Texas House passes bill changing state’s filing deadlines

The Texas House on Tuesday passed a bill changing the state’s filing deadlines and primary runoffs to accommodate new laws for voters in the military — raising questions about whether the new schedule would affect local elections.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kvx9Yo

Texas Legislature won’t finish congressional redistricting

AUSTIN — Lawmakers will fail to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries before their session ends next week, setting in motion the likelihood that federal judges will determine the new House lines, including the composition of four new districts.
 http://dallasne.ws/jAHGEE

Texas House, Senate struggle to find agreement on funding of schools

AUSTIN — With less than a week to go, the always-volatile issue of school funding could make for a rough conclusion to the 2011 legislative session.
After House efforts to pass a school finance plan were short-circuited Monday night, House and Senate leaders began searching Tuesday for common ground on how to distribute $2 billion a year in funding cuts — $4 billion over the next two years — among the state’s 1,030 school districts.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/mevCbA

Sen. Patrick: Anti-groping bill was a 'Come and Take it' moment

Sen. Dan Patrick pulled down his anti-groping measure late Tuesday night that would make invasive pat downs at airports a crime in the state and took the opportunity to vent his frustrations with the federal government.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/jCCeC3

Perry ceremonially signs sonogram bill, lawmaker praises God

Surrounded by cheering anti-abortion activists, Gov. Rick Perry joined lawmakers who led the passage of a bill requiring a sonogram for women seeking abortions and ceremonially signed the legislation Tuesday.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/jbjTi2

UT, A&M faculty productivity criticized in studies — and studies criticized, too

Two new studies say that professors at Texas’ top public universities aren’t very productive — but critics say those studies are flawed.
The studies — one examining the University of Texas at Austin , the other highlighting Texas A&M University — come during intense academic and political debate over the mission and performance of the state’s flagship public universities.

Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/jUdLKD

Budget deal would give 41,000 fewer Texas students aid for college

AUSTIN — Texas’ state universities and colleges would provide financial aid to 41,000 fewer students over the next two years under a proposed budget agreement, and key senators warned Monday that will narrow the path to upward mobility for minority and poor youths.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kQ2PFW

Senate adopts puppy mill bill after applying stricter amendments

The Senate passed a bill Monday night to regulate "unhealthy, inhumane" puppy mills, but appeased breeders by allowing those raising greyhounds, hunting or herding dogs to be exempted.
Under the bill by Sen. John Whitmire , D-Houston, a dog and cat breeders that have 11 unspayed females and sell or exchange 20 animals a year would have to be licensed, abide by basic United States Department of Agriculture standards of care and be subject to an initial and annual inspection.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/mxtVbq

Payday lending bills get Senate approval

Senators took the plunge into payday lending reform Monday, passing two House bills that bring some oversight to the largely unregulated industry in Texas.
Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, said the legislation represents a "very, very delicate compromise" between consumer groups and the payday and auto title lending industry.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/lr297U

House members worried over school funding options

With only one more day to pass Senate bills this session, several House members voiced concern Monday evening over repeated delays on a Senate measure that would dictate how $37 billion in education funding is distributed to school districts over the next two years.
Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/iA8oMO

Perry signs eminent domain bill

Gov. Rick Perry signed into law a bill that tightens up eminent domain so that private land can only be taken after an open, public meeting with maps of the area to be condemned, and after landowners are offered a true market price.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/k3eSSd

Lawmakers look to shuffle some city election dates

In another round of wrangling over election dates, the Senate approved a measure Monday that could eliminate some city elections in May of even-numbered years.
The Senate changed a House bill dealing with military voting ballots by moving up the candidate filing deadline to the December before a primary election, instead of January. It keeps the state's primary election on the first Tuesday of March _ that's March 6 in 2012 _ but it moves the primary runoff to the fourth Tuesday in May.

Kelley Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/kfn7wZ

One of the least controversial homeowners association bills just elicited a small screaming match in the Senate.
The bill would give homeowners more information about their home purchase without requiring a real estate agent or lawyer's assistance.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/l9Bk55

OMG, Texting bill might yet live

The House bill attempting to ban texting while driving got pulled over in the Senate. While there was a hearing on the bill last Monday, the Senate Transporation and Homeland Security Committee has failed to advance it.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mwTLgd

Senate passes bill to help stall HOA foreclosures

In the most significant action yet to regulate homeowners associations, the Senate just passed a bill that would make it more difficult to foreclose on homeowners.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/kGkcD8

Speed limits of 75 mph zoom through Senate

Motorists would be allowed to rev up to speeds of 75 mph on parts of major highways across Texas under a bill the Senate unanimously approved Monday.
The higher limits _ up from 70 mph _ could be set for stretches of highway where the Texas Transportation Commission deems it to be safe and reasonable, outside of urban areas. The legislation also eliminates different day and night speed limits.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/kKM20S

Rep sings to help designate western swing as official music of Texas

Rep. Doug Miller, donning a black cowboy hat, stood before the front microphone and sang, "Miles and Miles of Texas" on the House floor Monday.
It was part of an effort to pass SCR 51, which designates "western swing" as the official state music of Texas. He sang by request from one of his House colleagues.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/jKn3Q8

Anti-bullying measure moves through Senate

Public schools would have the power to transfer a student who bullies to another classroom or another school under legislation the Senate approved Monday.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, told fellow senators the bill would also provide a new definition of bullying, new procedures for reporting bullying and classroom instruction intended to prevent bullying.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/jlRupJ

House passes bill to give those wrongfully imprisoned health insurance

Those who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned would be able to buy into a health insurance plan under a measure swiftly passed by the House Monday.
It was one of several criminal justice reform bills placed on the calendar reserved for non-controversial legislation that the lower chamber approved.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/ineLWy

Budget poobahs reject hire freeze -- wrist slap for fiscal hawks?

Conservative anti-tax groups are still doing their victory dance in the endzone, but budget conferees on Monday took two small shots at them.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jPdT5q

Football helmet bill wins Senate approval

The Texas Senate has approved a measure requiring high schools to keep older football helmets in good condition to help prevent head injuries to players.
Helmets 10 years or older would have to be reconditioned every two years, and helmets would have to be taken out of use if they are 16 years old.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/k2pRID

Budget negotiators say no to North Texas pharmacy school

House and Senate budget negotiators on Monday rejected a proposal to allow the University of North Texas and its branch campus in Dallas to jointly establish a pharmacy school.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lHLgFd

Astronaut Cernan honored in Senate

Before getting down to earthly business, Texas senators spent a few minutes Monday honoring retired astronaut Capt. Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/j9VQrh

Newt Gingrich, citing Rick Perry comeback, insists campaign still very much alive

After a rocky first week as a presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich pointed this morning to Texas for inspiration - specifically, to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's come-from-behind landslide in last year's GOP primary.
The Perry-Gingrich nexus is unusually tight. Rob Johnson , who ran Perry's campaign, is now running the former House speaker's bid for president; Gingrich brought him along for breakfast with reporters at a hotel near the White House.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/jCazuf

Senate votes to drive final stake through Trans Texas Corridor

AUSTIN — The ceremony was brief and drew few mourners, but the Trans Texas Corridor is finally dead.
The Senate unanimously passed a bill that strikes from state law any language, reference and authority once connected to the massive highway envisioned to slice a swath through Texas.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/jcdK10

Texas House approves statewide smoking ban as part of fiscal bill

AUSTIN — Restaurants, bars and other indoor public places in every corner of Texas would have to be smoke-free by this fall under a bill the House approved Saturday.
The measure, which includes the statewide smoking prohibition as an amendment, now heads to a conference committee of House members and senators who will work out differences between the two chambers on the legislation. Although the Senate version did not include the smoking ban, supporters of the idea say they have support from a majority of senators.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/jzXY44

Conservative outsiders, Perry, tea party Republicans force severe budget cuts

AUSTIN — A handful of conservative anti-tax groups, aligning themselves with Gov. Rick Perry and a clutch of tea party-backed Republicans in the House, has steered the Legislature’s decisions on spending and taxes, lawmakers and analysts say.

