83rd Legislature

House Democrats Successfully Kill Welfare Drug Testing Bill

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:03:22 +0000

House Democrats were able to stall a vote on a bill that would have mandated welfare recipients be drug screened before receiving benefits, an action that ultimately killed the bill entirely.

The bill would have required anyone applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to be screened for illicit drug use and it immediately struck a chord with House Democrats like Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston.

Legislature Tightens Cell Phone Search Privacy

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:25:32 +0000

You may not be aware that currently police do not need a warrant to search through your GPS locator in your cell phone, but that is about to change.

The house passed House Bill 1608, which was added as an amendment to Senate Bill 1052, and stops the warrantless search of a person’s cell phone records.

What Medical Options Are Left For Texas’ Working Poor?

Ryan Poppe — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:28 +0000

Now that every opportunity for Medicaid expansion is gone at the state capitol, the lawmaker who authored the GOP plan, which eventually failed, explained what medical options are left for the state’s working poor.

Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, is a doctor and has seen first hand the problems the 1.5 million Texans without health insurance face when it comes to seeking medical care.

Bill To Prohibit Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws Dies In Senate

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:14:32 +0000

House Bill 928 would criminalize any police officer enforcing a new federal gun law in the state of Texas, and it immediately struck tensions between Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.

"I could be for this if you take an amendment I’m going to offer to your bill," said Ellis. "I’m going to offer an amendment to close the 'gun show loophole.'"

Both Sides Compromise To Pass State Budget Bill

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:44:14 +0000

After several late-nights of heated discussions, a joint committee of senators and representatives unanimously approved a $100 billion state budget.

For the last week Republicans and Democrats have gone back and forth arguing about what should be left in the state’s budget and what should be left out.

The biggest factor was how much Republicans would be willing to give up to restore funding for public education.

Water Resolution Passes Despite Republican Concerns, Democrat Protests

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:18:07 +0000

A House budget committee passed Senate Joint Resolution 1 to fund state-related water plans. The measure sets up an empty fund that the state can use to fund water projects over the next 50 years, and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

While many of the committee confidently voted for the resolution, others had reservations.

Lawmaker Finds Last-Minute State Funding Mechanism For Roads

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

At this point in the legislative calendar many bills are facing a looming demise, but Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said he has found another way to get money for transportation needs.

"One of the obvious ways is to take some money in the budget and devote it to our energy related zones that have borne the burden of most of the oil and gas production. They are just simply deteriorating and they’re not safe anymore," Darby said.

House Democrats Holding Out Over Education Funding On State Budget Bill

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:59:20 +0000

After meeting for hours behind closed doors, House Democratic leaders declined the Republican deal on the state’s budget bill.

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, the vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus, said House Democrats are unified in their stance against the budget in its current form, which promises $3.2 billion for education funding.

Gov. Perry Closer To Getting His $1.8 Billion In Businesses Tax Breaks

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:29:08 +0000

A bill that provides $630 million worth of tax incentives has already made its way out of the House, and is now heading to the Senate floor for a vote.

The bill has been altered from its original wording, streamlining those benefiting down to one business group.

Lawmaker Seeking Alternative Path For Immigrant Driver Permit Bill

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:32 +0000

At this late stage in the legislative session, most bills that haven't made it out of at least one chamber are left to the wind, but there is still a chance for a bill with bipartisan support that proposes to provide immigrants without legal documentation a driver’s permit.

Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, is carrying the bill, which was authored by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.