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