The Debate Over Sonograms
HB 15, authored by Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, would require a doctor performing an abortion to conduct a sonogram on the woman at least 24 hours ahead of the procedure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-03-02_at_4.35.31_PM.png)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
House Delays Abortion Sonogram Debate
House lawmakers delayed consideration of abortion sonogram legislation until tomorrow, after Democrats raised two points of order against the bill. Some speculate finding technicalities will be Democrats' go-to strategy this session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Experts, Business Owners Weigh In on Smoking Ban
Lighting up in bars, restaurants and in indoor areas of most businesses, health care facilities and sporting venues statewide will be a thing of the past if state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Lake Dallas, gets her way. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/JustinShearer_Cigarette.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Shearer -
Guy Clifton: The TT Interview
The Houston neurosurgeon, author and frequent health care adviser to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on his support for the individual insurance mandate, why cutting provider rates to rescue the budget is misguided and how far Texas would trim Medicaid if given the permission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Flatlined_book_author.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Small, Large Businesses Split on Budget Fixes
Approaches to budget cutting have divided lawmakers and their constituents, but as Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, tension is brewing between two other worried groups: small and large businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/iStock_000001334173Small.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Deuell Eyes Rainy Day Fund
Austin, TX. March 1, 2011 State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-03-01_at_11.17.23_PM.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Deuell: Make Cuts, but Raise Taxes Too
State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now, he told the Tribune this evening. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/deuell-at-senate.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Disability Rights Protesters Block Perry's Office
A dozen protestors from disability rights group ADAPT gathered at Gov. Rick Perry's office this afternoon to block the entrances. Organizers say they wont leave until Perry pledges to oppose cuts to community services. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/ADAPT2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Burka, House Members on the Future of Texas
On Wednesday night, the LBJ Future Forum presented a conversation with six members of the Texas House about the future of Texas. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly moderated. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/paul_burka.jpg)
![Paul Burka, executive editor at Texas Monthly.]()
Credit: Matthew Chastain Wright - Flickr -
Lawmakers Talk Grading, Attendance Policies
The Senate Education Committee has sent legislation on minimum grading and attendance policies to the full chamber, but bills on residential development and special education policy have stalled. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/pencilgraphdown.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Disability Advocates: "No Cuts! No Cuts!"
Disability advocates gathered at the Capitol today to call on lawmakers to use the Rainy Day Fund, to raise new revenue and, above all else, to not cut community-based services for the disabled. Over and over again the crowd chanted, "No cuts! No cuts!" Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB9760.jpg)
![People with disabilities protest at the Texas Capitol against budget cuts to home and community-based services on March 1, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Voter ID Gets Tense Hearing
The voter ID bill came before House lawmakers this morning — and it was a tense scene. Even supporters of the measure had to grapple with testimony from people who endorse the bill on anti-illegal immigration grounds. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Calling It Quits on Smoking Cessation?
Finding ways to cut health care costs is all the rage under the Pink Dome — and curbing smoking is a proven way to do it. But budget proposals slash tobacco cessation programs by more than 80 percent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CigaretteInHand.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Are Texas Hispanics Up for Grabs?
Republican analysts said at today's Texas Tribune "New Day Rising" forum that as Texas' Hispanic population continues to surge, its traditionally Democratic electorate is more and more up for grabs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/20101018-DSC_9742.jpg)
![Voting signs in Austin during the 2010 election cycle.]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
Rev. Carroll Pickett: The TT Interview
The onetime death house chaplain on what it was like to witness the most state executions of anyone in his job (95, by lethal injection), what changed his mind about the death penalty and why lawmakers should continue to fund the chaplain program. Full Story
-
Forensic Commissioners Answer to Legislators
The Senate Nominations Committee voted 4-2 today to recommend approval of the state forensic board Chairman John Bradley's appointment. Sens. José Rodríguez and Kirk Watson voted against Bradley's nomination. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA6256.jpg)
![Williamson County DA John Bradley during his Senate Nomination Committee to the Forensic Science Committee. February 28th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Berman Leads Charge From GOP's Right Flank
In 2009, state Rep. Leo Berman's bills — like the ones restricting illegal immigrants to certain geographical regions and denying them access to higher education — failed to gain traction. But with a Republican supermajority now in control, this could very well be the session of Leo. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LeoBerman001.jpg)
![Former state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, is shown in 2011.]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
For Republicans, the Hazards of Red Meat
The growth of the state’s Hispanic population and the rise of immigration as a political issue put Texas Republicans in a tight spot — especially the ones with statewide aspirations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_Immigration_JV-29.jpg)
![Demonstrators stand in front of the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2011 to show their opposition to immigration legislation.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
Berman: "There Are 'Birthers' All Over Texas"
State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, wants all presidential and vice presidential candidates to show their birth certificate to the Texas Secretary of State in order to get on the ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/BermanYouTube.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Inside Intelligence: Gambling Will Be...
For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders on issues of the moment, we asked whether lawmakers will finally approve new forms of gambling to soften the blow of massive budget-cutting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/inside_intelligence-logo_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cecf33a58df8377beff6aa326db6a8ae/BD%20INC%20Alvarado%2003%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b23a8e80943df7fe200f8a37f9431dfa/BD%20INC%20Gutierrez%2001%202011)