Phil King on Tuesday pulled an amendment that would transfer power over the state’s public integrity away from Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg. But King said he has the support to attach it to future bills.
Posted in
Economy
House Gives Early OK to Franchise Tax Measure
UPDATED: The House’s most sweeping attempt at tax reform this year passed on a preliminary vote on Tuesday after hours of at times acrimonious debate. House Bill 500 which would spend an estimated $667 million over the next biennium.
Posted in
Public Education
Senate’s High School Graduation Measure Differs From House Plan
The Senate version of House Bill 5, which it approved Monday, still allows students to complete diplomas in specialized areas, or “endorsements.” But it changes the courses required to graduate under those endorsements.