I'll try posting these on a daily basis. These should you if you are in 2306 and need to either figure out what to write about or gather more info for your topic.
- Ahem, the war with Mexico ended in 1848. Border security was a major issue in the legislative session, but the author wonders why given that illegal immigration has plummeted recently, and for reasons having little to do with how many people are on the border.
- Watchdog: Did your lawmaker make the Hall of Fame? At the beginning of the session the Dallas Morning News highlighted what it called "five of the most annoying consumer problems in Texas." At the end of the session they graded the legislature to see what they did and did not do to solve them. They saw positive action on 3, so they called the session a success.
- An imperfect but triumphant session for conservatives. No big surprise given Republican dominance in the state, but this helps clarify conservative goals vs. liberal goals in addition to the ways that these goals are achieved. Key ways to do so are to limit state spending and placing limits on local governments. The article also states where conservative feel short - meaning what items will likely be at the top of the agenda going into the 85th Session. These will also likely be campaign topics for statewide offices in the 2016 election.
- Lawmakers right to block local ordinance patchwork. In an opinion piece, a handful of authors defend limits the legislature placed on local autonomy as it relates to the regulation of oil production in city limits. The big story was the reversal of Denton's ban on hydraulic fracturing. The authors argue that the state's oil industry is better regulated at the state level in order to negate a "patchwork" of regulations that might limit production. Cities argue that the purpose of the regulations is to enhance the safety and health of their citizens, but that concern took a back seat.
- Dark money disclosure: dead again. In an editorial, the newspaper bemoans the fact that ethics reform - another of the governor's priorities - was watered down. Efforts to enhance the disclosure of campaign donors - bringing "dark money" out in the open - passed the House, but not the Senate. The author suggests that the governor believes "dark money disclosure" is unconstitutional.
