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Highlights from around the Capitol
Starting the final weekend of a legislative session that may be the last under Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Senate passed a roughly $100 billion state budget Saturday that mostly reverses historic spending cuts to public schools and squeezes most of the revenue spoils of a resurgent Texas economy. The ...
Senate passes budget, deal reached on education
The Texas Senate passed a $94.6 billion budget, top policymakers reached overhauling public education and Gov. Rick Perry received a bill requiring drug screening for unemployment benefits on Saturday, as the Texas Legislature worked to wrap up regular business before the end of the 83rd Legislative session. The two-year spending ...
Senate OK's $100B Texas budget on final weekend
Starting the final weekend of a legislative session that may be the last under Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Senate passed a roughly $100 billion state budget Saturday that mostly reverses historic spending cuts to public schools and squeezes most of the revenue spoils of a resurgent Texas economy. The ...
House, Senate reach testing, charter schools deal
House and Senate negotiators said Saturday they have reached a deal to overhaul high school standardized testing and curriculum standards while also dramatically increasing the number of charter schools allowed to operate in Texas. Public Education has dominated the legislative session, with both chambers approving different versions of a charter ...
Perry vetoes 'dark money' disclosure bill
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed a bill that required some politically active nonprofits to disclose their major donors, saying it would have a "chilling effect" on free speech. The bill had been seen as a likely target for a veto as influential conservative groups had urged Perry to strike ...
House adjourns while lawmakers resolved difference
The Texas House has adjourned after less than 90 minutes on the third to last day of the session. Representatives cheered Saturday when the announcement came from the chairman. The Senate kept working. With less than 36 hours left to pass laws during this regular session, lawmakers normally work all ...
Lawmakers approve changes for prisoners
Prisoners who have completed their sentences would get help readjusting to society under a measure approved by the Texas Legislature. A unanimous Senate vote on Saturday sent the governor a comprehensive bill addressing the mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The biggest policy change requires the agency to ...
Bill modifies concealed handgun licenses
Texas lawmakers have sent to Gov. Rick Perry a bill that allows concealed handgun license holders to carry a revolver or semi-automatic pistol, regardless of what they trained with on the shooting range. Current law certifies license holders to carry only the type of gun they use to get their ...
Thousands of bridges at risk of freak collapse
Thousands of bridges around the U.S. may be one freak accident or mistake away from collapse, even if the spans are deemed structurally sound. The crossings are kept standing by engineering design, not supported with brute strength or redundant protections like their more modern counterparts. Bridge regulators call the more ...
Drug tests for unemployment benefits approved
Workers who lose their jobs would have to clear a drug screening to qualify for unemployment compensation under a proposal approved by the Texas Legislature. Under current law, employers take out insurance policies to help laid-off workers survive on weekly payments of $62 to $440. Those who are fired for ...
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