Dispute lingers over controversial bill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Lawmakers pulled an all-nighter this week as the Senate heard dozens of people speak out about the Voter I.D. Bill. The raging debate lasted 23 hours including expert testimony and public outcry as the Senate as a whole engaged in a volatile vote on Voter ID. Lawmakers say that they are trying to find the right balance between public safety and what some say is an intrusion of civil liberties. The bill is moving on with Republicans winning the first round of a fight that is far from over.

The Senate worked to pass a bill to save state schools just moments before a stunning cell phone video was released revealing state school employees staging "fight club" style fights between patients. The incident occurred in Corpus Christi.

After Governor Perry turned down $550 million to help unemployed Texans, many were outraged calling out his actions as fulfilling a political agenda. Governor Perry’s colleagues in the Capitol have already planned to challenge the choice which will prevent the expansion of unemployment insurance programs in Texas.

The hot topics were dominant this week for Texas lawmakers, not to exclude the controversial raid of the Yearning for Zion Ranch which is now being dealt with in a subcommittee. Next week at the Capitol is sure to be filled with many more hot topics.