Garrett, Brooks:e http://dallasn.ws/iygW9a

Texas Legislature unlikely to allow guns on campus

AUSTIN — Shots fired at the measure to allow concealed handguns on college campuses — once poised to easily pass with wide support in the Legislature — have left it mortally wounded.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/jxJVe1

Texas House, Senate leaders finalize budget deal to cut spending 9%

AUSTIN — Legislative leaders announced a tentative budget agreement late Friday that would shrink the state’s current spending about 9 percent, probably triggering school district layoffs and a tightening of college financial aid.

Garrett, Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/lAQLBq

Texas’ new sonogram law to face suit, rights group says

AUSTIN – A national abortion rights group said Friday that it is preparing a legal challenge to the state’s new abortion sonogram law just signed by Gov. Rick Perry.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/kYfH4l

Open government fights coming down to the wire in Texas Legislature

AUSTIN — Open government groups are winning some fights — and losing a few others — as Texas lawmakers decide which records should be public at schools, state agencies and police departments.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/j5RUQl

Straus, Dewhurst say there's a budget deal

The Legislature's top leaders say negotiators have struck a deal on the budget. The House came up $3 billion in state dollars, while the Senate went down by $1.2 billion, it appears.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/k56dzn

House knocks down plea for Hispanic Senate district in Dallas

The House just kicked away a plea from Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, to create a Hispanic Senate district in Dallas and Tarrant counties.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/kfoSeo

House deals with higher education in theory and practice

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/lbWQRY

Straus says House 'wouldn't be going' with revenue bill if there wasn't a deal

Speaker Joe Straus told reporters late Friday afternoon that the House "very soon" will take up the non-tax revenue bill, but he put a different spin on the state of negotiations between the two chambers than did Sen. Steve Ogden.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kx7RWD

Ogden: House to take up non-tax revenue bill, then budget talks 'will resume'

Chief Senate budget negotiator Sen. Steve Ogden said Friday afternoon that the House, in an apparent concession, will start debate of a "non-tax revenue" bill Friday night.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lJR7wM

Wentworth: House Speaker's influence killed guns on campus amendment

Sen. Jeff Wentworth said the House effort to block his legislation Thursday that would allow guns on college campuses was "politically motivated" by undue influence from House Speaker Joe Straus.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/lMogxm

Republican senator wants to alter puppy mill bill language

A Republican senator said that once the so-called puppy mill bill hits the upper chamber he will suggest new language to protect hobby breeders from what opponents say are onerous restrictions on dog and cat breeding operations.
Erin "Front Page" Mulvaney reports: http://dallasne.ws/lmmxf0

Post-conviction DNA testing on way to governor

Convicted felons could receive a second chance for DNA testing, under a bill that passed the House this morning. It now heads to the governor.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/imoI11

Texas lawmakers say payday lending bills good for consumers

AUSTIN — Legislation placing more limits on Texas payday and auto title lenders is moving toward a Senate vote, seemingly with industry support, two key lawmakers said Thursday.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/jAMapI

Bills to diminish HOA’s power face dwindling hopes in Texas Legislature

AUSTIN — As time runs out in the legislative session, lawmakers’ promises to dampen the influence of homeowners associations may be fading.

Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/lKVdqQ

Texas House votes to strip funding from hospitals, clinics that perform abortions

AUSTIN — The House voted Thursday to strip funding for all hospitals and clinics that perform abortions and “abortion-related services,” another potential blow to family planning services in Texas.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/ly7NR6

Exxon CEO cheers for university research amid political push to focus on teaching

AUSTIN — As Texas politicians debate whether to reorient universities toward teaching rather than research, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp. gave a warning.
Rex Tillerson said Thursday that he employs 1,200 people with doctorates, and he relies on university research to push energy technology ahead. If Texas or the U.S. cannot produce, he will turn elsewhere.

Souder: http://dallasne.ws/mhZqN8

Texas House agrees to Senate’s school budget, but they bicker over higher education

AUSTIN — Lawmakers have tentatively agreed to a public education budget that would cut school funding less drastically than once feared, but the two chambers remained at odds Thursday over higher education funding and the rainy day dollars or other revenue needed to balance the books.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mq161H

Raymond to Berman: Takes more than wishin'

In a floor fight between Dallas County and Collin County reps over whether to charge sponsors of legal aliens for hospital bills, Rep. Leo Berman - who is fast becoming the most predictable member of the Texas House - approached the back mic.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kv1bXd

Hospital costs: A surprising victory for Dallas Democrat

Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, scored a surprising victory - one rep called it "witnessing the impossible become possible" - when he got widespread GOP support after going head to head with a Collin County Republican on an amendment regarding hospital costs.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kQOjEL

Guns on campus amendment shot down by House in fiscal matters bill

After days of waiting for the fiscal matters issues to come to the House floor, one will be sent back to the Senate because of an amendment -- added during Senate debate --allowing guns on college campuses.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/jtEliI

STATEMENT BY SPEAKER STRAUS ON CONTINUING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

 http://dallasne.ws/k5bjM7

Mitt Romney stops in Arlington

Gromer Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/iFbLb2

Dewhurst brings offer signed by 21 senators, including West

 Senate budget negotiators have brought to the House a budget offer signed by 21 senators, including Democrats Royce West of Dallas and Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa of McAllen, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told reporters Thursday afternoon.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lKSIrq

Dewhurst, Senate budget negotiators bring offer to the House

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the Senate's five budget negotiators marched into the House chamber at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, bearing what the Republican lieutenant governor called "an offer" to resolve the budget, education and rainy-day and "non-tax revenue" questions that have bedeviled leaders all week.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lPu6P1

Senate votes to legalize "noodling" after fishy debate

Senators voted Thursday to let catfish noodlers practice their sport legally in Texas. A bill by Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, would legalize the sport in which fishermen use their arms to catch catfish.

Stutz:  http://dallasne.ws/kK4SSF

If Perry signs the bill, Texas'll be able to compete with Oklahoma for those noodling dollars:

Bill to keep governor's security travel costs secret fizzles

An attempt to keep secret the exact hotels, meals and other travel costs of the governor's security officers appears to be dying in the Legislature.
Texas newspaper editors and open government advocates left the Senate Select Committee on Open Government jubilant Thursday after it became clear that Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, didn't have the committee votes to pass that bill.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/iGZxIW

National pro-biz group with Perry ties jumps into Loser Pays fray

Americans for Job Security, a Washington-based group founded by Rick Perry political guru Dave Carney, is running radio ads around the state urging listeners to push senators to pass the Loser Pays bill.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mQXxVA

Perry: House made 'reasonable' offer on budget to Senate

Gov. Rick Perry says House lawmakers have made a plausible offer to their Senate colleagues for resolving last-minute impasses over the two-year state budget, which are mainly about education funding, school finance formulas and use of state savings and "non-tax revenue."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kbszT6

Doggett lauds White House for picking a Texas judge, but tensions persist

As we reported today , the White House is poised to nominate a federal judge in East Texas.
"Finally," as Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett put it.
Texas Democrats in the U.S. House recommended Rodney Gilstrap, a former Harrison County judge, now a lawyer in Marshall, for the bench 15 months ago. Texas' GOP senators also endorsed Gilstrap.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/iPBg4K

Perry dismisses talk of presidential run -- again

Gov. Rick Perry gave every impression that he is more annoyed by all the talk about him stepping into a presidential race than anything else.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/jmqf2v

First HOA bill passes through both chambers, safeguards military members from foreclosure

The first HOA bill to move through both chambers tentatively passed the House this morning, in what could wind up one of the only to get through this session.
Triggered by a Frisco family's plight, the bill would provide safeguards that ensure military members don't lose their homes to homeowners associations.

