KEYE Politics

Patrick's Charter School Bill Faces Test in House

Thu, May 16 2013, 12:31 PM CDT

by Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune

The state’s charter school system could move closer to its first expansion in nearly two decades on Thursday, as the House is set to take up an education reform measure that passed through the Senate earlier this session. ...

House Democrats: GOP Shifting Deal On Texas Budget

Thu, May 16 2013, 12:23 PM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- House Democrats say Republicans are threatening to push the Legislature into summer and revive contentious abortion bills if they don't agree to new terms on a budget deal.

Democratic state Rep. Sylvester Turner on Thursday accused Republican leaders of taking money set aside for education to pay for transportation and tax cuts. ...

Waco Tea Party Says It Was Targeted By IRS

Mon, May 13 2013, 06:31 PM CDT

The scandal at the Internal Revenue Services is not blowing over. Questions are coming from all sectors, asking who knew about the IRS interrogating Tea Party and conservative groups that asked for tax-exempt status.

One of those groups is headquartered in Waco. ...

Hundred Of Texas House Bills Dead At Least For Now

Fri, May 10 2013, 11:59 AM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The final gun for passing legislation proposed by lawmakers in the Texas House has sounded, killing hundreds of bills.

Many never even made it to the floor for debate.

Some could live again. Any issue still has time to win approval in the Senate, or could be revived as an amendment to something else that becomes law at the last minute. ...

President Obama Arrives In Austin

Thu, May 09 2013, 02:25 PM CDT

UPDATE 2 p.m.: I-35 closed at Hwy 183 for President's drive to Downtown, no word on how long it will stay closed

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: President Obama begins his remarks at Manor New Tech High School by saying "Hello Texas" and introducing dignitaries including Congressman Lloyd Doggett. ...

Texan Files Suit Against Federal Health Reform

Tue, May 07 2013, 05:50 PM CDT

A Texan is behind the latest court challenge for the Affordable Care Act. A Houston doctor filed the lawsuit on Tuesday saying the healthcare overhaul violates the constitution.

Inside the State Capitol, surrounded by Republican legislators, Dr. ...

Lawmakers Consider Online Domestic Violence Database

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 11:51 AM CDT

Texas lawmakers are fighting back against an often silent crime: family violence. It's a crime that often goes unreported or unpunished.

Now some lawmakers are working to change that, hoping to create the tools needed to help people be able to track down if a person has a violent past by putting the power at your fingertips. ...

Keeping Repeat DWI Offenders Behind Bars

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 11:51 AM CDT

Keeping you safe on the roads by keeping DWI repeat offenders behind bars longer. On Tuesday, one Texas lawmaker aims to fix a system he views as broken.

Those behind House Bill 517, up for a second reading Tuesday, point to a recent study claiming repeat drunk drivers and others convicted of similar crimes serve on average as little as 10 to 15 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. ...

Perry Jokes About Lawmakers OKing Budget He Likes

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 10:33 AM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Gov. Rick Perry is joking about the Legislature passing a Texas budget that's to his liking.

Addressing a state National Day of Prayer breakfast Monday, Perry said of Texas lawmakers present, "They don't get recognized until they vote the right way on the budget. ...

Plan to Expand Charter Schools Clears Senate

Fri, Apr 12 2013, 10:45 AM CDT

by Brandi Grissom and Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune

As colleagues praised Education Chairman Dan Patrick's efforts at building consensus, a significantly altered version of his expansion of the state's charter school system quickly passed out of the Senate Thursday afternoon. ...

GOP Plan Uses $6 Billion From Texas Rainy Day Fund

Thu, Apr 11 2013, 11:37 AM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A new plan by Senate Republicans would take $6 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund -- and the spending may not stop there.

Republican Sen. Tommy Williams said Thursday he is willing to consider taking more from the projected $12 billion stockpile of cash reserves for schools and health services. ...

School Voucher Bill Headed To Full Texas Senate

Thu, Apr 11 2013, 11:01 AM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A high-profile push for school vouchers statewide is headed to the full Texas Senate.

The Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 23 on Thursday, opening the door for floor debate.

It offers tax credits to businesses that establish scholarships helping low-income students leave poor-performing public schools for private or religious ones. ...

Texas House Panel Debates Fetal Pain Bill

Thu, Apr 11 2013, 09:53 AM CDT

by Becca Aaronson, Texas Tribune

The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday took testimony on the controversial so-called fetal pain bill, a measure backed by Gov. Rick Perry and abortion opponents who argue that 20 weeks is the point at which fetuses can feel pain. ...

Texas Gov. Rick Perry Makes Surprise Visit To Senate Hearing

Wed, Apr 10 2013, 01:09 PM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A surprise visit by Gov. Rick Perry in the Senate lasted as brief as talk of beefing up scrutiny to one of his pet programs.

Perry livened up a mostly empty Senate chamber Wednesday upon walking into a committee meeting on economic development. ...

Budget Turns To Texas House After Passing Senate

Thu, Mar 21 2013, 10:56 AM CDT

Budget writers in the Texas House are set to unveil their own state spending plan after the Senate overwhelmingly approved a $195.5 billion two-year budget proposal.

The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday is expected to deliver a state budget for 2014-15 to the full chamber. ...

Texas Bills To Increase Penalty For Hit And Run Crashes

Wed, Mar 13 2013, 05:42 PM CDT

Two similar bills have been filed in the Texas House and Senate to increase the penalties for people who fail to stop and render aid.

HB 72 was filed by State Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress and SB 275 was filed by State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin. ...

Texas Lawmakers Asked To Give More Protection To Cell Phone Records

Wed, Mar 13 2013, 05:42 PM CDT

Protecting your privacy. A state lawmaker wants to limit the access law enforcement agencies have to your personal cell phone information.

Melina Resio relies on her cell phone for almost everything.

"I was just watching live feed of pope announcement while texting, while tacking pictures of ducks. ...

Texas Legislative Committee Debates Lesser Punishment For Marijuana

Tue, Mar 12 2013, 05:47 PM CDT

The debate over pot possession sparks up at the Texas Capitol Tuesday.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that seeks to eliminate jail time for people busted with small amounts of marijuana.

House Bill 184 is sponsored by State Rep. ...

George P. Bush Formally Enters Race For Texas Land Commissioner

Tue, Mar 12 2013, 03:28 PM CDT

George P. Bush has filed paperwork today stating he will run for the Republican nomination for Texas Land Commissioner in 2014.

George P. Bush, 36, is the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, the nephew of former President George W. Bush and the son of former Florida Gov. ...

Texas Senate Committee Finds Beer Compromise

Tue, Mar 12 2013, 01:32 PM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Brewers and distributors have struck a tentative deal on new rules for selling beer in Texas.

Senate Business and Commerce Committee Chairman John Carona opened a hearing on Tuesday by saying it looked like there had been an agreement. ...