TheRepublic.com - Rick Perry News

House approves gun training for some teachers

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:07:06 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House late Monday approved a plan to train some teachers who are already licensed to carry firearms for gunfights that could erupt in their classrooms.

'Resign to run' OKed for railroad commissioners

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:46:24 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has approved a requirement that state railroad commissioners resign their posts to run for another office.

Will Boy Scouts accept gay youth? Vote is imminent

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:26:37 -0400

With its ranks deeply divided, the Boy Scouts of America is asking its local leaders from across the country to decide whether its contentious membership policy should be overhauled so that openly gay boys can participate in Scout units.

Tornado-ravaged Texas town to start recovery

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:43:14 -0400

GRANBURY, Texas - Residents whose homes were torn apart or blown away by a North Texas deadly tornado can soon return to retrieve what belongings may be left and start cleaning up, authorities said Friday.

Perry says Texas monitoring tornado recovery

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:25 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas leaders have offered concern and support to communities raked by tornadoes that have left at least six people dead.

Texas budget deal still elusive despite confidence

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:59:48 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Compromise on a new Texas budget remained elusive late Wednesday as House and Senate negotiators worked deep into the night with no word of a deal after earlier confidence that one was imminent.

Texas House defeats term limits referendum

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:25:35 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A proposed constitutional amendment that would have let voters decide whether to limit statewide officeholders to two consecutive terms ran into a buzz saw in the Texas House late Wednesday, with lawmakers voting overwhelming to defeat it despite none voicing opposition from the floor.

House sends donor disclosure bill to Gov. Perry

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:08:12 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A proposal requiring politically active nonprofits to publicly disclose their major donors cleared the Texas Legislature on Tuesday, despite repeated attempts by conservative lawmakers to kill it and mounting pressure on Gov. Rick Perry to veto it.

Guns on campus bill heads to full Texas Senate

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:25 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A bill to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into Texas college buildings and classrooms got a significant boost in the state Senate on Tuesday, but it remains unclear if it has enough momentum to become law.

Budget surpluses spur tension in some GOP states

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:46:58 -0400

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - Turns out that cutting was the easy part. Now Republicans who control a majority of the state capitols in the United States face a far greater philosophical dilemma - what to do with all the money when an improving economy suddenly creates a surplus in revenues.

Texas House votes to weaken university regents

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:38:38 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas lawmakers moved to assert more control over state higher education on Monday when the House voted to require that most university regents be appointed while lawmakers are in session, and limit their powers to fire campus presidents.

Highlights from around the Capitol

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:21:46 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Following a week of wobbly talks over a new Texas budget, House and Senate negotiators met publicly Monday to settle some of the fine print and described making "very positive" progress in private about big-ticket items.

House OKs ethics bill Senate tried to recall

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:10:41 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has approved requiring the disclosure of donors to some tax-exempt, politically active organizations.

House, Senate face impasse over budget

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:11:41 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Republicans control both chambers of the Texas Legislature, but that hasn't kept them from reaching an impasse over the state budget.

Budget deal stumbles with 2 weeks left in session

Sat, 11 May 2013 14:49:52 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Forget those feel-good vibes at the Capitol. Unless a deal on a new Texas budget is struck in the next two weeks, a summer bummer is coming.

Perry greets Obama at Austin airport

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:39:09 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Rick Perry has greeted President Barack Obama at the Austin airport with a handshake.

Bill reducing training for concealed guns passes

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:43:11 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate has approved and sent to Gov. Rick Perry a bill drastically reducing the hours of training needed to get a state concealed handgun license.

Judge rules for cheerleaders in Bible banner suit

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:47:26 -0400

HOUSTON - A judge ruled Wednesday that cheerleaders at a Southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games.

Protesters demand Medicaid expansion as hopes fade

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:24:20 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Dozens of protesters marched through the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, demanding expansion of the Medicaid program, but Democrats said political pressure from the governor was preventing the Legislature from considering the measure.

Perry: Special session if no $1.8B in tax cuts

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:18:36 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - With still more than two weeks to go in Texas' legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday it's too early to issue ultimatums to lawmakers.

Perry would 'be happy' to join Obama in Austin

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:34:46 -0400

HOUSTON - Gov. Rick Perry is welcoming President Barack Obama ahead of his visit to Austin this week.

Texas House shifts focus to tax breaks

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:11:59 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House will begin slowly and selectively whittling down the state business tax this week, as Republicans work to make good on a promise to cut taxes.

NRA, gun control advocates say fight far from over

Sat, 04 May 2013 19:16:21 -0400

HOUSTON - National Rifle Association leaders told members Saturday that the fight against gun control legislation is far from over, with battles yet to come in Congress and next year's midterm elections, but they vowed that none in the organization will ever have to surrender their weapons.

Obama expands disaster aid to West

Thu, 02 May 2013 04:08:16 -0400

DALLAS - President Barack Obama has approved expanded disaster relief for those damaged by a devastating Central Texas fertilizer plant.

House gives tentative OK to fixed college tuition

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:10:05 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Public universities in Texas would have to offer students fixed four-year tuition prices under a bill that has cleared a key House vote.