Episode 212: The Bills Of Our Lives
The session is winding down. What bills stand a chance of passing, and what legislation is dying on the vine? We cover the soap opera that is the 2007 session. (airing week of April 29th)
Panelists:
- Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News
- Harvey Kronberg, The Quorum Report
- W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman
Karen Brooks covers the House of Representatives as a capitol bureau staff writer for the Dallas Morning News in Austin. This is her fifth session to cover. She has been a reporter in Texas for 12 years, working for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Most recently, she spent almost three years covering Northern Mexico and the border for the Fort Worth paper. Ms. Brooks went to journalism school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She grew up in Greenville, Mississippi.
Harvey Kronberg is the editor of the Quorum Report, the newsletter of political Texas since 1989. Quorum Report is a non-partisan online publication covering state politics and government from an insider's perspective. The site can be found at www.quorumreport.com. Harvey is also a political analyst for News 8 Austin. In February 2005, Texas Monthly declared him one of the 25 most powerful individuals in Texas politics. Harvey is a graduate of the University of Texas with an honors degree in Plan II and History.
W. Gardner Selby has covered Texas politics and government for The Beaumont Enterprise, the Dallas Times Herald, The Houston Post, the San Antonio Express-News and the Austin American-Statesman, where he is currently the paper's chief political writer.
Research Links:
Toll Roads and Transportation:
- “Big toll road bill has lawmakers nervous,” by Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman, April 23, 2007.
- “Don't want to pay your tolls? Fine.,” by Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman, April 2, 2007.
- “Senate approves freeze on private toll-road deals,” by Jake Batsell, Dallas Morning News, April 20, 2007.
- “Senate approves moratorium on private toll roads,” by Liz Austin Peterson, The Associated Press via Austin American-Statesman, April 19, 2007.
Voter ID:
- “House OKs voter ID bill,” by Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News, April 23, 2007.
- “House Republicans squeak through voter ID mandate,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, April 24, 2007.
- “House gives final approval to voter ID bill,” by Kelley Shannon, Associated Press via Austin American-Statesman, April 24, 2007.
- “‘Jose Crow’ law or improved identification at polls,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, April 23, 2007.
The Budget: Frew, Medicaid, CHIP, and Teacher Pay:
- “Residents clash over illegal immigrant plan,” by Stephanie Sandoval, Dallas Morning News, August 22, 2006.
- “Senate OKs Medicaid changes,” by Corrie MacLaggan, Austin American-Statesman, April 18, 2007.
- “Medicaid reform, health incentives pass in Senate,” by Robert T. Garrett, Dallas Morning News, April 18, 2007.
- “Mr. Whitmire welcomes Mr. Patrick to the Texas Senate,” Pinkdome.com via YouTube.com, April 14, 2007.
- “1,132 schools qualify for merit pay,” by Terrence Stutz, Dallas Morning News, April 14, 2007.
- “Terms of Medicaid deal are revealed,” by Jason Embry, Austin-American Statesman, April 10, 2007.
- “House votes to expand CHIP,” by Robert T. Garrett, Dallas Morning News, April 4, 2007.
- “Loss of incentive would cost some teachers thousands,” by Jason Embry, Austin American-Statesman, March 31, 2007.
- “Teacher incentive pay a setback in budget debate,” by Jason Embry, Austin American-Statesman, March 30, 2007.
Marriage Bill and Religion in Schools:
- “Lawmakers plan to put more religion in your life,” by Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News, April 22, 2007.
- “Governor supports bill to allow religious expression in school,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, April 11, 2007.
