Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be undecided on whether he will sign a proposed statewide ban on texting while driving that is now on his desk.
Tom Craddick
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Outlook good for statewide texting-while-driving ban, key lawmakers say
Key lawmakers are optimistic about the passage of a bill that would ban texting-and-driving across Texas, despite failed attempts over the last few sessions.
Posted inState Government
Texas House passes statewide ban on texting while driving
Members voted 113-32 to tentatively approve the legislation, which will get a final vote in the House before it can proceed to the Senate. A Senate committee has passed a similar measure.
Posted in
Politics
For fifth time, lawmakers to decide ban on texting while driving
Texas remains one of four states without a statewide ban on texting while driving, but Rep. Tom Craddick and Sen. Juddith Zaffirini plan to try again.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: In Texas, You Can Fight City Hall
The Texas Legislature has become the court of last resort for companies and industries fighting local regulations in the state’s cities and counties. And for those interests, Austin can be a very favorable venue for appeals.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texting Bill’s Demise a Victory for Tea Party Freshmen
It was a mostly new cast of characters in the Texas Senate, a chamber historically ruled by seniority, that flexed its political muscle to stop a statewide texting-while-driving ban this year.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 29, 2015
The Dallas Morning News takes a detailed look at the evolution of the deal on tax cuts this session and finds that at a few critical junctures, the deal almost derailed entirely.
Posted in
Politics
Proposal Targets Residency Requirement for Statewide Elected Officials
Statewide elected officials would no longer be required to live in Austin under a constitutional amendment that could be headed to voters on a general election ballot. The House tentatively backed the measure on Monday.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 21, 2015
Budget conferees on Wednesday settled on funding levels for public education and border security, but big decisions on property tax cuts and roads funding remain for Thursday.
Posted inState Government
Lawmakers Lend an Ear to Concerns Over Payday Loans
Lawmakers from both chambers gathered Wednesday to lend support to a range of bills that would limit the loan size and number of installments offered by payday and auto title lenders.