Politics

Texas Ethics Commission Bill Gets Initial House Approval

Veronica Zaragovia, KUT News — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:36:42 +0000

State lawmakers had a lengthy debate on the House floor Monday when they took up, and passed, a Senate bill that would make changes to a key commission. One that determines the rules state officials must follow.

Under One Roof: Who’s Using Affordable Housing in Austin?

Joy Diaz, KUT News — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:05:00 +0000

If you’re going on a tour through the world of affordable housing, it’s good to have one of Austin’s most knowledgeable experts as your tour guide.

Meet Stuart Hersh. He’s a consultant with non-profit organizations that help produce affordable housing. During the last 30 years, Hersh has worked in a variety of fields that have to do with writing and enforcing building codes to writing affordable housing regulations.

Agenda Texas: Carona's Bidness

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

The Texas House takes up a major ethics bill today. Government watchdog groups had hoped the legislation re-authorizing the Texas Ethics Commission would have strengthened disclosure and conflict of interest laws.

Weather Service Bracing for Furloughs

Trey Shaar, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:52:22 +0000

Federal agencies are still dealing with the effects of across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration.

The National Weather Service was already under a hiring freeze and now faces furloughs -- mandatory unpaid days off.

Weather Service meteorologists are concerned about the effect that could have on their ability to keep the public informed.

Budget Bill Gets Tentative Approval from Texas Lawmakers

Veronica Zaragovia, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:33:06 +0000

Lawmakers left a vote on the toughest and most important bill to the week's end. At the start of today, Democrats remained unhappy with funding for public education.

"They did an increase in the budget for the [Texas School for the Blind and Texas School for the Deaf]. Well you can’t count that as new money in the budget towards public education. So it’s just a sham of a proposal in my judgment."

Agenda Texas: Daily Drama at the Capitol

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

There is nothing quite like the end of a Texas Legislative session. There’s drama, suspense, violence! OK - maybe just a little yelling. It’s almost like the end of an action movie.

All hope is lost, disaster is just a moment away,but then…a miracle saves the day.

The Ever Changing Session

End-of-Life Bill Sparks Anger, Accusations

Becca Aaronson, Texas Tribune — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:36:00 +0000

Political powerhouse Texas Right to Life is working overtime to try to defeat a compromise measure aimed at improving state laws governing “end of life” medical decisions.

Gay Rights Groups Say Measure Lets Texas Colleges Discriminate Against LGBT Student Groups

Andrew Weber — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:57:15 +0000

Today, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board bypassed a potential legislative sunset, meaning state legislators will not shutter the group’s doors under the Sunset Act.

That bill, however, also contains a contentious little provision in the form of an amendment – a provision that some say would allow college groups to discriminate on the basis of sexual preference and religion.

The amendment from Rep. Matt Krause, R- Fort Worth, would allow officially recognized, religious college organizations the right to ban those who “demonstrate opposition to the organization’s stated beliefs and purposes,” according to language in the amendment.

Michael Morton Act Signed Into Law

Andrew Weber — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:45:30 +0000

Governor Rick Perry signed the Michael Morton Act this afternoon, a law that will require prosecutors in criminal cases to share evidence with defense attorneys.

The Governor characterized Texas as a “law and order” state and that the new law will allow judicial process to be as transparent and as open as humanly possible when it goes into effect in September of this year.

Agenda Texas: Busted Budget Negotiations

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Today was supposed to be the day. In the morning, House and Senate budget negotiators announced there would be a meeting at 2 pm, which many interpreted as the meeting that would unveil the budget agreement.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

At 2:15, the meeting was delayed until 3. At about 3:30, the meeting was delayed until 5.

Patrick's Charter School Bill Faces Test in House

Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:19 +0000

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.

Senate Bill 2, authored by Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston, would increase the number of available state contracts for the schools that are publicly funded but privately operated by nonprofit organizations.

Texas Term Limits Bill Fails

Veronica Zaragovia, KUT News — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:58:03 +0000

A Republican state senator wants Texas to limit the terms of elected officials like the governor and the attorney general. His bill has made it from the Senate to the Texas House floor, but will it head for the Governor’s desk?

Agenda Texas: Medicaid Expansion Update

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Medicaid expansion in Texas: we’ve highlighted the topic a couple of times during the legislative session. From those hoping to pick up Medicaid coverage, to lawmakers for and against Texas joining in the Affordable Care Act program.

Undocumented UT Grads Call for Permanent Immigration Solution

Ann Choi — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

A UT student organization held a ceremony today for undocumented students who will graduate with their peers this weekend.

Last year, undocumented students became eligible to apply for a two year-long work permit that would protect them from deportation through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. However, the undocumented graduates said the policy protects only the students –not their families – and therefore, it’s not a permanent solution.

Texas Democrats See Future in Mobilizing Latino Turnout

Veronica Zaragovia, KUT News — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:35:00 +0000

No one doubts the growth of the Latino electorate in Texas. But its turnout at the polls is lower than in the rest of the country, leading some to question how to change that. Especially Democrats who say this is how to turn Texas blue.

State Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San Antonio, and State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, joined Julie Martinez Ortega of PAC Plus to discuss the challenge at a news conference today.