Jessica Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/mHlxqH

Senate committee strips ‘sanctuary city’ language from anti-illegal immigration bill

AUSTIN — A Senate committee derailed a key immigration bill Wednesday, mounting the toughest challenge yet to one of Gov. Rick Perry’s emergency priorities.
The bill, which aimed to ban “sanctuary cities,” would have allowed police to question anyone they detain about their citizenship status. It has triggered emotional and racially charged debate more than once this year.

AP: http://dallasne.ws/ioXy5s

Texas budget stalls amid GOP bickering

AUSTIN — The legislative session veered near the brink of collapse Wednesday.
With time growing short to pass a two-year state budget that slashes funding for education and other programs, House and Senate leaders sniped at one another over political courage — and who’s at fault for delays in the process.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lVdbBm

Texas Senate OKs bill standardizing eyewitness procedures to help prevent wrongful convictions

AUSTIN — Men who spent time in prison for crimes they didn’t commit have pleaded with lawmakers throughout the legislative session: Improve the criminal justice system so others don’t lose years of their lives to mistakes like they did.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/kYLmrC

House postpones 'non-tax revenue' bill, related bills until Thursday

The House has punted to Thursday any floor consideration of the "non-tax revenue" bill and related bills needed to close out a deal on the two-year state budget.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ixhGGz

Ogden chides House as timid, cites 'politics at its worst'

Leaving the huddle of big shots, Sen. Steve Ogden didn't mince words: He's pretty disgusted with the House.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/iA5Juc

After another huddle, Perry, Straus & Dewhurst say: Closer to mega deal

The Big 3 and all 10 budget negotiators met for a half hour or so in Speaker Joe Straus' office. They just ended the huddle, and here's what two statewide elected Republicans had to say:
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: "We're close but we've got some more work we have to do. ... That's all I have to say."
Gov. Rick Perry: "They get closer every time they meet."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mKYOzt

A needling on noodling

Hoppe on legislation pertaining to fishin' with your hands: http://dallasne.ws/mCSLsj

Eyewitness identification bill heads to Governor

The Senate gave its final approval to a bill that would streamline eyewitness identification procedures in police departments around the state.
The measure only lacks the governor's signature before becoming law.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/m0SZ4J

If there's a special session, House admin czar Geren is ready

Hey, Charlie Geren, we gonna have a special?
I caught the House Administration chairman as he left the pink dome for lunch Wednesday.
"I don't know, but I budgeted for two" special sessions, replied Geren, R-Fort Worth.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jJhTnS

Senate honors exoneree Johnny Pinchback

Johnny Pinchback, who spent 27 years in state prison for a rape he did not commit, stood before the Senate as a free man on Wednesday and accepted an apology for his decades of false confinement.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/m3xxSj

Perry says 'they're working on it,' meaning -- everything

Gov. Rick Perry left a 40-minute huddle with House leaders, saying pretty much everything's up in the air.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lspN60

It's decision time on budget, money bills ... special session

Gov. Rick Perry just entered the office of Speaker Joe Straus, who a few moments later left the dais on the House floor and retreated to his office.
What's up?

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kVjJYp

Bill to require photo ID to vote in Texas on way to Perry

AUSTIN — A final House vote Monday virtually assured that Texans will have to show a picture ID when voting next year, fulfilling a four-year push by Republicans to ensure that only registered citizens are voting.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/kKwBOw

Porkchopper bill heads to Governor

The House gave final approval Tuesday to the measure that allows ranchers to rent out seats on helicopters used to hunt feral hogs and coyotes by air on their property.
The measure now only lacks the governor's signature before becoming law. The House accepted the Senate's changes to the bill with a vote of 141 to 1.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/mmSYQD

Perry: State sovereignty will be key issue for presidential election

Speaking to Republican activists preparing for a grinding election cycle, Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday that the 2012 presidential election would center on state sovereignty and limited intervention from Washington.

Gromer Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/mzJnAi

Rule would require Texas dealers to track mass sales of high-powered guns

WASHINGTON — A proposed regulation that would require Texas gun dealers to notify federal authorities of people buying large quantities of high-powered firearms gained the support of a leading senator Tuesday.

Huisman: http://dallasne.ws/k0uv8B

Texas Senate approves redistricting plan after rejecting Fort Worth amendments

AUSTIN — Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic bid to preserve a majority-minority Senate district in Tarrant County on Tuesday before approving a redistricting plan that could give the GOP an additional seat in the Senate.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/jzobIb

Texas House OKs plan for radioactive waste dump owned by Dallas billionaire Simmons

AUSTIN — A site in West Texas owned by Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons could store low-level radioactive waste from dozens of states under a measure the House approved Tuesday.
Waste Control Specialists, which runs the dump in Andrews County, would control rates of out-of-state waste contributions except for those from Texas and Vermont, which have an agreement for waste storage.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/ileHRt

Drugs for low-income HIV patients at risk in tentative Texas budget deal

AUSTIN — Lawmakers negotiating the state budget have rejected the state health department’s request for nearly $20 million to help thousands of low-income Texans obtain free drugs for treatment of HIV or AIDS.
Budget negotiators say the state will not restrict free drugs for nearly 16,000 people with the conditions.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/iRkwrY

Combs adds $1.2 billion to her two-year revenue forecast

Comptroller Susan Combs just handed a gift to the House and Senate budget negotiators -- $1.2 billion, added to her revenue estimate for the next two years.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mcPsIP

Texas House, Senate agree on smaller parts of budget — but not education

AUSTIN — House and Senate budget negotiators said they made significant progress Monday, tentatively agreeing on big chunks of the two-year state spending plan, including Medicaid and prisons.
But education is still the big sticking point, and chief Senate budget writer Sen. Steve Ogden suggested that lawmakers may have to go into overtime to resolve the two chambers’ differences.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mtngJF

Budget conferees ease Medicaid rate cuts -- with sleight of hand?

Late Monday, the House-Senate conference committee on the two-year state budget tentatively approved all sections of the budget other than education.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lPh8jZ

Democratic ads targets Canseco and Farenthold

On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched a campaign targeting two Texas Congressmen who voted to "end Medicare."
The campaign, which targets Reps. Francisco "Quico" Canseco, R-San Antonio, and Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, uses automated phone calls and 4.5 million emails.

Huisman: http://dallasne.ws/ijDLSP

HOAs balk at Solomons' revisons to Senate bill

Homeowners association representatives are screaming over potential House revisions to Senator Royce West's massive HOA bill.
The House' Business and Industry committee approved the Senate's version in a quick afternoon meeting last week. Committee member Burt Solomons, who has promised to rein in "rogue" associations this session, made the changes that have riled up HOA advocates.

Jessica Meyers reports: http://dallasne.ws/iCdzPI

Joe Straus: Play nice

Speaker Joe Straus kicked off the afternoon session making note of the stressful, 15-hour days that had just passed.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/j75Gcb
Straus' statement: http://dallasne.ws/k8OyN5

Ogden floats idea of passing budget on everything but education

Chief Senate budget writer Sen. Steve Ogden says he has tentatively proposed that lawmakers return in a special session to finish the education portion of the two-year budget because the House and Senate are at loggerheads.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kKHys6

Senate approves a nearly $4 billion rainy-day dip

The state would use nearly $4 billion from the rainy day fund to pay current bills -- or more than $800 million more than the House and Gov. Rick Perry have agreed to spend -- under a bill the Senate approved early Monday afternoon.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jjJ6qb

STATEMENT BY SPEAKER JOE STRAUS TO HOUSE MEMBERS

 http://dallasne.ws/k8OyN5

Texas Legislature passes bill to collect sales tax from online retailers that operate in state

Brick-and-mortar retailers have won a battle in the Texas Legislature.
On Friday, the Senate approved a bill passed earlier by the House that defines all the ways a retailer can be considered to have a physical presence in Texas and therefore be required to collect sales tax.

