“Sanctuary” bill protesters arrested.
On Monday, about 25 protesters at the State Insurance Building on the Capitol grounds were charged with trespassing by DPS troopers after a day-long sit-in. Protesters gathered in opposition to Senate Bill 4, legislation outlawing “sanctuary” jurisdictions, which passed the full House after more than 16 hours of debate last week. To read more…
Franchise tax on the chopping block.
On Thursday, the House gave final passage to House Bill 28 by Rep. Dennis Bonnen a vote of 96-39, with 2 representatives present and not voting. The bill would gradually eliminate the state business-franchise tax, also known as the “margins tax,” which is pegged to a business’ gross receipts. To read more…
Senate Nominations considers TABC nominee.
Kevin Lilly, Gov. Greg Abbott’s nominee to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), appeared before the Senate Nominations Committee on Monday. If confirmed, Lilly will become one of three TABC commissioners. To read more…
Texas Peace Officers celebrated at the Capitol.
Sunday kicked off a two-day ceremony in honor of Texas Peace Officers. The event culminated in a memorial on the Capitol steps, where Gov. Greg Abbott addressed thousands of officers and their families. To read more…
Only in Austin…
Looking to experience Austin from a new vantage point? Segway tours are a great way to explore the rich history and culture of downtown. To read more…
The Senate and House budget conferees held an organizational meeting on Monday. The appointees are Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond), Rep. Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), Rep. Sarah Davis (R-West University Place), Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), and Rep. Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock). 
After a four-hour discussion on more than 30 proposed amendments, the House voted 132-15 to give final passage to House Bill 21 by House Public Education Committee Chairman Dan Huberty (R-Houston). The bill would inject $1.6 billion into public schools and simplify complicated school funding formulas. 
Gov. Abbott has appointed Tina Yturria Buford and Carl Ray Polk, Jr. to the Soil and Water Conservation Board for terms set to expire February 1, 2018 and February 1, 2019 respectively. The Board is charged with coordinating state conservation and pollution reduction efforts, as well as administering soil and water conservation law. 
The House Insurance and Senate Business and Commerce Committees heard bills seeking to reform Texas’ title insurance industry on Tuesday. Both bills were left pending but this issue doesn’t seem to be going away with heavy hitters on both sides of the issue. 
On Tuesday, the House gave final passage to House Bill 59 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City), which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. Under the Texas Public Information Act, the Lottery Commission is currently required to release information on all prize winners. 
The UT Tower is home to the only peregrine falcon known to live year-round in Central Texas. Each spring, she makes a nest and lays eggs. When it became clear last week that this year’s clutch of eggs would not hatch, the university decided to remove them for research. 
Yesterday, the Senate released the names of its five appointees to the conference committee for the state budget: Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown). 
Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Greg Abbott, Robert Allen, has been named President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation. Allen will replace Tracye McDaniel, who left last month to launch a specialized consulting firm. 
Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chair Donna Nelson, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2008, has announced she will step down in May. The PUC oversees state electric, telecommunications, water, and sewer utilities. 
Think you know Austin? Have you visited the Secret Beach? How about the “You’re My Butter Half” mural? Check out 
The Texas House passed a $218 billion budget after 15 hours of debate on hundreds of amendments. Chairman Zerwas (R-Richmond) of the House Appropriations Committee brought his abacus, a fist fight nearly broke out over feral hogs, and the budget passed on a final vote of 131-16. A conference committee will be charged with reconciling the House and Senate versions of the budget. 
Last week, the Senate Higher Education Committee discussed the possible repeal of the Top 10 Percent Rule when it took up Senate Bill 2119 by Sen. Seliger (R-Amarillo). The repeal would significantly impact undergraduate admissions at public universities across the state, considering 75% of freshmen at UT Austin alone are admitted automatically by this rule. SB 2119 was left pending in committee. 
On Tuesday, the House unanimously approved House Bill 281 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin). The bill directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to establish a statewide database for DNA evidence from sexual assault cases. 
Late nights at the office call for pies from our favorite neighborhood pizzeria, Milto’s! 
Tomorrow the House will debate the budget on the House Floor. To add to the excitement, 402 pre-filed amendments will be considered as well. It appears no issue has been left out, with amendments touching on everything from border security to bathrooms. 
The Texas House is on its way to passing House Bill 10 by Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo), addressing mental health parity. The bill would require insurance benefits for mental health treatment to be equal to coverage provided for physical health care.
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 19 by Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) by a vote of 29-2. The bill freezes tuition at public universities for two years and caps tuition increases at 1 percent plus inflation after that time. 
Tuesday marked the 100-year anniversary of Gov. James “Pa” Ferguson signing the bill that created what is now the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT has changed much over the past century, which is not surprising given that Texas had just 200,000 registered drivers in 1917. 
