Free Republic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvvJySmQufU

HOUSTON—The controversial shooting of a teenager in Florida has a Texas lawmaker demanding changes to the Texas version of the "stand your ground" law. State Representative Garnet Coleman feels the state’s Castle Doctrine allows potential victims too much latitude to shoot first and ask questions later. He plans to introduce legislation to amend it. But some legal experts and supporters of the current law don’t believe the proposed changes stand much chance of passing in Austin. In 2007, the Legislature eliminated the "duty to retreat before using deadly force" portion of the law. Coleman, citing the Trayvon Martin case in...

AUSTIN — Rural landowners carrying protest signs and shouting angry slogans gathered at the Capitol to speak their minds. Their goal: Stopping Gov. Rick Perry’s Trans-Texas Corridor. Farmers and ranchers say the huge highway project will gobble thousands of acres of their property only to make money for private toll road companies. “The government is out of control. They’re trying to take our property rights away from us,” said Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, one of the legislators who spoke at the May 3 rally. Republican Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn —one of Perry’s potential GOP primary opponents in 2006 — joined...

Leap year brings tuition hikes, waiting period for abortion By JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN New college tuition rates and a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions represent significant changes in Texas policy in 2004. After months of planning, the new laws take effect Jan. 1, rather than September, like most Texas laws. Other changes include a ban on driving on dry riverbeds and how insurers score credit ratings. The Republican-led Legislature loosened its grip on tuition-setting power to allow universities to set their own rates to offset $558 million in state cuts to higher education. Supporters appreciated...

Redistricting one step closer BY APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - The family feud appears over and Texas Republicans are a step closer to having a majority in the state's congressional delegation. "The majority of the voters in the state of Texas support President George W. Bush and his policies. The majority of our congressional delegation does not, and that's just not fair," Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Thursday as Republican leaders unveiled a redistricting map that would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation. It likely would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation, where Democrats...

Democrats are lining up for hot seat Thursday, September 18, 2003 One might question why anyone wants to be the chair of the Texas Democratic Party In The Time Of George Bush. But several folks apparently do. Molly Beth Malcolm announced Tuesday she'll resign Oct. 25. On that day, the State Democratic Executive Committee will choose a replacement to serve until the party's 2004 convention. Malcolm has held the office for 5 1/2 years. Given the Democrats' miserable fortunes recently, some observers would compare the chairmanship to being captain of the Titanic. With the Democrats completely out of power, it's...