Tag Archives: Texas Sunset Advisory Committee

One possible path for police reform in the Lege

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Keep an eye on this. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which oversees licensing of the state’s 102,000 police officers and jailers, could be in for a major overhaul, state officials hinted Monday morning. “This is the time to get … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged John Cyrier, marijuana, police, Texas, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

Turner wants to rethink transportation

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I like the way he’s thinking. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, in less than a month on the job, has hit the streets at full speed. First he tackled potholes. Last week he tackled a state transportation department that’s spent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Annise Parker, bicycles, buses, carpooling, Clark Martinson, construction, David Mincberg, Energy Corridor District, Harris County, HGAC, Houston, HOV lanes, I-10, I-45, light rail, Medical Center, Metro, pedestrians, SH288, sidewalks, Steve Radack, Sylvester Turner, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, Texas Transportation Commission, The Lege, traffic, TxDOT | 2 Comments

House chubfest kills several bad bills

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Some good news, though as always at the end of a session, the outcome isn’t clean and the details are very murky. As the clock struck midnight, the failure of an anti-abortion initiative — dear to the hearts of the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged abortion, adoption, Brian Birdwell, Byron Cook, campus carry, chubbing, Dan Patrick, Department of Family and Protective Services, ethics, Garnet Coleman, gay rights, Greg Abbott, health insurance, insurance exchanges, Joe Straus, Larry Taylor, Marsha Farney, Matt Schaefer, open carry, Senate, special session, Tan Parker, Terry Canales, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, Trey Martinez-Fischer | 4 Comments

Who watches the fox while he guards the henhouse?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Railroad Commission needs an ethics upgrade. The race for Texas railroad commissioner has revived — at least in the short term — debate around a series of thwarted legislative proposals to overhaul the state’s curiously named oil and gas … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged campaign finance reform, Election 2014, ethics, judicial races, Railroad Commission, Ryan Sitton, Steve Brown, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

Medicaid expansion: Still a great deal, especially for cities

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

So many uninsured people could get covered if Medicaid expansion were universal instead of just here and there. Expanding Medicaid under the new health care law would do a lot to slash the number of uninsured people, at least in … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, health insurance, jails, Medicaid, mental illness, Texas, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee | Comments Off

Wrapping up the rest of the regular session

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So as we now know, a special session on redistricting has been called, though we don’t yet know what if anything else may be added later. I covered that last night, so let’s cover what else got done at the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged abortion, budget, business margins tax, David Dewhurst, Dennis Bonnen, Greg Abbott, Railroad Commission, redistricting, Rick Perry, Rodney Ellis, Senate, special session, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | 2 Comments

We still have the Railroad Commission to kick around

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

State Impact Texas tells us that there will be no sunset bill, and thus no reforms, for the Texas Railroad Commission this session. After a lengthy review of the agency, required by state law under the Sunset review process, the Railroad … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Dennis Bonnen, Jim Keffer, Railroad Commission, Robert Nichols, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

Texas Lottery Commission dies and is reborn

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

And we have our first curveball of the legislative session. The House voted Tuesday to defeat a must-pass bill reauthorizing the Texas Lottery Commission, a stunning move that casts doubt on the lottery as a whole and may potentially cost … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged bingo, budget, Foundation School Program, Jimmie Don Aycock, Legislative Budget Board, Lon Burnam, Lottery, Permanent School Fund, Rafael Anchia, school finance, schools, Scott Sanford, special session, Sylvester Turner, Texas, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, Texas Veterans Commission, The Lege | 1 Comment

Sunsetting tax expenditures

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Sens. John Carona and Rodney Ellis have the right idea. Over the past 18 months, many of our constituents told us they have trouble finding a reliable, accurate and up-to-date source of information on these tax breaks, exemptions and special … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged Billy Hamilton, budget, constitutional amendments, Dan Patrick, John Carona, Rodney Ellis, school finance, schools, Senate, tax cuts, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, vouchers | 2 Comments