Last Wednesday, the Texas Capitol’s outdoor rotunda was filled with visitors from SeaWorld San Antonio. Penny and Pete, the African penguins, have been happily married for many years. 
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Public Education voted 10-1 in favor of House Bill 21 by Committee Chairman Dan Huberty (R-Houston). The bill adds $1.6 billion to the state public education system, in part to boost the per-student funding in nearly every district. 
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1, the general appropriations bill by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). The budget bill, passed unanimously and without amendments, would shift nearly $2 billion in public education costs from the state to local taxpayers. 
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee considered Senate Bill 1147, which would establish a Texas State Music Museum and Texas Music Foundation in Austin. Testimony on the bill concluded with a bluesy jam session by a guitar and flute duo who happened to bring their instruments along to testify. 
On Sunday, Dustin Johnson beat out Jon Rahm in the 18-hole final of the World Golf Championship-Dell Technologies Match Play at the Austin Country Club. The victory marks Johnson’s third straight PGA Tour title since moving to No. 1 in the World Ranking last month. 
The Texas Senate voted 18-12 in favor of Senate Bill 2 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston). This bill seeks to curb the growth in property taxes that local government agencies like cities and counties can levy on landowners, by requiring an election vote for a property tax increase of 5 percent or more. 
Senate Bills 87 and 88, which together would ban red light cameras across Texas, passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee late last week. Some law enforcement officers say that red light cameras reduce intersection crashes, but others say that they are less effective than law enforcement officers and are not worth the hefty cost. 
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate voted 23-7 to send Senate Bill 17 by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) to the House. The bill would cut the state’s franchise tax in future years, so long as state revenue continues to grow at a certain rate. No amendments were made to the bill on the floor. 
Last week, the Senate Business and Commerce Committee heard three bills aimed at overriding local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies, such as Uber and Lyft. At issue is whether these companies must require their drivers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks. 
Last Thursday was City of West Day at the Texas Capitol. West residents delivered kolaches to various offices and Czech dancers performed the chicken dance in the Rotunda. 
Friday was the 60th day of the Texas legislative session and the last day to file legislation. Nearly 8,000 pieces of legislation were filed in total. Approximately 5,200 bills and resolutions were filed in the Texas House, and more than 2,700 pieces of legislation were filed in the Texas Senate. 
Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) has filed House Bill 2400 to end Texas’ annual “spring forward” and “fall back” ritual, which he calls an “outdated practice”. Texas would follow Arizona, Hawaii, and several U.S. territories in eliminating daylight savings time. 
Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) has filed House Joint Resolution 89 to amend Article I of the Texas Constitution to protect the right to own, hold and use digital currencies such as bitcoin. If passed, this amendment would be submitted to Texas voters for approval in November 2017. 
SXSW kicked off this past weekend and runs through March 19th. In addition to music and interactive events, the festival is hosting talks with former Vice President Joe Biden, Mark Cuban, and FBI General Counsel James A. Baker in place of Director James Comey. Celebrities including Seth Rogen, Ryan Gosling, and Melissa McCarthy will take part in the film portion of the festival to promote upcoming productions. 
Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) has filed HCR 92, which would make the breakfast taco the official state breakfast of Texas. Texas’ official breakfast is not to be confused with the state dish, which is chili. 
Both the House and Senate have zeroed out funding for the Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI), which was created in 2015. Gov. Greg Abbott has requested $40 million for GURI, a program that aims to lure top researchers to Texas universities. On Monday, Gov. Abbott hosted a reception at the Governor’s Mansion for researchers recruited by GURI. 
After being hit by a stray bullet shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve, Rep. Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco) has filed House Bill 2583, which would make reckless celebratory gunfire a crime. 
The annual Zilker kite festival has been rescheduled for this Sunday, March 12 due to last weekend’s rainy weather. Let’s go fly a kite! 
Jeff Moseley, former president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, will succeed Bill Hammond as CEO of the Texas Association of Business. Moseley has served previously as state transportation commissioner and as a governmental affairs executive for the Texas Central high-speed rail project. 
After the La La Land snafu was resolved, Texan Trevante Rhodes took the stage with the cast of Moonlight to accept the Academy Award for best picture. Rhodes was “discovered” while jogging around the UT campus and moved to LA to pursue his acting career shortly after graduation. 
Chris Flood has been appointed by the Lt. Governor to the Texas Ethics Commission, where he joins seven other commissioners. Chris Flood is an attorney and partner at the Flood and Flood law firm in Houston, and a former Harris County Assistant District Attorney. 
The pie vending machine at Berdoll’s Pecan Candy and Gift Company in Cedar Creek makes satisfying a sweet tooth easy as, well…pie.