President Obama today blamed Republicans for his administration’s failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform, saying several conservative lawmakers who once supported the measure have buckled under political pressure.
sanctuary cities
Posted in
Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Ramshaw on the lioness of the Texas House, Dehn and Tan review 20 years of Rick Perry’s political ads, Murphy’s latest database includes the governor’s political accounts over the last decade, Aaronson’s visualizations of what was said in the biggest legislative debates, M. Smith on the woman in the middle chair at the State Board of Education, Galbraith on how the drought is forcing ranchers to sell their herds, Grissom has the story on a cattle rustler who’s asking the courts to give him an old-fashioned sentence, Hamilton covers Rick O’Donnell’s latest salvo at higher education, Aguilar on whether and how the sanctuary cities issue will translate at the ballot box next year, yours truly on Ron Paul’s candidacy and the candidate in his own words: The best of our best from July 18 to 22, 2011.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Visualizing Days of Lege Debate: Criminal Justice
In the legislative session, state lawmakers passed bills to help exonerated Texans who have been convicted of crimes but later determined to be innocent. Use this interactive to search for the big debates on criminal justice.
Posted inImmigration
Visualizing Days of Lege Debate: Immigration
The controversial “sanctuary cities” bill failed to pass, but other immigration-related bills advanced and were signed by the governor. Explore this interactive to pinpoint the days lawmakers debated issues related to immigration.
Posted in
Demographics
Will “Sanctuary Cities” Debate Galvanize Latino Voters?
The contentious sanctuary cities legislation debate left a bitter aftertaste for some Texas Latinos, but will it translate into change at the ballot box next year?
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Demographics
Proof of Legal Status Now Required for State-Issued ID Cards
An amendment attached to SB 1 during the special session will require applicants for driver’s licenses and other state-issued identification cards to produce government-issued documents affirming their legal status.
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Demographics
Video: The Week In Texas Politics: June 27 – July 1, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
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Demographics
Perry and Latinos Coexist Uneasily in Politics
Gov. Rick Perry position on “sanctuary cities” doesn’t play well with Latino voters but his record of job creation and his business-friendly approach may cause some to look beyond that if he decides to seek the White House.
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Demographics
Video: Texas Tea Party Voters Disappointed
Tea Partiers thought this session was their time to shine, after helping to elect and elevate the GOP to supermajority status in the state House. As The Texas Tribune’s Thanh Tan reports, they’re disappointed some of their pet issues were not resolved.
Posted in
Demographics
A Rare Win for Democrats
Call it the biggest consolation prize in recent history of the state legislature. Democrats, outnumbered in both chambers, actually won the battle over immigration after losing out to the Republican supermajority on abortion and Voter ID legislation and deep cuts to public services, mainly health care and education.