Category Archives: State News
Texas Senate Approves Teacher Bonuses, Benefits — But Not Pay Raises
The Texas Senate passed a bill that would provide funding for teacher bonuses and retirement benefits, slashing a controversial provision that would require school districts to increase teacher salaries without additional state money.
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Texans Angered Over SH 130 Bankruptcy Deal That Wipes Out Money Owed to Taxpayers
Another bad toll road deal. Bankruptcy court just wiped out the $430 million loan owed to taxpayers on SH 130.
Read moreWarren Buffett Unveils Deal to Buy Big Piece of Texas Electric Grid
Warren Buffet is making a play for Texas’ largest electric transmission utility. Berkshire Hathaway, his multinational conglomerate, has unveiled an deal to buy Oncor.
Read moreDoes the Texas Lottery Fully Fund Public Education?
Under state law, lottery revenue — including ticket sales and money from unclaimed prizes — must contribute to Texas causes and programs. However, only 27 percent of that money goes toward Texas education.
Read moreTexas Liquor Agency Rebuked After Investigation of Spec’s
Leaders at the Texas Capitol love to bash what they call out-of-control bureaucrats at city halls and in Washington, D.C., but a recent case pitting the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission against Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods looks like state regulatory overreach on steroids.
Read moreCiting Religious Refusal of Adoption Rule, California Bans State Travel to Texas [VIDEO]
California state agencies, universities and commissions won’t be allowed to send their employees to Texas after the California attorney general declared a Texas law discriminatory.
Read moreTexas Taps Private Vendor To Manage First State-Run Gold Depository in U.S.
Two years after Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas would build the country’s first state-run gold depository, the project took a major step forward Wednesday.
Read moreGov. Abbott Calls Special Session on Bathrooms, Abortion, School Finance
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday called a special session of the Texas Legislature starting July 18. Abbott said that after legislators address a bill to keep some state agencies from shuttering, he’ll add another 19 items to the agenda. During his announcement, Abbott also said he signed into law several bills from the regular session. (List of signed bills included in the story)
Read moreGov. Abbott Signs Statewide Ban on Texting While Driving
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law a bill that creates a statewide ban on texting while driving.
Read moreNew Report Outlines Practical Options For Texas Communities Facing Rural Hospital Closure
Researchers say regional approach, partnerships key to developing healthcare alternatives for communities
Read moreRepublican Lawmaker: I Called Immigration Authorities On Capitol Protesters [VIDEO]
On the last day of the regular session of the Texas Legislature, hundreds protested at the Capitol — and Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi called ICE on them. He also nearly came to blows with Democratic colleagues.
Read moreAbbott Signs Bill Protecting Sermons From Subpoenas
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law legislation shielding pastors’ sermons from government subpoena power.
Read moreTexas Senate Passes Bill Overhauling Houston’s Troubled Pension Systems
Texas Senators overwhelmingly passed a bill Monday that aims to overhaul Houston’s troubled pension funds, but not before including a last-minute amendment that could switch future first responders and City Hall employees to a new kind of retirement system.
Read moreControversial Insurance Bill Moving in Legislature
Texas property owners could face new hurdles when they try to sue their insurer over storm claims under controversial legislation being cheered by groups seeking curbs on lawsuits but jeered by consumer advocates and some businesses.
Read moreLawmakers Want To Rein in Texas Universities — Four Years After Gutting Their Oversight Board
Some Texas lawmakers have complained that universities seem to be taking on ambitious projects that don’t serve the needs of the state but, lawmakers gave them that power back in 2013. The idea was that university leaders — and their governing boards of regents — were in the best position to know what’s best for their students and institutions. Now, lawmakers are having second thoughts.
Read moreTexas A&M Opens World-Class Human Clinical Research Facility
Texas A&M University opened its new Human Clinical Research Facility (HCRF) on Tuesday, and the building will be home to some of the world’s leading research and education in human health, performance, nutrition and well-being.
Read moreProposal to Reduce Marijuana Penalties Advances in Texas House of Representatives
HB 81 received bipartisan approval in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee last Monday and will soon be scheduled for a full House vote; the measure would remove the threat of arrest, jail time, and a criminal record for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana.
Read moreLiquor Regulators Partying on Taxpayers’ Tab
Texas alcohol regulators know how to party: records show they’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars to travel to swanky resorts where liquor flows and industry lobbyists abound.
Read moreTravis County Sanctuary Penalty Could Run Into Millions
Travis County could lose tens of millions of dollars in public funds if Texas lawmakers pass “sanctuary city” legislation.
Read moreThe U.S. Border Tax Would Hit Texas Hard
Should the border tax pass as-is (currently not a very likely scenario), many companies relying on imports, such as retailers and refiners processing foreign oil, could take a hit, as could a globalized and foreign trading economy such as Texas.
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