U.S. Supreme Court justices rejected a request by abortion providers to intervene in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of new abortion regulations in Texas that took effect in November. New admitting privileges requirements for abortion facilities can remain in place while the constitutionality of the law is litigated. Oral arguments before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals are scheduled for January.
Texas' senior U.S. senator, John Cornyn, kicked off his re-election campaign at Scholz Garten, touting a strong endorsement from Gov. Rick Perry and presenting a strong message: Republicans must show they are "responsible adults."
A push to keep Texas' high-risk insurance pool got a boost from a bipartisan group of lawmakers — GOP lite guv David Dewhurst and Democratic state Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin. The calls are spurred by concerns that problems with implementation of the federal health insurance exchange could threaten the ability of Texans with pre-existing medical conditions to maintain continuous coverage.
The State Board of Education debated implementation of new high school graduation requirements the Legislature passed in May. At issue is whether the SBOE will choose to continue to require algebra II for every degree — a requirement the Legislature expressly dropped from existing law. Highlighting the importance of what's at stake, the chairmen of the education committees in the Capitol — Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen — dropped by to explain their legislative intent.
After a contentious meeting, the Lower Colorado River Authority approved a drought management plan that will almost surely cut off irrigation water for coastal rice farmers for the third year in a row.
The UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas scheduled and then canceled a mock immigration sting on the university campus after criticism poured in from all quarters, including the Greg Abbott gubernatorial campaign. Press reports identified YCT chapter chairman Lorenzo Garcia as a former paid field rep for the campaign.