The Texas House of Representatives voted 118-16 for a bill amendment that would suspend the $0.20 per gallon gas tax for three months. This would cost the state $500 million to $700 million, which would come funds earmarked for transportation and public education. The amendment has not yet passed in the Senate. As far as taxes go, the gas tax sucks less than most. People generally have some level of control over how much......

Governor Rick Perry's much-harangued executive order of mandatory HPV vaccines for Texas schoolgirls has drawn the ire of Attorney General Greg Abbott, who yesterday declared that the order was merely "advisory" in nature, and devoid of legal substance. The Texas House is expected to vote on a bill today that would effectively hinder government officials from enforcing the vaccine requirement. More: Mandatory HPV Vaccination Under Attack in the Texas Legislature on Tuesday Photo by xandert......

The Texas House has just passed a bill outlawing "overtly sexually suggestive" cheerleading. Highschool cheerleaders will now be limited to jazz hands, standing on tip-toes, and smiling. Edwards argued bawdy performances are a distraction for students resulting in pregnancies, dropouts and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 1. Does there really need to be a law saying this? Do you know how much money it costs to pass a law? 2. Isn't Texas supposed to......

The Texas House voted 83-63 yesterday to approve a bill that would require voters to show up to three forms of identification before being allowed to vote. In addition to the standard voter registration card, a person would need a photo ID card or two other documents without a photo. Currently, only five states require photo identification in order to vote. Some members of the House (cough*Republicans*cough) are behind the bill, claiming that it would......

The Texas House and Senate may be arguing over the best way to offset revenue shortfalls due to property tax relief, but they do agree on one thing: Boozers and Smokers need to pay higher taxes! HB 3 attempts to generate more money for public education while reducing property tax by $6 Billion over the next two years. To gather the extra cash both legislative bodies agree we need to increase taxes on cigarettes (from......

While we're on the subject of gay marriage and pop idols this week, international diva Elton "That's Sir to You" John was in town yesterday showing his support for Andy Roddick's Foundation to harvest black market organs save the children. This came only a day after announcing plans to wed longtime partner David Furnish, which we're guessing won't take place anywhere near here. The Texas House of Representatives electing to ban gay marriage on the......