Maria Halkias: http://dallasne.ws/lrojcA

Texas teachers, GOP leaders clash over plans to cut teacher pay, job protection

AUSTIN — Mirroring other labor vs. government disputes across the nation, Texas teachers and legislative leaders are at loggerheads over the role teachers should play in solving the state’s massive budget deficit.
 Key lawmakers have pushed legislation that would let school districts save money through salary reductions, furloughs and larger classes. Teacher groups have firmly resisted the proposals, viewing them as an attack on the profession and hard-fought teacher benefits.
Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/m8wtYM

Texas charities fear House proposal on specialty license plates could cost them

Texans spend about $16 million a year on specialty license plates, with about $2.7 million of that in 2010 helping abused kids, sending needy students to college, saving the horned lizard and aiding other causes.
But a proposal by the Texas House would cut the money that goes to those groups in half. The House’s proposed budget keeps the funds on the state’s books to help balance a $23 billion shortfall.

Horner: http://dallasne.ws/ieMAlp

Lobbyists asked to fund party for Texas House committees that affect their interests

AUSTIN — A slew of lobbyists are being asked to sponsor a big end-of-session party for four influential Texas House committees that control legislation in which they have an interest.
The lobbyists are being solicited for $500 each to pay for dinner, music and entertainment for a combined gala honoring...

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/lZejs2

Texas comptroller’s tech office had high turnover, employee complaints before breach

AUSTIN — Comptroller Susan Combs’ information technology departments shrank by 20 percent, saw high employee turnover and faced heavy productivity demands — sometimes at the expense of security — before a massive data breach, state records and interviews show.
It was an environment ripe for the kind of disastrous information exposure Combs revealed last month, affecting 3.5 million peopl
Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/lNx3oO

Death knell sounds for Texas bills on immigration, drunken driving, other topics

AUSTIN — That wasn’t just the clock striking midnight on Friday. It was the death knell for thousands of House bills now that a major deadline has passed and the Legislature is churning toward its bumpy end.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/jpvotW

Texas universities would be compared against the best under legislation

AUSTIN — A bill that the House approved Thursday would arm lawmakers with information about how the best colleges are run, a potential rebuttal to regents who have raised alarms by trying to shift the mission at the state’s flagship universities.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/kGcAH6

Fiscal hawks take their TV spots to Tyler, where 'Easy E' isn't fazed

A strongly fiscally conservative Austin think tank has taken its TV ad campaign against padding the state budget with accounting tricks and rainy-day dollars to .... Tyler-Longview.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jtIiKJ

Karen Brooks in the House

Once again, I've collected a selection of House coverage. This time, Karen's blogposts as she watched the House approach a critical Thursday deadline. No one takes you there quite like Brooks...

Meowing on the House floor ... 

... while Reps. Jodi Laubenberg and Vicki Truitt were debating the payday lending bill.
Seriously? What is this, a frat house? Are you kidding me with this?
OK. Moving on.

http://dallasne.ws/jlHuJQ

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Immigration debate pops up again in the House

The House just passed a bill 101-24 that would make it a second-degree felony (punishable up to 20 years in prison) for a noncitizen who votes - and a state-jail felony to attempt to vote.
(Other second-degree felonies? Rape, child porn, agg assault, manslaughter...)

http://dallasne.ws/jXvC5w

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Smoking ban to be an amendment on another bill later on 

Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, postponed her smoking ban bill tonight and is going to add it as an amendment to another bill later.

http://dallasne.ws/jaJ6gF

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Geren reads the First Amendment on the House floor during religion debate

The House was debating a constitutional amendment about religious freedom, and a lot of the people who worked on it years ago - carefully, in a way not to bring down tons of lawsuits - are nervous about it. Geren, Hochberg, etc.

http://dallasne.ws/j2qxh0

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Fun with frisking legislation 


A light moment on the floor when Rep. David Simpson came up to pass a bill he loves - LOVES - and one of the more powerful and respected representatives came at him, loaded for bear.
The House passed legislation prohibiting the "indecent, groping searches of a traveler's private parts," in Simpson's words - and prohibit the use of full body scanners in airports unless the traveler gives consent.

http://dallasne.ws/j88BNT

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Sly makes a final play for electricity customers

 Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, realizes what it means to have his bill on the last page of the House Calendar on the last day for House bills to pass.

http://dallasne.ws/l1tWHc

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Dems stall with 15 minutes left ... and I have a theory

House Democrats are crowding the back mic, even though a lot of the bills coming up on the calendar are by their own people.

http://dallasne.ws/mILs5w

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 Aaaand, the House is done.

 The House Dems successfully managed to use the clock to kill a bill that would outlaw coerced abortions and create informed consent (it could have been used to target Planned Parenthood, reportedly).

http://dallasne.ws/jhdVoh

Ooh, payback time on Local and Consent - two N. Texas lawmakers back at it

Rep. Vicki Truitt is giving Rep. Jodi Laubenberg (both North Texas GOP reps) a really hard time about her 45-page local bill on a MUD.
Background: Laubenberg gave Truitt a heck of a time on her payday loans bills the last two days - including nearly killing it twice on points of order, and bashing Truitt for creating new government regulations,etc., in her bill.
Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/isZL5O

School cost-cutting bill runs short of time in Texas House

AUSTIN — Legislation to allow larger classes and teacher furloughs to help school districts save money appeared to run out of time Thursday night as a midnight deadline drew near for initial passage of all House bills this year.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/iMu9IH

Texas House conservatives may insist on deeper budget cuts

AUSTIN — Conservative House members are forcing their own GOP leaders to resist Senate pleas for smaller cuts to education and social programs, threatening a budget impasse with 17 days left in the legislative session.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/j7oJDr

Information closed off under bill tentatively approved in House

The Texas House tentatively approved legislation Wednesday allowing personal information such as driver's license and telephone numbers to be automatically withheld from public information requests.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/iqhX9S

Pork chopper bill flies through Senate

Senators joined their colleagues in the House Wednesday and agreed to help Texas ranchers launch aerial warfare against feral pigs tearing up their property.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/mBpPOf

Photographer Cabluck honored in Texas House

Veteran Texas news photographer Harry Cabluck won high praise in the House chamber Wednesday for a lifetime of shooting important pictures.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/lIt9r2

Chambers and nonprofits public spending could be open to scrutiny

Taxpayer dollars that are given to chambers of commerce, economic development groups and other nonprofits would be subject to public scrutiny under a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mkqzzM

Double-digit rebound of Texas sales tax receipts continues

It's getting to be a broken record: Comptroller Susan Combs announced Wednesday morning that Texas' sales tax revenue receipts increased by 11.4 percent last month, compared with April 2010.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/iDzmgE

Democrat Ricardo Sanchez to enter race for US Senate in Texas

The latest in a long line of Democrats hoping to break the Republican hold on elective office in Texas will make it official this morning. Former Lt. Gen Ricardo Sanchez will announce he's running for the US Senate.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/lm3jGE

Obama says time is right to tackle immigration overhaul

EL PASO – President Barack Obama, visiting the border for the first time in office, argued Tuesday that security has been improved enough that it’s time for the nation to act on immigration policy.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/kgnN41

Frozen margarita machine, invented in Dallas 40 years ago, shook up Tex-Mex history

WASHINGTON — He may not have created the first margarita, but Mariano Martinez transformed the drink from a border cantina concoction to the nation’s most popular alcoholic beverage with his invention in Dallas of the frozen margarita machine.

