Top House and Senate negotiators agreed to a two-year budget for the state of Texas Friday that restores about $4 billion of $5.4 billion in cuts to public education made in 2011. It also creates a path for lawmakers to put $2 billion toward water infrastructure projects.
Aman Batheja has the story: http://trib.it/10zlkNQ
A raft of bills that would dramatically alter the way beer is sold and consumed in Texas sailed through tentative approval from the House on Friday after a lengthy and disputatious process between brewers and beer distributors. If finally approved next week, the legislation will go straight to the governor’s desk without another stop.
Chris Hooks reports: http://trib.it/13u03Tp
U.S. Reps. Kevin Brady and Pete Gallego are from different political parties, but they are united in trying to bring a little bipartisanship to the Texas delegation. They have scheduled a breakfast next week, with other congressmen, to discuss ways to forge a common agenda for the state.
Jay Root reports: http://trib.it/14tXm6E
Texas lawmakers have 10 days left in the regular session. They haven’t embarrassed themselves, spent much time in bitter fights or generated the sorts of headlines that have made voters think so little of Washington. Maybe Texans won’t notice the officeholders in Austin or, if they do, will notice the difference between the two.
Ross Ramsey reports: http://trib.it/15QnHAz
State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, upset over one of his bills being held up in the Senate, said Friday morning that the Senate has “not been respectful” and added that it has “gotten to the point now where I think we ought to do something about it.”
“If the Senate doesn’t respect us, they need to expect us,” Dutton said.
Reeve Hamilton reports: http://trib.it/13sZgSK
Session Scramble, our Legislature-themed photo scavenger hunt, is heating up. Here’s the leaderboard as of Friday morning.
Big prizes for top scorers and most creative pics from Travaasa Austin, The University of Texas Performing Arts Center, Hotel Havana, Arcade Midtown Kitchen and Shady Grove Restaurant. Thanks to our sponsor Crosswind Media & Public Relations.
Not playing yet? Grab your smartphone and join us. Here’s how: http://trib.it/15K8mBt
Texas’ drought and water-supply problems have captured headlines. But with the state’s rapid population growth projected to continue, other infrastructure problems also loom, including clogged roads and a strained power grid.
Kate Galbraith and Aman Batheja report: http://trib.it/14tSIFD
With exoneree Michael Morton by his side, Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday signed a measure that aims to avoid wrongful convictions by preventing prosecutors from suppressing evidence.
Proposals that would have cracked down on employers who knowingly misclassify construction employees and contribute to an ever-growing undocumented workforce are likely dead this session.
Julián Aguilar reports: http://trib.it/17wkaqP
Diana Davids Hinton, a history professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, has co-written two books on the colorful history of Texas oil. In an interview with Kate Galbraith, she speaks about how the current boom compares to the past and how the Railroad Commission of Texas — whose name lawmakers failed to change this session — came to regulate oil in the first place.
