Trey Martinez Fischer

Republicans Attach Redistricting Maps To Another Bill To Get Them Out Of Committee

Ryan Poppe — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:52:24 +0000

A bill that would’ve decided the fate of voting maps for members of the Texas House initially failed to pass because of several extended phone conversations.

After waiting for over 15 minutes for Republican members to return to the hearing for a vote, an order was given to find the missing representatives.

After a vote was cast, Rep Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, who is the committee chairman, asked to be excused to check the back offices for the missing Republicans.

The Source: Death At The Bexar County Jail | Westside Creek Development

Paul Flahive — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:24:58 +0000

In the first segment:

San Antonio Current writer Michael Barajas documented the events that led to the death of Thomas Taylor while he was in custody at the Bexar County Jail on August 21, 2012.

State Republicans Begin To Show Signs Of Redistricting Flexibility

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 31 May 2013 21:49:00 +0000

The chairman of the House Redistricting Committee indicated they are willing to provide some flexibility in the development of new election maps for the state.

Like his counterpart in the Senate Redistricting Committee, Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said he will entertain alternative voting maps during the special session.

Committee Approves Water Bill Despite Funding Disagreement

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:03:22 +0000

The Committee on Natural Resources has sent a water funding bill to the House floor that addresses one of the key points stressed by Governor Perry at the start of this legislative session.

Rep. Allan Ritter, R- Nederland, said HB 4 provides$2 billion of state funds that city municipalities and businesses can tap into for their water needs.

Should College Students Be Required To Do Community Service In Order To Graduate?

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:20:26 +0000

A law being floated in the Texas House would require college students to perform community service before they would be allowed to graduate.

San Antonio Representative Trey Martinez Fisher says he wrote the bill with one objective in mind.

"We want to make sure our students are coming out of college with a well-rounded experience"

Martinez Fischer points out that there needs to be a meaningful experience for students that is outside of the academic framework.

Supreme Court Takes Up Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Leaders Voice Support

David Martin Davies — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:15:00 +0000

On Wednesday the U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case that could considerably weaken a key part of the Voting Rights Act. Texas civil rights leaders say Latino and African American voters in the state will certainly be discriminated against should a part of the Voting Rights Act be struck down.

Martinez Fischer Pushes Legislature To Restore Education Cuts

Ben Philpott, KUT News and Ben Philpott, KUT News — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:36:04 +0000

Agenda Texas as heard on KUT 90.5

The Texas legislature cut more than $5 billion from public education in 2011 to help balance the state budget.

What Happened To The Texas Sanctuary Cities Emergency?

David Martin Davies — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:58:34 +0000

The Texas legislature convened in Austin on Tuesday, and there was no mention from Gov. Rick Perry about illegal immigration legislation.

In Jan. 2011 Perry gave the traditional opening remarks to the 82nd Texas legislature and he made it clear – he wanted a crackdown on illegal immigration.

"We must abolish sanctuary cities in Texas," Perry said to applause from the newly sworn in lawmakers.