Tag Archives: John Whitmire
WTF Sine Die: #TxLege History Edition
While it pales in comparison to previous sessions, the 84th Texas Legislature proved that our state government still likes to entertain some dysfunction....Read More
Truancy Reform Legislation Headed to the Governor
Truancy reform legislation, which would decriminalize Texas’ punitive system for handling students who miss school, has made it to the governor's desk....Read More
Senate Passes Open Carry After Intense Debate About Police Checks
The Senate approved open carry of handguns Friday night, with a controversial provision that would prevent police stops solely to ask for a license. Critics say...Read More
Truancy Decriminalization Bill Could Squeak Through Legislature
After a long stand-off between the House and Senate, a last-minute compromise may save the prospects of truancy reform, which has gained broad bipartisan suppor...Read More
Too Young to Jail
Texas has come a long way in juvenile justice reform. But this year, the question of whether to raise the age of "criminal responsibility" has split some lawmak...Read More
Senate Debates Ethics, Picks Apart Major Part of Gov. Abbott’s Agenda
Much to state Sen. Van Taylor's dismay, his ethics bill that passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday is a shell of its former self after being heavily amended....Read More
Senate Moves to Decriminalize School Truancy
Under his legislation, Whitmire said school administrators and judges would have all the same tools they have now to try to ensure kids are not skipping school....Read More
House Hears Broad Support for Bringing 17-Year-Olds into Juvenile System
Advocates, House members and some county officials support shifting 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system, but the plan's path through the Senate is uncle...Read More
Juvenile Justice Reform Unlikely to Extend to 17-Year-Olds This Session
A coalition of advocates, judges and sheriffs have called for treating 17-year-olds as juveniles in the criminal justice system, but a key senator remains skept...Read More