You can have a say on how the Railroad Commission conducts its business

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From Texas Sharon: STEPS TO CHANGE THE RRC. The Sunset Advisory Commission is the agency that regulates all Texas agencies.ONCE EVERY 12 YEARS, they examine the agencies and decide what needs to be changed and if the agencies should continue. This year … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged Railroad Commission, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

Time for the biennial attempt to de-fang the Travis County DA

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Same story, next chapter. The Texas Ethics Commission, long criticized for its lax enforcement of public officials, is considering a plan to take over all ethics enforcement from the Travis County district attorney’s office, which has a long history of … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged District Attorney, Texas, Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, Travis County | Comments Off

Ending the Lottery?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Seems unlikely, but that won’t stop some folks from trying. As lawmakers look at whether the Texas Lottery Commission is operating effectively, influential Baptists are suggesting that the lottery shouldn’t merely be tweaked. They want it abolished. “Ask the pertinent … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | Tagged budget, Dennis Bonnen, gambling, Garnet Coleman, Lottery, schools, scratch-off games, Suzii Paynter, Texas, Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

Senate says “good-bye” to Railroad Commission

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Something like this has been talked about for a long time, now we’ll see if it actually happens. The Senate approved a bill [Monday] that would change the name of the Railroad Commission to the Texas Oil and Gas Commission … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged David Porter, Election 2012, Election 2016, Glenn Hegar, Railroad Commission, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, Warren Chisum | Comments Off

What to do with the SBOE?

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Lege has many ideas about what to do with the state’s most embarrassing branch of government, some of which are better than others. State Rep. Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas), wants the SBOE abolished under his House Bill 881 and all … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged constitutional amendments, Diane Patrick, Donna Howard, Fred Brown, Jose Menendez, Permanent School Fund, Robert Alonzo, SBOE, State Board for Educator Certification, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | 1 Comment

RRC Commish Williams to leave his post

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, a ten-year incumbent who has nonetheless managed to claim the mantel of “outsider/insurgent” in the race for the 2012 GOP Senate nomination, will reportedly resign his post so as to actually be an outsider of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged Election 2012, Elizabeth Ames Jones, fundraising, Michael Williams, Railroad Commission, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | 1 Comment

Worker’s Comp goes before the Sunset Commission

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The worker’s comp battle has moved to the Sunset Advisory Committee, with testimony being given about how the Division of Workers’ Compensation does its business. Elise Hu continues her reporting on the war of words between several former employees of … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged Rod Bordelon, Texas, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, worker's compensation | Comments Off

The Worker’s Comp Commissioner fires back

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

How can you tell when whistleblowers are having an effect? When the entitiy they blew the whistle on attacks them. As the Division of Workers’ Compensation heads into a public hearing at the Sunset Advisory Commission next week, Commissioner Rod … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged Rod Bordelon, Texas, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, worker's compensation | Comments Off

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Alliance for a Clean Texas has a suggestion: Texans expect our environmental agency to protect our health. TCEQ too often falls short of these expectations due to lax enforcement of existing clean air and water laws. The sunset review … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged activism, Alliance for a Clean Texas, Earth Day, TCEQ, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee | Comments Off

Special session for July 1

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We knew it was coming, and here it is. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, by the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 8, of the Texas Constitution, do hereby call an extraordinary … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged CHIP, Rick Perry, Senate, special session, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | 2 Comments

Special session coming

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. Speaking to reporters this afternoon at a roundtable on national energy legislation, Gov. Rick Perry said there will definitely be a special legislative session. But he declined to say when, or how many issues it will include. “We’re in … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Lon Burnam, Rick Perry, special session, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT, voter ID | 2 Comments

One threat of a special session averted, another arises

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Gah. In a surprise ending to the second-to-last day of the legislative session, the House failed to pass the so-called sunset safety net bill, HB1959, before the midnight deadline tonight for the chamber to approve bills. The bill would allow … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged CHIP, David Dewhurst, David Leibowitz, Joe Straus, Rick Perry, Senate, special session, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | 1 Comment

Red light camera ban appears dead

Posted on May 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So says the Star-Telegram, which has been the go-to source for these stories. A final version of legislation restructuring the Texas Department of Transportation is not expected to include a ban on red-light cameras or a local option provision allowing … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged filibuster, Gary Elkins, Glenn Hegar, John Carona, red light cameras, Rick Perry, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT, veto | Comments Off