Huisman: http://dallasne.ws/k4f6SY

Republicans may come to regret strong-arm tactics in Legislature, analysts warn

AUSTIN — Republicans, using the power of their huge majority, have done more than tip the Legislature into turmoil in the past week.
They’ve raised doubts that Capitol politics will ever be the same.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/l5RcfA

Texas Gov. Rick Perry says many are overreacting to needed changes under consideration for flagship universities

 AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry played down the alarms being raised by prominent alumni and lawmakers over new directions in the state’s flagship universities, saying some groups are overreacting to needed changes.

Perry said “a lot of kerfuffle” has been stirred, which he attributed to “ill-informed former students,” over what...

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/jhxEck

Texas House gives final OK to sanctuary city ban

AUSTIN — The House gave final approval Tuesday to a measure banning “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants after days of emotional and partisan debate.
It would allow police to ask those they encounter whether they are in the country legally and would punish a police department or other entity for trying to restrict such questioning.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/kCMI8T

Texas Senate OKs bill that could make multiple records requests cost more

AUSTIN — Searching government emails and repeatedly requesting public records would cost Texans more money under legislation approved unanimously by the state Senate on Tuesday.
The bill by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Open Government, is roundly opposed by open-government advocates.
 http://dallasne.ws/kdSasj

Obama touts border security progress, urges action on immigration overhaul

EL PASO – President Barack Obama, visiting the border for the first time in office, argued Tuesday that security has been improved enough that it’s time for the nation to act on immigration policy.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/ihZ7U6

House OKs bill to exempt Romeo and Juliet cases from sex offender registry

A bill exempting Romeo and Juliet cases from registering as a sex offenders has now been passed by the House and Senate.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/loQ5r9

House gives final OK to sanctuary city bill, sends it to Senate

The Texas House gave final approval Tuesday to a measure banning "sanctuary cities" for illegal immigrants.

It would allow police to ask those they encounter whether they are in the country legally and would punish a police department or other entity for trying to restrict such immigration questioning.

Shannon:  http://dallasne.ws/jKdMpV

No bias in Texas wildfire aid decision, White House says

EL PASO – The White House shot back Tuesday at Texas Republicans accusing the president of treating the state unfairly when it comes to disaster assistance.

“This administration has been extremely responsive to the state of Texas’ requests for fire management assistance grants,” press secretary Jay Carney said...

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/kt4DeU

Texas House votes to make lawsuit losers — and some winners — pay foes’ attorney fees

AUSTIN — The House gave its final approval Monday to a proposal to clamp down on lawsuits and make those who go to court and lose — and sometimes even those who win — pay the lawyer fees of both sides.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/lOtIqy

Texas Senate OKs concealed guns on college campuses

AUSTIN — The Senate voted Monday to allow guns on college campuses, moving the measure one step closer to being law as the bill’s author attached it to another piece of legislation.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/mB57qZ

Republicans in Texas Legislature force through conservative measures on voting, guns, lawsuits, immigration

AUSTIN — The Legislature’s Republican supermajority flexed its muscle Monday, flattening traditions, rules and Democratic objections to advance long-sought conservative agenda items on voting, lawsuit limits, guns on campus, and illegal immigration.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/ji2aRn

Farrar, House Dems' leader, predicts Straus will 'feel the repercussions'

Not sure exactly what Jessica Farrar meant in this post-midnight statement by the House Democratic Caucus (emphasis mine):
"If House Republicans feel that the only way they can be successful in a 101-49 majority is to continue to push legislation with no public input or debate, the one member of their caucus who will feel the repercussions the most is Speaker Straus."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/je6a0E

Leading House Dem: 'Everybody's still on edge'

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio , said House GOP leaders have proposed more subtle ways to shut off debate and "railroad" Democrats, such as proposing a complete floor substitute for the sanctuary cities bill, which could not be amended and would limit discussion.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/j4my9n

Dewhurst names Senate's budget negotiators

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/k3R4GU

Sanc cities hits the House floor again - with a few changes

The House is standing "at ease" right now, and one can only guess that there are some points of order the Dems are trying to bring up on this "Sanctuary Cities" bill - though none have been brought up officially yet.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kZKnmW

House GOP leader warns Ds 'we have the votes,' will plow through bills

Fresh from a huddle of House Republicans, GOP caucus chairman Larry Taylor said moments ago that things went pretty well in Monday morning's third-reading debate of the loser-pays overhaul of civil lawsuits. And House leaders "will see how it goes this afternoon," said Taylor, R-Friendswood.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/iF96u0

Lawmakers could carry concealed handguns to most locations under Senate bill

The Senate voted Monday to let legislators, statewide elected officials and U.S. attorneys carry concealed handguns to locations that are off limits to most concealed handgun licensees.

Stutz:  http://dallasne.ws/jqHOQd

Texas legislators don’t appear likely to close revolving door to lobbying

AUSTIN — Try to answer the following question honestly: Would you put off making millions of dollars for a couple of years, even if doing so would make you look virtuous?

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kXQuHV

Obama sending message he’ll make a play for Texas in 2012 campaign

AUSTIN — At the White House earlier this year, state Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas had a request for Barack Obama: Don’t write off Texas in 2012.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/lH98Gg

Teacher-furlough bill halted in Texas House

Legislation that would allow school districts to boost class sizes, cut employee salaries and furlough teachers was halted in the House on Saturday after a Democratic member raised an objection that the measure had printing errors that violated House rules.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/iw0hhU

Analysis: Higher ed plan pushed by Rick Perry adviser risks Trans-Texas Corridor’s fate

AUSTIN — If Jeff Sandefer’s “Seven Breakthrough Solutions” for Texas higher education were a path, it would look a lot like the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/jMyziH

Senate votes to ban trans fat in public schools

AUSTIN — Texas schools would have to purge their lunch menus and vending machines of all trans fat food products under a bill the Senate passed Thursday that aims at the bad eating habits of many schoolchildren.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/moTv4A

UT supporters, alumni fear efforts to remake system could force out top leaders

Lawmakers and prominent UT alumni fear that Gov. Rick Perry is working to oust the top two leaders at the University of Texas because they have resisted sweeping changes that many see as recasting the mission of the state’s public universities.

Hoppe and Hacker report: http://dallasne.ws/kZpwYQ

Sonogram bill on its way to the governor

The House voted to concur with the Senate version of the pre-abortion sonogram bill, 94-41.
The bill requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a sonogram 24 hours in advance. She must sign a statement that informs her of the right to see the sonogram, hear a fetal heartbeat if detectable and that the doctor must describe fetal development, including size, organs and extremities that are observed on the screen.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mMM3JG

Straus likely to tap Crownover as a budget negotiator, colleagues say

Speaker Joe Straus is widely expected to announce today that Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, will be one of five House members who negotiate the two-year state budget with five senators. On Thursday, Straus could be seen conferring with Crownover (right) at her desk on the House floor. Colleagues who spoke only on the condition they not be named said she's gotten the nod for what in any session is a very big assignment. In this one, it's huge.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mgYNwx

Texas leaders blast Obama administration for denying disaster declaration on wildfires

WASHINGTON — An array of Texas leaders blasted the Obama administration Wednesday for refusing to declare that the wildfires blazing across the state are a major federal disaster.
The decision has become a sore point for Texas officials, including both senators and Gov. Rick Perry , all Republicans, and some suggest Texas is being punished for political reasons.
Matthew Huisman and Todd Gillman report: http://dallasne.ws/kLXRBL

Education funding crisis chills job market for new Texas teachers

Student teaching should mark the beginning of Amber Boldt’s career, not the end of it. But there she stood on a recent morning, murmuring goodbyes to Frisco middle school students and wondering when she’d get back into a classroom.

