85th Texas Legislature Preview

Can the GOP-run House and Senate get along well enough to get anything accomplished?

"...captured the underlying conflict leading into the 85th Texas Legislature, it came on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 5...."

Jan. 13, 2017 News Feature by the News Staff

State Budget Estimate Up, But Much Already Spent

Texas prepares for second half of grand bait and switch

"...As the Texas Legislature prepares to reconvene tomorrow, there's some good budget news..."

Jan. 7, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Carona Says Filibuster About Process, Not Vengeance

Watson blasts local-option opponents as "bumper-sticker arguments"

"...have misleadingly portrayed it as an attempt by the Legislature to raise taxes itself. The Senate version amended Carona’s..."

May 31, 2009 News Post by Lee Nichols

Legislative Update

Passage of bills spells progress for local food movement

"...expands on last session's cottage foods law, Senate Bill 81...."

May 8, 2013 Food Post by Anna Toon

Topless Tax Bottoming Out?

Two competing bills at play over admission fees at topless clubs

May 22, 2009 News Column by Richard Whittaker

Mr. Smarty Pants Knows

Shemp, 'O Holy Night,' bathrooms vs. kitchens, and House Bill 81

"...House Bill 81 from the 82nd Texas Legislature (2011) and House Bill..."

Jan. 14, 2011 Column by Mr. Smarty Pants

November 2020 General Election Results

"...Mary "MJ" Hegar (D) 405,003 68.0% / 4,819,978 43.7%..."

Nov. 6, 2020 News Feature

Communication Breakdown

The city's plan to implement a radio system is turning into a long, high-dollar project

"...four years after the existing network was implemented in 1980-81. Hobby, then with the city's radio shop, and Williams,..."

Dec. 10, 1999 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Clouds Over Campus

With less funding, more competition, and a wavering vision, UT-Austin faces an uncertain future

"...The recent shifts all started with the Texas Legislature, which last session made higher education a priority. The..."

May 21, 2010 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Prop 1 Election Results

Uber and Lyft vs. Austin, the numbers through the night

"...measure, it's going down there by a wide percentage: 481 (45.25%) for, 582 (54.75%) against, a 9.5 point spread...."

May 7, 2016 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: Things to Do in Texas When You're Lege

The special agenda is not so special

"...it's been pointed out many times that should the Legislature remain in session longer and more frequently than five..."

June 7, 2013 News Column by Michael King

Scratch That: Lege Ends Lottery, Then Changes Mind

House avoids $2 billion school funding hole by saving scratch cards

"...Lead by freshman Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney, in a 65-81 record vote, the House rejected the bill, effectively dissolving..."

April 23, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

The War on Women's Health

To attack Planned Parenthood, lawmakers undermine health care ... and promote more abortions

"...allowable. "Spearheading [that effort] means that members [of the Legislature] had come to Texas Right to Life asking about..."

April 22, 2011 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

"...unanticipated in the 2004 bond. For instance, the state Legislature has since required that all high school graduates take..."

Feb. 2, 2007 News Feature

State Results

"...Attorney General Greg Abbott (R)* 96,126 / 43.1% • 2,549,818 / 59.5% David Van Os (D) 115,599 / 51.9%..."

Nov. 10, 2006 News Feature

Naked City

Green Grades

"...and eight Senate votes, as well as nine Texas Legislature votes...."

March 1, 2002 News Feature by Lee Nichols

City Budget Squeezed Between Basic Costs and State Neglect

The city has $1.03 billion in taxpayer money. Here's where it's going.

"...& fee increase (for a "typical" median-value home): 4.6% ($14.81/month)..."

Aug. 11, 2017 News Feature by Michael King

Public Citizen Tom “Smitty” Smith Looks Back on a Life Well Lived

The man in the white hat's relentless hard work and willed optimism

"...nationally. He would later use similar tactics at the Legislature, in support of a law to enable food banks..."

Dec. 16, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Shortchanged

A lot of belt tightening and creative thinking make getting by with low dollars possible for AISD

"...vexing one for AISD budget creators, thanks to the Legislature. During the most recent legislative session, there was some..."

Sept. 4, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

School Finance on Trial

Hearing only expected to last a short two and a half hours

"...Texas School Coalition (representing 60 wealthier districts); a further 81 districts headed by Fort Bend ISD; and the Mexican-American..."

Aug. 28, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

A Declaration of Independence

Zavala Elementary and Principal Sean Fox are succeeding at going their own way

"...from 77% to 78%. Zavala jumped from 74% to 81%. It was the same across the board: reading, up..."

May 9, 2014 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Red-Light Cameras on Trial

State Reps. Fred Hill, Carl Isett Collide Over Red-Light Cameras

"...to prove the safety value of traffic cameras, the Legislature could vote in the next session to ban the..."

May 16, 2007 News Post by Amy Smith

Turnaround Tale

Annie's List jumps out of the red and into the blue

"...Bolton, the two other incoming freshmen to the 2007 Legislature – Paula Hightower Pierson of Dallas and Ellen Cohen..."

Dec. 8, 2006 News Feature by Amy Smith

Naked City

Texas voters give their assent to all 22 constitutional amendments.

"...This measure declared constitutional the limits passed by the Legislature this spring on noneconomic damage awards in medical-malpractice lawsuits..."

Sept. 19, 2003 News Feature by Michael King

Horsepower Now, Health Care ... Whenever

"...As of Wednesday, two bills from the 78th Legislature had been signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry:..."

April 11, 2003 News Feature by Michael King

Postmarks

The dog-running controversy continues … and chalk another one up for Ventura.

"...them? Then call a special session of the Texas Legislature, insist that our lawmakers pass a package of strict..."

Oct. 1, 1999 Column

Texas Lege Preview: Homophobic Holdout

Democrats try to remove anti-gay laws; Republicans don't want kids to be trans

"...As usual in the Texas Legislature, Republicans outnumber Democrats, and bills reducing freedoms for LGBTQ..."

Jan. 13, 2023 News Feature by Maggie Q. Thompson

Texas House Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban

SB 8 allows anyone the right to sue a provider

"...In an 81-63 initial vote on Wednesday, May 5, the Republican-dominated Texas..."

May 5, 2021 News Post by Mary Tuma

The Other Four Candidates for Senate District 14

More and merry candidates join the fun

"...he excoriated "unelected bureaucrats" and said that in the Legislature he would pursue "double-digit budget cuts across the board,"..."

July 10, 2020 News Feature by Michael King

The Legacy of BT2 and Beyond

Owners recall 30-plus years in Austin gay bar business

"...doing this for about 35 years. Right now I’m 81 years old and it’s just time to quit...."

May 16, 2020 Qmmunity Post by Beth Sullivan

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