The End Game: Special Session Wraps Up Today
The House couldn't get the votes it needed to suspend the rules to take up the TSA anti-groping bill before the clock runs out today. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ccf9f66e49f5a7354f7b715b9313dccb/BD%20INC%20House%2001%202011)
-
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Harless Explains "No" Vote on SB 1
State Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, explains why she voted against the budget measure SB 1 this afternoon, and why she thinks the Tea Party may have influenced legislators. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/harless.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Updated: House Adjourns, May Take Up TSA Bill Tomorrow
The House has adjourned for the evening, and the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee has voted out the Senate version of the TSA "anti-groping" bill. Lawmakers will reconvene and attempt to pass that measure tomorrow morning. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Updated: Combs to Appeal Deposition Ruling
Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs will appeal an order that she participate in a three-hour deposition, in the aftermath of the largest privacy breach by a state agency in Texas history. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers Move to Limit Scrutiny of Perry Travel
Just as Gov. Rick Perry steps out on the national stage, lawmakers back home are moving to limit public access to detailed records showing how much it’s costing to protect him during his travels. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryRLC_fix.jpg)
![Gov. Rick Perry speaks to the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans on June 18, 2011]()
Credit: Jay Root -
Updated: Senate Adjourns, Leaves TSA Issue in House's Lap
The Senate has adjourned Sine Die, leaving the burden of the TSA "anti-groping" bill in the House's lap. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SimpsonFletcherCMS.jpg)
![State Rep. David Simpson (l), R-Longview, and State Rep. Allen Fletcher (r), R-Tomball, look for votes on the House floor during debate on SB9 "sanctuary cities" legislation on June 27, 2011. The measure passed second reading on a voice vote.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Lawmakers Approve Windstorm Insurance Fix
Over objections from some Democrats and from the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Legislature voted to revamp the state's windstorm insurance program, disposing of a prickly issue that could have forced a second special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA1370.jpg)
![Sen. John Carona R-Dallas, answers a question by Sen. Wendy Davis D-Ft. Worth regarding HB 3, the TWIA bill on Senate floor June 28th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Alex Jones Protests Altered "Groping" Bill
Infowars radio host Alex Jones protests in the halls of the Texas Capitol on Monday after legislators pass altered version of the TSA "anti-groping" bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/AlexJones2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
On the Records: Twitter Visual Tool Useful — and Pretty
A new data visualization tool, the Tweet Topic Explorer, makes analyzing a user’s Twitter feed quick, painless and beautiful. Check out what Gov. Rick Perry tweets about most on his personal twitter feed, and see how his tweets compare to others. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryTweetTracker.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Becca Aaronson -
Video: Perry's Speech at Anti-Abortion Rally in LA
Two weeks after Gov. Rick Perry flew to Los Angeles to speak at an anti-abortion rally sponsored by Unidos Por La Vida, the video of his June 11 speech is finally available for viewing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryUnidos.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Final Push: A Special Session Update
Lawmakers must wrap up the special session on Wednesday, with a few outstanding priorities left to tackle. Here's a rundown of where the Texas Legislature stands going into the second-to-last day of the special session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Lawmakers Optimistic About Windstorm Deal
June 27, 2011 State Rep. Larry Taylor of Friendswood explains why he is optimistic about the compromise reached on reforms of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Larry_Taylor.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Video: Donna Howard on Rainy Day Funding for Schools
An amendment from Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, that would have directed surplus money from the Rainy Day Fund to pay for enrollment growth in public schools perished in conference committee, but came up again in debate before the final vote on a fiscal matters bill to which it was attached. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Donna_Howard.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Windstorm Insurance Deal Ready for Final Vote
State legislators say they've reached a compromise on reform of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, potentially averting a second special session this summer. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House TSA Bill Still Alive, Senate Passes Its Own
The Senate passed its version of the TSA "anti-groping" bill tonight. Meanwhile, the House version is still alive — and significantly changed. The House tentatively approved it on a voice vote this afternoon. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Dewhurst: It's Up to the House to Pass Sanctuary Cities
During the Senate's afternoon recess, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst offered his thoughts on the special session's unanswered questions on sanctuary cities legislation, the TWIA compromise and the chances of coming back in July. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA0524.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst speaks to reporters on June 3rd, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Passes TSA "Anti-Groping" Bill Out of Committee
A Senate committee approved a new version of the TSA "anti-groping" bill today, which substitutes the language "probable cause" for "reasonable suspicion." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TSA-airportsecurity.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Anti-Abortion Group Photographing Empty House Seats
The Texas Alliance For Life had a photographer in the House gallery this morning shooting empty seats on the floor —checking for lawmakers who ducked the vote on SB 7, a health bill that has anti-abortion amendments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexAllianceLife.jpg)
![Photos of Texas House Members who showed up for work Monday, June 27, 2011.]()
Credit: Elizabeth McClung / Texas Alliance for Life -
The Midday Brief: June 27, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Sanctuary cities bill isn't dead; UT System and former adviser Rick O'Donnell reach settlement; House passes health reform bill; George Will says Rick Perry is a "potentially potent candidate"; debating how much credit Perry deserves for jobs creation; TSA removes 95-year-old woman's diaper Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryGesturesCMS.jpg)
![Texas Governor Rick Perry gestures as he speaks at the ceremonial bill signing of HB3727 regarding property tax evaluations of aircraft at the Boeing facility in San Antonio on June 23, 2011.]()
Credit: Bob -
Updated: Sanctuary Cities Bill Clinging to Life
State Rep. Burt Solomons says at least one version of the contentious sanctuary cities bill will advance out of committee today, despite the morning cancellation of a House State Affairs meeting. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/db548bcf2b4c7329a12cff45a7a79b59/BD%20INC%20Taylor%2013%20CMS%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8ed19150a7fd85f8c8821b2c9d6480e/BD%20INC%20Combs%2003%20CMS%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b062d7827293758d93cd12c85bce0646/BD%20INC%20Carona%2001%20CMS%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/124efc4bfb88bef9a329ecd6940c8ccf/BD%20INC%20Simpson%2001%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c088a4290c67bad3bfe286cb75ce0771/BD%20INC%20HB12%2002%202011)