Jessica Meyers: http://dallasne.ws/kfqNb9

Exide lead smelter in Frisco among those targeted by new federal pollution rules

New federal rules proposed this week aim to reduce emissions from secondary lead smelters, including the Exide Technologies Inc. battery recycling plant in Frisco.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to update its air toxics emissions standards, last revised in 1997.

Valerie Wigglesworth reports: http://dallasne.ws/kN4Vpi

Texas Senate skirts tradition, passes budget by party-line vote

AUSTIN — Senate Republicans bulldozed Democrats, and the chamber’s traditions, on Wednesday to advance a $176.5 billion, two-year state budget.
GOP leaders cast themselves as the Legislature’s grown-ups, who had to rein in free-spending Democratic senators before they now try to restrain overzealous House Republicans who would cut too deeply into schools, safety-net programs and prisons.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lNindD

Elbow grease overturns close call for West bill

Rep. Dawnna Dukes had her work cut out for her today when she watched a bill she was sponsoring with Dallas Sen. Royce West fail on third reading - after it had passed on a voice vote yesterday. And with no questions. Nor hint of opposition.
I can imagine her reaction: "What the...????"

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/ki8O3x

Information requests by UT regents worry professors who fear unfair assessments

University of Texas System regents have made several requests for information about faculty costs, workloads and student evaluations that some professors worry could be misused.

Holly Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/lotax8

Senate finally passes $176.5 billion, two-year budget -- by party line vote

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mTzKmP

Will Ferrell spoofs President George W. Bush's reaction to bin Laden death

He was reading the Dallas Morning Union Tribune Ledger Guardian newspaper when it all went down:

President Bush Reacts to Osama Bin Laden's Death with Will Ferrell from Will Ferrell

It's Superman 1 in your Senate: spinning the earth backwards by 24 hours

The Senate never adjourned on Tuesday, it simply recessed.
According to Sens. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonior, that meant the Senate tentatively passed the budget -- on what was Wednesday for most of us but technically, for the Texas Senate, it was Tuesday.

Garrett explains: http://dallasne.ws/lfwRwh

Senate dispenses with two-thirds rule, tentatively passes budget

The Senate jettisoned its "two-thirds rule" on Wednesday afternoon to take up the two-year state budget, which it tentatively approved 19-12. It was a party line vote.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mr5B47

Machine malfunction wins: House overturns bill by Dallas senator

UPDATE: Word is, some Republicans have agreed to help bring up the bill for reconsideration and vote for it if it gets amended to remove private schools from having to report their special ed, etc., information to the agency.
Looks like the bill could end up passing after all if this gets worked out. We'll keep you posted.
A bill by Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, would have created the Interagency Council for Addressing Disproportionality to study why children of racial and ethnic minorities are seem to show up in higher numbers in the state's foster care, juvenile justice, special ed and criminal justice systems.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/ik4Z3h

Sonogram bill looks to be headed for the governor

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, said he agrees with Senate amendments to the sonogram bill and will ask the House to concur.
That should happen soon and send the bill to Gov. Rick Perry, who is a big fan of the provision.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/iBuNlT

Proposal would boost enrollment, slash tuition at University of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin should strive to be the country’s top public university, says the chairman of the UT System Board of Regents.
No argument from the Longhorn faithful there.
But it is two other goals that Chairman Gene Powell outlined in a memo — boost UT’s undergraduate enrollment by 18,000 and cut tuition costs in half — that have rankled some lawmakers and UT supporters.

Holly Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/kJUuWI

State Rep. Kenneth Sheets of Dallas amends reports that indicated campaign donations broke rule

State Rep. Kenneth Sheets has amended a campaign disclosure report that initially said he collected $13,500 in contributions after the legal deadline for lawmakers to raise money.

Gromer Jeffers reports: http://dallasne.ws/jFKfd2

Bill to overhaul Alamo oversight passes Senate

AUSTIN — The state’s General Land Office would oversee management of the Alamo under a bill the Senate approved Tuesday. The measure by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio , also would create an advisory board to help raise money and guide the actions of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the historic site’s longtime caretakers.
Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/krCNSu

Senate GOP leaders may sidestep tradition, Democrats to pass state budget

AUSTIN — Senate Republican leaders, running out of time to approve a budget and unable to persuade their own members to spend more of the state’s savings, signaled Tuesday they are willing to jettison Senate traditions — and run over Democrats — to get the job done.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/m4TrYh

It would be like thanking Ronald McDonald for the delicious cheeseburger

When the accolades came out Monday for the killing of Osama bin Laden , Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued an effusive statement thanking "the brave men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to tracking this individual down, particularly the members of our valiant special forces who flew into harm's way Sunday to finally put an end to bin Laden's murderous reign."

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/kZAveN

Irving minister, House's pastor for day, prays for Cowboys to win Super Bowl

The Rev. Ben Dailey, lead pastor of Irving's fast-growing Calvary Church, slipped in a plug for the 'Boys at the end of his invocation at the start of Tuesday's House floor session.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/iTPfgf

Senate OKs bill to require sonogram before abortion

AUSTIN — A sonogram bill that would require women seeking an abortion to hear a detailed description of their fetus, as well as be presented images and heartbeats, won Senate approval Monday, moving it closer to becoming one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/m7iPU8

Police memorial service in Austin today (video):

Law enforcement officers from all over Texas were in Austin today to remember their fallen brothers and sisters and honor their grieving families.

Senate may peel back some spending -- unless Combs saves the day

Senate GOP leaders appear to be trying to solidify Republican support for the two-year state budget by possibly getting rid of the rainy-day dollars in the bill that are causing heartburn for at least a couple of GOP senators. They might be able to partially offset that $3 billion loss by squeezing another $800 million of rainy-day money into a House-passed "supplemental" spending bill that already taps $3.1 billion of the state's savings account.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jvnOCY

House passes TxDOT Sunset bill, includes state review of NTTA

The House passed the TxDOT sunset bill today with an amendment that would require NTTA to undergo a state assessment.
The bill as passed would require NTTA to chose between either undergoing an annual audit by the state comptroller or be put under full sunset review.

Lindenbeger: http://dallasne.ws/jpxhEi

President Obama honored in Texas House

The House passed a resolution congratulating President Barack Obama and the U.S. armed forces on the capture and death of the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks.
The resolution by Rep. Joe Farias, D-San Antonio, recognized Obama's role in the end to a near 10-year mission to find Osama bin Laden. The GOP-dominated House -- which as a whole does not always have the kindest words for Washington D.C. nor the president -- responded with a standing ovation and unanimous support.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/lj2rTQ

Deuell is for Senate budget, no matter how they fund it

Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, had a cheeky way of explaining how he's happy to vote for the committee-passed Senate budget calling for $176.5 billion in spending of state and federal funds over the next two years -- no matter the mix of rainy-day money and "non-tax revenue" to pay for its last few billion.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lQmmJD

Tens of thousands sign up for Combs' offer of state-paid credit monitoring

Some 40,000 people of the 3.5 million whose information was left exposed by Comptroller Susan Combs' office have taken her up on a free credit monitoring offer and at some points overloaded the phone lines of the company providing the service.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/kE26Ux

Senate passes sonogram

Sen. Dan Patrick's sonogram bill passes 21-10.
The bill makes women seeking abortions to have a sonogram and be subject to viewing it and hearing the fetal heart beat. If she choses not to see the sonogram, a doctor must still listen to a detailed description of the fetus from what can be seen on a sonogram.

