Texas Legislature

The Source: New Gun Legislation At The State Capitol

Paul Flahive — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:23:34 +0000

In the first segment:

A pro-gun rally was held this past Saturday outside the statehouse in Austin, complete with a faux Paul Revere, while inside a stack of firearm-related house a bills were debated and voted on.

House Committee Checks In On West Explosion Investigation

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:58:56 +0000

The House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety heard from the chief investigators of the explosion at the West fertilizer plant this morning at the state capitol.

Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, told lawmakers that the state uses an EPA law that places the responsibility for responding to emergency at the local level.

The Source: Payday Lending's Big Influence At The Capitol

Paul Flahive — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:56:40 +0000

In the first segment:

It appears that regardless of what passes or doesn't pass in the legislature this month, the San Antonio city ordinance on payday lenders in San Antonio will remain.

According to Texans for Public Justice, an anti-corruption advocacy nonprofit, payday lenders had more than $3.7 million in donations to state lawmaker campaigns since 2010.

The organization says the payday loan lobby is fueling a "tepid" set of reforms.

House Republican Plan For Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward

Ryan Poppe — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:34:32 +0000

Proposals were made by both the Republicans and Democrats in the House, but it is House Bill 3791, the Republican "Texas-ccentric" plan, that is heading to the House floor for a vote.

Agenda Texas: Looming Legislative Deadlines

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:38:13 +0000

Over 6,000 bills were filed in the 2013 legislative session. And historically speaking, only about 20 percent of them will be signed into law.

Many of those that don’t pass won’t even receive the dignified end of being voted down by lawmakers.

Could A $30 Vehicle Registration Increase Be The Answer To Road Construction?

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:12:10 +0000

A bill in the Texas House calls for an increase in vehicle registration fees in order to help fix Texas roads and pay down debt.

Rep. Drew Darby, R- San Angelo, said his bill does away with fund diversions by reallocating the portion of the state’s highway fund that currently goes towards the DMV and DPS and has that money go toward road construction.

House Republicans Put Forward Second Option For Medicaid Expansion

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:36:22 +0000

After hearing the Democratic plan to accept Medicaid expansion dollars, a House appropriations subcommittee heard the leading Republican plan that calls for not taking the money, and instead asks the federal government for a block grant.

Texas Legislature Scores Poorly On Healthcare, Emissions

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:52:38 +0000

A group of Texas lawmakers announced a snapshot of where the state is headed on issues like healthcare, environmental quality and education.

It’s called Texas on the Brink, which is a collection of statistics on the State of Texas. Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, is the chairman of the group.

Committee Debates Extended Family Right To Sue Parents/Child

editor — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:09:12 +0000

Story as it aired on KUT 90.5 FM

At the Capitol, House Judiciary Committee members will debate a bill that would increase the number of people who have a say over how a child is raised in Texas.

The bill sparking debate is HB 393, filed by State Rep.

Senate Ends Week Passing Unemployment Drug Testing Bill

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:04:09 +0000

Similar to the bill mandating welfare recipients be screened for drugs, this bill mandates that Texans receiving unemployment benefits also be drug-tested.

Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, authored the bill that would force all unemployment applicants to go through a drug-screening process with a counselor from the Texas Workforce Commission.