• DSK, IMF chief, resigns over sex assault charge
• Alleged Bin Laden audio message posted
• Catholic Church reports on sex abuse study

With less than two weeks left in the Legislative session, the decennial slice-and-dice fest known as redistricting grinds on. Yesterday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 31, a map that could result in Republicans gaining at least one seat in the state Senate next election. Among the changes: Travis County will be split into 4 Texas Senate districts instead of the current two. more ›

With just over three weeks left in the 82nd Legislative Session, the Texas Senate on Wednesday passed out its version of the state budget--House Bill 1 ("HB1"), the appropriations legislation that will fund Texas for 2012-13. The House passed the initial draft on April 3, but as of Tuesday, Senate Finance Committee Chair Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) was still short the two-thirds majority that was needed to bring the senate version of the budget to the floor. No longer. more ›

On Wednesday, Sen. Kirk Watson (Austin) – former Mayor of Austin – helped the Texas Senate pass Senate Bill 1688, which seeks to increase the powers given to the City of Austin with regard to development along the State Highway 130 toll road, east of Austin. Here’s part of the official Bill Analysis for this piece of legislation: “This bill addresses a new challenge facing the City of Austin – the creation of a... more ›

Senator Dan Patrick (Houston) – evidently the resident jackass of the Texas Senate, judging by his recent antics – has done it again. A few days ago, Patrick invited mockery and ire from his fellow Senators by suggesting that he can cut the Texas state budget by over $3 billion, something that no other organization or public figure has been able to do as of yet without also proposing to cut many important social... more ›

Hall of Famer and Lady Longhorns coach Judy Conradt resigned earlier this week after 31 seasons at UT. MTV is in town this week filming for a special on alternative spring breaks. The Austin crew will be focusing on the "Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break" activities going on at UT. State Rep. Garnet Coleman has put forth a bill in the Lege that would supply free condoms to Texas inmates. Warning to City of... more ›

The Grand Old Party nearly swept the statewide race yesterday, led by Governor Rick Perry, who after beating Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn may very well become the longest-serving Governor in Texas. In a press conference this morning, Perry was vague when addressing rumors of a possible vice presidential bid, merely saying it was "up to the good Lord." Bell, who posted yesterday in his blog... more ›

Now its going to be just as expensive to kill yourself as it is to see a doctor. The proposed tax on cigarettes was approved by the Texas Senate yesterday in an effort to give teachers a long-overdue raise. The Duke Lacrosse rape investigation has led to a massive increase in past rape victims seeking counseling. A Senate committee has recommended that FEMA be abolished, saying it is "beyond repair." Others recommend an entirely... more ›

Remember just a couple of weeks ago, when Austinist told you about HB 1515, a bill that would require the consent of parents for abortions performed on women under 18? more ›

Only days after beloved wife, daughter, and political pawn Terry Schiavo passed away, George W. Bush and Tom Delay's Culture of Life vision for America was dealt another blow when the Texas Senate rejected a bill that would allowed juries to sentence criminals to life without parole. Under current laws juries can either sentence those found guilty in capital murder cases to death by lethal injection or life with the possibility of parole. Supporters of... more ›