More from Hoppe here: http://dallasne.ws/iDg3Ho

Rainy-day maneuver on stopgap funding bill considered by Senate

 Senate budget writers are discussing the possibility of trying to "over fund" public schools by Aug. 31 with $3 billion of rainy-day money, so that schools can cover the cost of rapid growth in student enrollment in the next two-year cycle.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/m2oWDw

Senate gives standing ovation to Americans involved in bin Laden death

Texas senators gave a standing ovation to those involved in locating and killing Osama bin Laden as they began their week Monday. Among those who spoke was Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, who was a staff officer at the Pentagon on 9/11 when terrorists organized by bid Laden seized an American Airlines passenger jet and crashed it into the building. Birdwell suffered burns over 60 percent of his body and required 39 operations to repair and rebuild his body.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/jVNrL2

Senate budget still cuts $11 billion in spending

The Senate budget is seen as kinder and gentler than the harsh slashing in the House version. But it still makes some painful choices.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/j2aI1D

Obama gets faint GOP praise for bin Laden killing

GOP congressional leaders from Texas joined the chorus of praise this morning for the killing of Osama bin Laden . But praise for President Barack Obama himself, let alone his decisions and policies that led to Sunday's stunning development, was conspicuously absent.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/kX3vzx

Texas wildfires made worse by changes on the state’s vast landscape, scientists say

Some great environmental reporting from Randy Lee Loftis: http://dallasne.ws/jIArDc

Fact check: Kay Bailey Hutchison wrong about impact of Obama tax plan

Ever since Congress wrangled over the fate of Bush-era tax cuts last year, we’ve been attuned to the sermons about what will happen if they ever expire. In the doomsday scenario, often touted by Republicans, small business would get squeezed, jobs would be lost, and the economy would nose-dive.

Dave Michaels: http://dallasne.ws/iV6KIn

Watson advances budget transparency, 'truth in taxation' measures

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, tacked several parts of his "honesty agenda" onto three fiscal matters bills approved Friday by the Texas Senate. On the big "non-tax revenue" bill, Watson manuevered to win GOP leaders' acceptance of a provision that would pour more sunshine on key budget writers' use of "budget execution authority" to make cuts and move money around when the Legislature is not in session.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/lh9FsR

Texas Senate OKs bill raising nearly $4 billion — not from higher taxes

AUSTIN — A fractious Texas Senate, working on Friday for only the second time this session, approved a bill that would raise nearly $4 billion to help pay for its more costly version of the state budget.
Senators approved the “nontax revenue” bill, so named to emphasize ruling Republicans’ distaste for higher taxes, by a vote of 21-10. All 12 Democrats voted “aye.”

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kQaZ7r

House votes to disband scandal-plagued Texas Youth Commission

AUSTIN — The agency at the center of a sex scandal involving youth lockups is a step closer to being disbanded.
The House and Senate have both passed a bill to merge the Texas Youth Commission and the Juvenile Probation Commission to focus on community-based supervision and treatment programs and reserve the lockups for the most violent offenders.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/mQcxDa

Bill would ban Planned Parenthood from receiving Texas funds

AUSTIN — The Women’s Health Program, a highly touted project that provides birth control and health screenings to uninsured women, could continue in Texas only if Planned Parenthood — the program’s largest provider — is banned from participating, under a Senate bill deemed likely to pass.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mECZcd

Senators flustered as they try to raise 'non-tax revenue'

After about 90 minutes of debating how to balance its budget with "non-tax revenue," the Texas Senate appears to be melting down.
Despite Sen. Steve Ogden's insistence Friday morning that "we've got to do [Senate Bill] 1811 today," the Senate became embroiled in discussions, first, of a speed-up of business tax collections, and then of two Democrats' efforts to piggyback their measures on budget transparency and criminal defense of indigents.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/jtcLxH

Zaffirini criticizes Senate budget, while Dewhurst blasts Ds for 'posturing'

Maybe it's a coincidence. A day after Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst accused several unnamed Democratic senators of "trying to embarrass me and the Republicans" on the budget, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, unloaded.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kf4qpR

Perry asks why Alabama getting fed help and not Texas

The war of words between Gov. Rick Perry and Washington -- no, make that more personal -- and President Barack Obama, escalated in San Antonio yesterday.
As reported in the San Antonio Express News , Perry criticized Obama for paying attention to Alabama, where horrific storms leveled a swath of the state and killed 204 people, but failing to address the Texas wildfires, which have charred hundreds of thousands of acres.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/iLrSFN

Senate approves higher driver’s license fees

AUSTIN — Those long lines and waiting times to renew a driver’s license would be shortened considerably under legislation the Senate approved Thursday — but at a cost.
The measure, passed 26-5, would increase the cost of a license by a third — from $24 to $32 — with the additional revenue used to upgrade the state’s often-criticized driver’s license system and make renewals a less time-consuming process.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/k9rDKL

Nelson's social programs efficiency bill breezes through Senate

A bill that would squeeze nearly $500 million of savings out of social programs such as Medicaid over the next two years passed the Senate 31-0 Thursday.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/k3CiWB

Comptroller Susan Combs apologizes for data breach, offers credit monitoring to millions affected

AUSTIN -- Comptroller Susan Combs offered another apology Thursday for the information breach in her agency, saying she now is offering a year of free credit monitoring to the 3.5 million people at risk of identity theft after their data was exposed on a public computer server.
“I do take full responsibility for this, and that means responsibility to fix the problem,” Combs told The Dallas Morning News in her first interview since the breach.

Combs: http://dallasne.ws/ikSRVs

Senators balk at raising some fees, irking Ogden

 Senators defeated the first of Sen. Steve Ogden's "fiscal matters" bills Thursday, rejecting a proposed tripling of fees paid by foster-care contractors and child-care providers, as well as an increase of up to 12 percent in fees charged by state laboratories.
The vote was 20-11.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kCMDAy

State Auditor’s Office calls for more transparency from Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Emerging Technology Fund

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry and state legislators should take several steps to “promote greater transparency and accountability” in how taxpayers’ dollars are spent through the Texas Emerging Technology Program, according to a state audit.

Drew and Garrett report: http://dallasne.ws/ijE8j5

Ogden's only hope: nudging more fellow Rs to bless a rainy-day dip

Sen. Steve Ogden's stuck. The Senate's chief budget writer can't whip all 19 Senate Republicans into line behind spending $3 billion of rainy-day money to avoid House-style cuts to schools and social programs.
Topping most lists of Republicans who are suspected to be the holdouts in the Senate GOP caucus are Sens. Dan Patrick of Houston and Brian Birdwell of Granbury.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mIAqXT

UT and A&M presidents defend reactions to 7 solutions

The state's top two public universities have been shaken from Gov. Rick Perry's strong embrace of the so-called Seven Breakthrough Solutions, advanced by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mo694j

Ogden: 'No white smoke yet'

The entire 31-member Texas Senate met privately on the state budget for more than an hour Thursday morning before breaking.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/marJW7

House Dallas delegation battle to save district makeup in redistricting fight

Dallas representatives fought down amendments to change the proposed maps laid out in the House Wednesday, after fiery and telling arguments that revealed the importance of the redistricting debate to the lawmakers.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/imzHey

House kicks off debate over redistricting proposal

AUSTIN — The GOP-led Texas House kicked off debate Wednesday on a redistricting plan that would pit several Republican lawmakers against one another if they decide to seek re-election.
Some Republican members and activists want to make the map a bolder grab for conservative seats and limit the number of losses. But House leaders say they can do only so much given the constraints of federal anti-discrimination laws and shifts in population away from conservative rural areas and toward the suburbs that have seen explosive and diverse population growth.

(AP): http://dallasne.ws/lpsCTl

Texas higher education commissioner says idea of $10,000 college degree is ‘entirely feasible’

Texas’ higher education chief said Wednesday that Gov. Rick Perry’s idea of providing a bachelor’s degree that costs only $10,000 is “entirely feasible.”

