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Families hope teens learn new Texas law takes fear out of calling for help
Thursday, June 23, 2011
by Ryan Loyd
weareaustin.com
Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill into law that gives immunity to a minor seeking help for a friend in an emergency.
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, authored the…
New Laws Push Government Transparency, Protect Privacy
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
by Becca Aronson
The Texas Tribune
It's a tough balance to strike for state officials: promoting government transparency on the web while protecting people's private information.
Lawmakers just wrapping up the 82nd legislative session…
Perry Signs, Abbott Lauds Sexting Bill
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
by Beth Brown
The Texas Tribune
Prosecutors will be able to punish kids who send explicit photos to each other without resorting to putting them on the sex offender registry, under a bill Attorney…
Consensus reached on water, energy and state parks bills
Thursday, June 16, 2011
by Laura Huffman
San Antonio Express-News
We've sadly come to expect reports from the Legislature to be the same old story: fights, finger-pointing and details of who won and who lost. In frustration, we often…
Watson: Texans will pay a steep price for the Legislature's budget failures
Friday, June 03, 2011
by Kirk Watson
Austin American-Statesman
For 140 days, Texas' budget writers leaned on the glue and duct tape of gimmickry and denial, trying to patch up the state's rickety budget and school finance system.
Bill to lessen sexting offense heads to governor
Friday, May 27, 2011
by Erin Mulvaney
Dallas Morning News
The Senate sent the bill to the governor Friday that would allow minors who send nude or sexual pictures to each other to receive a misdemeanor instead of a felony…
This is a TV program Perry should love
Monday, May 23, 2011
by Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
People of a certain age come to realize that marketing boasts of "new and improved" sometimes come attached to products that really are not all that new and perhaps not…
Travis County would be split four ways under state Senate redistricting map
Thursday, May 12, 2011
by Mike Ward
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, now split into two state Senate districts, would be divided into four districts under a controversial new plan made public Wednesday.
One of those districts would stretch to Laredo,…
Leadership as a mere fraction
Thursday, May 05, 2011
by Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
Here was the question of the day on Wednesday at the Capitol: Are Texas Senate rules more important than passing a budget?
For generations, the Texas Senate has reverently followed…
Watson advances budget transparency, 'truth in taxation' measures
Saturday, April 30, 2011
by Robert T. Garrett
Dallas Morning News
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, tacked several parts of his "honesty agenda" onto…
Senators tend budget gap with rainy day reserves
Friday, April 22, 2011
by Kate Alexander
Austin American-Statesman
A $176.5 billion budget that patches some deep cuts to state services easily cleared a Texas Senate panel Thursday after lawmakers agreed to dip into the state's reserve fund.
Senate…
Combs, Watson see the need for transparency
Saturday, April 09, 2011
by Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
It is our belief, one we hope you share, that government can never be too transparent. It is also our belief that ever-evolving technology offers new and innovative ways to…
Thousands protest deep spending cuts in education, human services
Thursday, April 07, 2011
by Chuck Lindell
Austin American-Statesman
Led by union workers from across Texas, thousands of chanting marchers converged on the Capitol on Wednesday to protest the recently passed House budget's deep spending cuts to education, health…
Odd alliance -- boy! -- supports more transparency on state finances
Thursday, April 07, 2011
by Robert T. Garrett
Dallas Morning News
Bill would have insurance companies provide side by side comparisons to consumers
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
by Patrick Graves
Quorum Report
Texas consumers could get a clearer picture of how insurance companies change their coverages and premiums, and legislators may get a handle on insurance rates and practices under a bill…
