Tag: Texas Legislature

Good, Bad and Ugly

Campus Carry, Halliburton Layoffs, and Saving Butterflies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Houston News

Posted on · From the legislature taking up another measure that would allow licensed, concealed firearms on Texas college campuses, to 5,000-6,000 layoffs at Halliburton; and from re-imagining Houston’s bus routes to saving the endangered monarch butterfly by planting more milkweed: we discuss The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of this week’s news. Our panel of non-experts […]

Houston Matters

Is Truancy a Matter for Criminal Courts?

Posted on · Texas and Wyoming are the only U.S. states that will prosecute kids in adult criminal court for failing to attend school. Opponents of Texas’ truancy law characterize it not as a way to properly address truancy but rather the establishment of dropout courts. Lawmakers sought to change the system in 2013; Governor Perry vetoed legislation […]

Houston Matters

What Are the Big Issues at the Legislature in Education, Healthcare, Transportation and the Environment?

Posted on · The 84th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature enters its fourth week today. Over the last week, Houston Public Media News 88.7 reporters have been examining some of the key issues lawmakers may consider this session. On this edition of Houston Matters, we present reports from a few of them, examining proposed bills involving education, […]

Houston Matters

Rule Change Gives GOP Stronger Hold on Texas Senate

Posted on · On Wednesday, the Texas Senate voted to eliminate what has come to be known as the "two-thirds rule." The move strengthens Republicans' majority power, as it scraps Democrats' ability to block bills on party-line votes. The GOP holds a 20 to 11 Senate majority. The old rule left Republicans a vote short of bringing up […]

Houston Matters

Lawmakers Share Their Plans for the New Legislative Session

Posted on · Today lawmakers from across the state are gathering in Austin for the kick-off of the new legislative session. Together, their main job is to pass a budget for the next two years. But local lawmakers also have their own priorities. News 88.7’s Laura Isensee has been talking to members of the Houston delegation about those […]

Houston Matters

What’s in Store for the 2015 Legislature?

Posted on · On the second Tuesday of odd numbered years, the Texas Legislature begins its biennial session. For a maximum of 140 days, lawmakers will decide the fate of Houstonians and Texans alike. But what does that mean for you and what are some of the bills that will be up for discussion? Â This year marks […]

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Legislature Preview, Evolution of a Criminal, and Sports Monday: Houston Matters for Monday, Jan. 12, 2015

Posted on · On the second Tuesday of odd numbered years, the Texas Legislature begins its biennial session. For a maximum of 140 days, lawmakers will decide the fate of Houstonians and Texans alike. But what does that mean for you and what are some of the bills that will be up for discussion? This year marks a […]

Houston Matters

How the Next Legislature Could Affect Texas Healthcare

Posted on · A recent interim report from the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services outlined a number of legislative recommendations to address some of the state’s health care challenges. We learn about the findings in the report and look ahead to what lawmakers might consider during the upcoming 84th legislative session. We welcome your questions […]

Houston Matters

Could a Texting and Driving Ban Pass this Legislative Session?

Posted on · The start of the next legislative session in Austin is still a couple of months away, but state lawmakers are already beginning to file bills. Among them: State Representative Tom Craddick, who has once again filed a measure calling for a texting-while-driving ban. It’s similar to a bill passed in 2011, which Gov. Perry vetoed. […]

Houston Matters

Lawsuit Seeks to Block Further Implementation of Texas Abortion Law

Posted on · A trial is set to begin today in an Austin federal court over a lawsuit that seeks to block further implementation of the abortion legislation that passed in a special session of the Texas Legislature last year. Part of the law took effect last November, which reduced the number of places in Texas that can […]

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Houston Matters for Friday, August 9, 2013

Posted on · The Texas Legislature has passed, and Governor Perry has signed, a law which would require some Texans seeking unemployment benefits to pass a drug test. There are numerous questions about the law, including exactly who it covers, in which occupations, whether the state should actually have the right to require such testing, and whether it […]

Good, Bad and Ugly

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Posted on · A lot can happen in a week. We explore the good, bad, and ugly news in, around, and effecting Houston, with our panel. Topics like the second Special Session: Governor Perry's decision not to seek another term; the Houston Rockets signing Dwight Howard; a new planned theme park from the Astroworld GM, Khalid Sheik Mohammed […]

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Houston Matters for Friday, July 12, 2013

Posted on · A lot can happen in a week here in Texas. In politics, Governor Perry’s announced he will not seek another term in office. In a second special session, the Texas House has passed a bill limiting abortion. Here in Houston, we await the official arrival of NBA star Dwight Howard, as the newest Houston Rocket. […]

Houston Matters

Abortion in Texas

Posted on · The Texas legislature's special session ended in dramatic fashion early Wednesday, as Senate Bill 5, which would set new restrictions on abortions in Texas, seemed to have been passed by lawmakers. But, as it turns out, they didn't conduct the vote before midnight – when the session was mandated to end – despite initial claims […]

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Houston Matters for Friday, June 28, 2013

Posted on · The Supreme Court's spring session ended with a bang. The High Court issued dramatic rulings on several highly anticipated cases involving civil rights, some originating here in Texas, and all with implications for Houstonians. The Court struck down DOMA, and instructed a lower court to dismiss a challenge to a ruling striking down Prop 8 […]