Holly Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/mJTJN5

Texas state senators huddle, struggle to win broad support for budget

AUSTIN — Senate GOP leaders, trying to stitch together a needed supermajority for their version of the budget, said Wednesday that they’re fighting on two fronts, assuaging individual senators’ worries while fighting critics outside “the club.”

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kAHccn

Dewhurst writes letter saying he's comfy with Senate panel's budget

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst abruptly left a closed-door Senate caucus about an hour ago and very soon thereafter issued a letter praising his Senate colleagues' budget and seeming to say that, while he had quibbles about its possible use of rainy-day money, he's certainly a good team player and beseeches them to vote for the budget.
What a guy.

Dewhurst: http://dallasne.ws/mmorxt

Texas House bill restricts all sugary drinks sold in public school lunchrooms

AUSTIN — Aspen Jackson, a seventh-grader at Walker Middle School in Dallas, usually avoids sugary drinks at school and consumes healthier beverages at home.

Still, she wouldn’t be able to find her favorite drinks — whole milk and sugar-free Kool-Aid — at the North Dallas school, under legislation the House...

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/kCJVqd

Ogden says rainy-day-money critics are an obstacle as he faces sales test

 The Senate's chief budget writer says recent criticism of a rainy-day money "backstop" in the Senate budget is an impediment, but won't deter his effort to persuade colleagues to embrace his committee's two-year, $176.5 billion budget in a private huddle on Wednesday afternoon.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/m2vN16

Senator tries to revive handguns-on-campus bill

Stymied in his efforts to bring a handguns-on-campus bill before the full Senate, Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio , moved Wednesday to attach the proposal as an amendment to another higher education measure.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/jAZCLx

Texas skeptics and Obama's birth certificate

The president released his birth certificate this morning both to put to rest questions about whether he is a natural-born American, eligible to serve as president, and - perhaps more important, in terms of timing, at least -to paint Republicans as a bunch of whacko conspiracy theorists.

Gillman: http://dallasne.ws/lRrsMA

Perry skeptical of claims that House's cuts could close half of nursing homes

Gov. Rick Perry, sticking to his guns against further use of the state's rainy day fund, dismissed a question Tuesday about whether he's planning for dislocation of tens of thousands of elderly Texans if the House budget is passed and many nursing homes close.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gzJL1I

Obama releases birth form, decries 'silliness'

The AP's Julie Pace: http://dallasne.ws/h6QQHO

President Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate

View more documents from White House

Comptroller enlists firms with political ties to her after information breach

AUSTIN — Comptroller Susan Combs, seeking private companies to help respond to a massive information breach, enlisted two firms whose principals or political committees gave more than $50,000 to her campaigns.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/eHdqck

House tentatively approves puppy mill bill

The so-called puppy mill bill that would regulate large-scale commercial dog breeding operations passed the House 95 to 44 Tuesday.
The measure by Rep. Senfronia Thompson , D-Houston, would require a commercial breeder -- with 11 or more adult female breeding animals -- to obtain a license, pay a fee set by the Department of Licensing and Regulation and allow initial and annual inspections to uphold basic U.S. Department of Agriculture rules.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/fgAuci

Surfer dude, leader of House GOP caucus, credited with laid-back demeanor

Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, collected some kudoes from a hometown newspaper over the weekend. He also posed in swimtrunks and shirt and tie, with surfboard, to underscore his passion for surfing.
Taylor, chairman of the House Republican Caucus, may have more enemies among the tea party activists and the trial lawyers than this profile in The Galveston County Daily News suggested. But he is unquestionably affable and low key, as a judge who's one of his surfing buddies told the newspaper:

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hFEM0T

Aggies take over the Senate

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/ijK3Li

Smoking ban advocates try to win over lawmakers

With time ticking away in the legislative session, advocates for a ban on smoking in the workplace are bringing in big names to make their case to lawmakers.
High-ranking representatives of major non-profit health associations visited the Capitol on Tuesday to urge legislators to support a House bill by Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, and a Senate bill by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.

Shannon: http://dallasne.ws/eE5qyd

Eagles’ Don Henley works to preserve East Texas’ Caddo Lake

UNCERTAIN, Texas — Perched on a grimy bait-stand bench, beneath a sign that reads “fishing guides available,” a bearded man in an untucked denim shirt watches kids tumble off a dock into coffee-brown murk and boats cruise beneath the curtain of cypress.
At first glance, the sunburned man looks like any other Caddo Lake local.

Lee Hancock reports: http://dallasne.ws/e8ssHE

Balancing school budgets harder than just laying off administrators

It has almost become conventional wisdom: Keep teachers in the classroom, lay off administrators, and the school funding crisis is solved.
But that bit of wisdom may be more of a myth.
Karel Holloway: http://dallasne.ws/g1PYfq

Rick Perry throws GOP predecessors under the bus

One thing about Gov. Rick Perry : In hewing the tea party line, he has focused on his political success even if it means dissing the example of Republican predecessors who helped put him there.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/eOiFqm

Conservative groups buy TV ads urging budget cuts, no rainy day money

A conservative, Austin-based think tank announced Monday that it and six other conservative and small business groups have begun airing TV spots in Austin to press lawmakers to pass a two-year budget that neither raises taxes and fees nor taps the state's rainy day fund.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/foS1TV

Firefighters use ground and air attacks against Texas wildfires

Ted Kim: http://dallasne.ws/grL5XQ

Would Bill Clements be welcome in today’s tea party?

AUSTIN — Would Bill Clements be considered a Republican today?
Clements, who turned 94 this month, was the first Texas Republican governor in a century when he was elected in 1978. He was tough-minded and conservative, and his election marked the beginning of the spectacular rise of the modern Republican Party in Texas.
But it’s hard to see him passing muster with today’s tea party.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/gRkNoG

Texas may strip away transgender marriage rights

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Two years after Texas became one of the last states to allow transgendered people to use proof of their sex change to get a marriage license, Republican lawmakers are trying to roll back the clock.

Vertuno (AP) reports: http://dallasne.ws/ehejms

Texas teacher pension fund gave more in bonuses than all other state agencies combined, analysis shows

Investment managers for the state’s teacher retirement fund received more than $8.2 million in bonus payments this year, more than double what top employees in every other state agency combined have received since 2007, a Dallas Morning News analysis has found.

Tims, Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/f2ZIID

Gov. Rick Perry asks for prayer to help end the drought

Gov. Rick Perry is calling upon Texans to join in three days of prayer to end the drought. In a proclamation signed today, the governor referred to the devastating wildfires and the loss of life and property they have caused.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/ezN2rv

House bill to create an Innocence Commission fails on final reading

A House bill that would create a state panel to investigate the all the cases of those who were wrongfully imprisoned in the state failed on final reading in the House Thursday, although it already had received tentative approval.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/hO3ecQ

Rick Perry says Governor's Mansion will have solar energy panels

Perry said that when the Texas Governor's Mansion is finally renovated, there will be solar energy panels on the roof.
"The historical preservation folks went crazy," Perry said of his desire to outfit the mansion with the panels.

Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/gRMY6A

House postpones action on class size, teacher furlough bill

House members on Thursday delayed action on a hotly disputed bill that would authorize school districts to increase elementary class sizes, cut salaries and order teacher furloughs to save money. The measure by Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, is aimed at helping districts cope with big funding reductions next year, but teacher groups have dubbed it the "death star" because of its adverse impact on the teaching profession. School districts say they would have to cut as many as 65,000 employees statewide under a House budget approved earlier this month.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/ie9YRn

Texas Senate committee OKs budget that would ease cuts to schools, social services

AUSTIN — A Senate panel approved a two-year budget Thursday that would sidestep the House’s deep cuts to schools and social services, while not raising taxes.
“This bill keeps Texas government functioning and essential services available to Texans without doing harm to the private sector,” said Sen. Steve Ogden , R-Bryan, head of the Senate Finance Committee.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/ehB120