Analysis: A Judicious Swipe at Pensions for State Lawmakers
Between now and the next legislative session, Texas lawmakers will be tinkering with an obscure formula that links their own state pensions to the salaries of state judges. Full Story
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Lawmakers Question DPS Director on Race Reporting
State troopers can end inaccurate reporting of the race and ethnicity of drivers they pull over by simply asking them for that information, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told lawmakers Wednesday. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond for the Texas Tribune -
Birdwell Asks AG to Clarify Where Colleges Can Ban Handguns
In an apparent effort to shut down talk of banning guns in college classrooms, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has asked Attorney General Ken Paxton to clarify where universities can prohibit handguns with the state's campus carry law goes into effect Aug. 1. Full Story
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![Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, listens during a debate over Senate Bill 11 on March 18, 2015.]()
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Report Recommends Police Reform Mental Health Policies
Holding up San Antonio as an example, a report released Tuesday by the Vera Institute of Justice recommends law enforcement agencies change their practices regarding mental illness, sex workers and addiction. Full Story
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![A report released Tuesday by the Vera Institute of Justice offers several policy recommendations for law enforcement agencies that emphasize treatment and diversion for sex workers and individuals with mental illnesses and addictions.]()
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Video: Higher Ed Exceptionalism
At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, I talked about the pursuit of excellence with Southwestern University President Edward Burger; Paul Foster, the chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents; Woody Hunt, chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and University of Texas at El Paso President Diana Natalicio. Full Story
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Video: Higher Ed and the 84th Legislature
At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, Matthew Watkins talked to state Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo; state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin; and Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes about how higher ed issues played in the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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Video: Starr on Campus Carry
At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, Baylor University President and Chancellor Ken Starr explained why the school would likely opt out of the state's new campus carry law. Full Story
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Video: Seliger on UT's Plans for a Houston Campus
At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, expressed skepticism about the University of Texas System's plans for a new campus in Houston. Full Story
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Video: The Future of Public Education Policy
On 11/13, I talked about the future of public education policy in Texas with state. Rep. Mary González, D-Clint; Lizzette González Reynolds of the Texas Education Agency; El Paso ISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera; and Eduardo Rodriguez of the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development. Full Story
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Black Lives Matter Searches for Its Next Step
More than two years after the heat of anger over Trayvon Martin's shooting in Florida fused into Black Lives Matter, an Austin chapter is trying to mold its energy into an agenda to influence state lawmakers. Full Story
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Texas State Issues Recommended Campus Carry Rules
In recommending how Texas State University should comply with a new state campus carry law, a task force says it shouldn’t provide storage for handguns but should ban the guns from places where students are counseled or children come to campus. Full Story
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Wendy Davis Will Ask High Court to Block Abortion Limits
Former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, who rose to national prominence after filibustering a restrictive abortion law in 2013, will join other state lawmakers from across the country in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to strike down those regulations. Full Story
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![State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, at a gubernatorial debate in Edinburg on Sept. 19, 2014.]()
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TCU Opts Out of Campus Carry
Texas Christian University decided Friday to opt out of campus carry, the new law that would have allowed handguns on campus. Full Story
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UT/TT Poll: With Tea Party Option, Texans Show Split in Support
If the Tea Party had its own candidate for Congress, 17 percent of Texans would back that candidate, while 22 percent would vote Republican and 33 percent would vote Democrat, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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New Statewide Jail Form Aimed at Suicide Risks
In the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and other recent suicides, the state agency that oversees jails is issuing a new inmate intake form so jailers will ask more specific, direct questions when booking people. Full Story
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![A memorial for Sandra Bland at the site of her arrest.]()
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Straus Forms Select Committee on Mental Health
The committee will review and make recommendations on substance abuse, care for veterans, identifying illnesses early and improving delivery of mental health care. Full Story
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Analysis: A Peculiar Way to Disenfranchise Voters
Texas lawmakers have designed a congressional district too slippery for either political party to control, making it impossible for anyone to stay in office long enough to build up the clout needed to get things done for the folks at home. Full Story
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Texas Gets a D- Grade in 2015 State Integrity Investigation
Texas ranked 38th out of 50 in the latest State Integrity Investigation, an assessment of government accountability and transparency. That suggests that the state may be heading in the wrong direction when it comes to ethics. Full Story
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![Governor Perry delivers a final speech to a joint session of the Texas legislature on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
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Texas Legislature Backs Abbott's Position On "Sanctuary Cities"
A majority of lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate back Gov. Greg Abbott's recent moves to rein in "sanctuary cities" that don't comply fully with federal immigration policies, a Tribune tally shows. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is shown in November 2015 proposing reforms against "sanctuary cities" that he wants Texas lawmakers to consider in the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Seeks to Shape Republican Primary Conversation
Gov. Greg Abbott is planning to release a set of issues he would like Republican primary voters to prioritize next year. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with reporters before a speech Friday in Lubbock. Abbott said he plans to release a list of issues he would like Republican primary voters to focus on next year.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek
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