Hot List Day 88

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Day 88 of the 82nd Texas Legislature

LINE OF THE DAY
“I’m concerned about limiting freedom and making people criminals for reading an electronic message.”
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, on his opposition to the texting-while-driving ban passed in the House yesterday

OBSERVED
Was a key tax break analysis kept from lawmakers? While lawmakers grapple with an unprecedented budget shortfall, almost no one had seen a nine-page report from the Legislative Budget Board that details a $1.2 billion tax break for high cost natural gas producers.

OBSERVED
The House Energy Resources committee is considering a bill that would give cities the power to decide where natural gas pipelines go within their cities’ limits. Under current law, cities are helpless against the powers of the natural gas companies. But maybe not for long. 

BEST OF THE REST
An 18-page list of ideas to generate new revenue was leaked yesterday as senators are grappling with ways to add more money to the state budget. The Austin American Statesman’s Jason Embry lays out some of the key moneymakers off the list, including closing a state supported living center in Austin. 

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
A bill to allow those with concealed handgun licenses to carry their guns on university and community college campuses stalled in the Senate yesterday, but bill author Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, plans to bring it back up on Monday. Wentworth’s bill hit a snag when two Democratic senators withdrew their support. 


is an Observer reporter (and former intern) covering women's health, reproductive health and health care access across the Lone Star State. Before joining the Observer, she was a staff news writer at the San Antonio Current. She holds an MA in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and BA in journalism and Spanish from UT-Arlington, where she worked for three years on her college newspaper. After graduate school, she dipped her toe in public policy communications at the Center for Public Policy Priorities. When she's not at work, she's probably training for her next marathon. You can contact her at [email protected].

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