Houston extends red light camera contract

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll have red light cameras to kick around for at least a few more years. The City Council extended the contract of the company that administers its red-light camera program for three more years Wednesday, aiming to thwart legislation pending … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Arlington, Bill White, Burleson, Fort Worth, Gary Elkins, Houston, Houston City Council, Jolanda Jones, Mike Sullivan, North Richland Hills, red light cameras, Senate, Southlake, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | Comments Off

Senate passes TxDOT sunset bill, red light cameras not dead yet

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate approved its version of HB300, the TxDOT sunset bill, and as expected it has some major differences from the House version. Plans to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation projects in North Texas progressed Monday night … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged commuter rail, gas tax, red light cameras, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, toll roads, TTC, TxDOT | Comments Off

Skinning a cat: Alternate methods

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, the TxDOT sunset bill HB300 included among its many House amendments a couple that were aimed at killing off red light cameras in Texas’ cities, by putting them under the authority of DPS and by forbidding the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged accidents, Arlington, Carl Isett, Fort Worth, Gary Elkins, Houston, North Richland Hills, red light cameras, Senate, Solomon Ortiz, Southlake, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | 1 Comment

The Senate TxDOT sunset bill is not the House TxDOT sunset bill

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, the massive House sunset bill for TxDOT, HB300, contained a boatload of amendments that greatly altered the original bill, including one that would make TxDOT a 15-member elected commission and one that would have outlawed red light … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Carl Isett, Glenn Hegar, red light cameras, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, Texas Transportation Commission, The Lege, toll roads, TTC, TxDOT | Comments Off

Auditor’s report on TYC

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Grits has a link to the State Auditor’s followup report on the Texas Youth Commission, which you can download here (PDF). In short: They’ve made progress, but they’ve still got some things to work out. Which may or may not … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Texas, Texas State Auditor, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TYC | Comments Off

More on the House attempt to kill red light cameras

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Grits notes with some pleasure a couple of amendments in HB300, the massive TxDOT sunset bill that passed yesterday, which would limit and ultimately end cities’ use of red light cameras. While I’ve never understood the fear and loathing these … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Carl Isett, Gary Elkins, Houston, Medicaid, red light cameras, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | 1 Comment

More on the House attempt to kill red light cameras

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Carl Isett, Gary Elkins, Houston, Medicaid, red light cameras, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | Comments Off

Sunsetting TxDOT

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday was Day One of the debate over HB300, the TxDOT sunset bill. The Lege is on Day Two now, and if you look at all the amendments they’ve gone through, you can see why this is taking so long. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, That's our Lege | Tagged David Leibowitz, Gary Elkins, Houston, red light cameras, Ruth Jones McClendon, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TxDOT | Comments Off

TRCC survives sunsetting

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s Blogabear‘s view of HB2295, the bill to sunset the Texas Residential Construction Commission, aka the TRCC. And here’s John Coby‘s view of it. I sure hope the former is closer to the truth, because it passed, though with some … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Allan Ritter, Ruth Jones McClendon, Texas, Texas Residential Construction Commission, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, Twitter | Comments Off

No sunset for SBOE

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, that‘s too bad. Just yesterday the Texas House approved on second reading House Bill 710, which would have made the Texas State Board of Education subject to periodic review by the Sunset Advisory Commission. That vote was 74-68. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People, That's our Lege | Tagged Cynthia Dunbar, Election 2010, SBOE, Texas, Texas Parent PAC, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

IG for DPS

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I just have one question regarding this story. Top lawmakers voiced support for creating an inspector general at the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, a day after the sudden resignation of the agency’s director amid allegations of unprofessional … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged DPS, Senate, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege | Comments Off

The TRCC should be sunsetted

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

What EoW says. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s ludicrous to think that a rational profit-maximizing actor such as Bob Perry would spend as much as he does on political access without expecting to get some … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Allan Ritter, Bob Perry, campaign finances, Texas, Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, The Lege, TRCC | Comments Off

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