Since relinquishing their seats in January, 11 former House members and one former state senator have registered as lobbyists with the Texas Ethics Commission — and several of them are working for clients in industries they regulated in the Legislature.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The results of the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll on everything from the top race of 2014 to the gun debate, Aaronson on Medicaid expansion, Aguilar on a financial thaw in the Mexican oil patch, Batheja on cents and sensibility, M. Smith on school choice, Rocha and Dehn on TWIA reform, Galbraith on water and fracking, Murphy’s interactive map of poverty in the state, E. Smith’s TribLive interview with House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock and Root on a lobby couple living large and reporting small: The best of our best content from March 4-8, 2013.
Posted in
Public Education
TribLive: A Conversation with Jimmie Don Aycock
Full video of my 3/7 conversation with state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee.
Posted in
Public Education
New School Choice Bill Would Allow Local Accountability Plans
House Bill 300 from state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, would allow local school boards to opt out of most state regulations to set their own accountability goals.
Posted in
Public Education
TribLive: Aycock on Testing and Accountability
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, talked about correct number of tests a student should take and how he’d revise the state’s accountability system.
Posted in
Public Education
TribLive: Aycock on School Choice
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, talked about the prospects for school choice legislation this session — and why a business tax credit might not pass muster.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Police Want Power to Take Weapons From Mentally Ill
The mental health code doesn’t give police the right to take a gun from someone who is having a mental health crisis. Mental health advocates, judges and law enforcement officials are urging state lawmakers to address gaps like that one.
Posted in
Public Education
Senator Files Tax Credit Scholarship Bill
State Sen. Ken Paxton has filed a bill that would enact a business tax credit scholarship program touted by state Sen. Dan Patrick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a December media conference.
Posted in
Public Education
Senate Panel Backs More Money for Public Schools
A panel of senators voted Thursday to put $1.5 billion in additional public school funding in the state’s two-year budget. That includes more money for pre-kindergarten programs, the state’s Virtual School Network and Teach for America.
Posted in
Health care
TribLive: A Conversation About Health Care
Full video of Emily Ramshaw’s 2/27 TribLive conversation about health care with state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, and state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown.
