A 234-page bill passed on the last day of the Texas legislative session contained a major omission. The author of the sweeping transportation code bill, Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, asked the attorney general’s office to weigh in on whether the failure to include a fine for driving a vehicle without license plates will be a major problem for law enforcement when the law takes effect on Jan. 1.  Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office has six months to issue an opinion on the matter; meanwhile, police officers will have to interpret the new law themselves.

Work on the Formula One track under construction southeast of Austin came to a sudden halt Tuesday as the group of investors financing the project pulled the plug. The group has been unable to come to terms with the promoter of the project, Tavo Hellmund, to secure the rights to the race. The first race was to be held in November of next year, and the state of Texas had openly committed $25 million a year in incentives from the Major Events Trust Fund. But Comptroller Susan Combs announced that the state wouldn’t be willing to make the first payment until after the first race. The timing for resuming construction could be tricky if Austin wants to be on the 2012 F1 calendar.

El Paso Electric is hoping that the Public Utility Commission will approve its request for a rate increase, especially since the El Paso City Council is asking that the company’s rates be cut. The council voted not to lower the rates temporarily and by doing so set a date for rates to be negotiated. Whether the commission decides to raise or lower the power company’s rates, customers will pay additional fees or receive a refund based on this week’s vote. City Council members have said El Paso Electric’s rates and profits are excessive.

As water supplies dwindle across the state, one community has found itself on the verge of losing its supply entirely. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality predicts that the town of Groesbeck, about 90 miles south of Dallas, only has about a 27-day supply left in its reservoir. Over the summer, the town was forced to pump water from Fort Parker Lake after its level dropped below the spillway. Now, officials concede they’re not even going to be able to do that soon without some serious rain. The city of 4,300 is one on a list of seven that the TCEQ has deemed dangerously close to running out of water.

The wildfire season that began a year ago is not over. Conditions remain ripe for new fires as the drought across Texas lingers and vegetation that has dried or died acts as an easy fuel source for fires. In the past year, wildfires have claimed nearly 4 million acres and more than 2,900 homes, as well as 10 lives. The Texas Forest Service is struggling to call an end to wildfire season as it is still receiving daily fire calls, but the agency hopes that slow grass growth this year bodes well for next year and beyond.

Although the statute of limitations prevents family law judge William Adams from being prosecuted, the widely circulated video showing him beating his daughter has resulted in a temporary restraining order. Another county court at law judge issued the order, which includes the stipulations that he cannot belittle his ex-wife or drink alcohol within 24 hours of seeing his daughter. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21 to determine whether Adams’ visitation will be denied or supervision will be required.

School districts still reeling from state budget cuts enacted this legislative session found themselves on the losing end again in the Nov. 8 elections. Voters turned down proposals in the Hutto and Dripping Springs school districts that would have increased property tax rates in an attempt to make up for funding losses. The two districts had already trimmed millions from their budgets but now see more cuts looming.

Victims and family members of the Fort Hood shooting in 2009 have filed administrative claims against the government alleging that federal agencies ignored warning signs that Maj. Nidal Hasan, the accused shooter, posed a threat to his co-workers. The claim asks for $750 million in damages and was filed against the FBI and departments of the Army, Defense and Justice. Hasan’s criminal trial is scheduled for March, and lawyers speculate that the claims, which also implicate Hasan’s superiors, could help his case.

New Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp is already putting his stamp on system operations. Sharp has hired a consulting firm to review A&M’s business operations and make recommendations to increase efficiency. Sharp reassigned the current vice chancellor for governmental operations, Stanton Calvert, to be vice chancellor emeritus and appointed Guy Diedrich to take over as vice chancellor for federal and state relations. Frank Ashley, who currently holds the title of vice chancellor of academic affairs, will be known as the vice chancellor of recruitment and diversity.