HEALTH

Perry still undecided on vetoing HPV bill

Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday he hasn't decided whether to veto the HPV bill that's on his desk now.

The bill would basically block his executive order. His mandate says that schoolgirls should be required to get shots to protect against HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. The bill says that the vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus can't be a requirement for school entry until at least 2011.

"Here's what's important: We have created a national debate on this," Perry said.

VOTING

Identification bill may get hearing

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst indicated he may bring up a controversial voter identification bill in the Senate as soon as today. He said he intends to get the bill passed at the first opportunity that the necessary votes are there.

The measure would require voters to present identification at the polls in addition to the voter registration card now required. The House has already passed the bill.

SENATE

Senator might resign

A Houston senator said Wednesday he might resign his seat after this summer to devote time to his family, including his sons ages 8, 6 and 2.

Sen. Kyle Janek, a Republican whose legislative career began in the House in 1995, said he and his wife, Shannon, are house hunting in Austin, where he's previously had second homes off and on since 1991.

Disputing a rumor, Janek said he is not resigning at the end of the session on May 28 to become a lobbyist. "I love my job," he said.

HEALTH CARE

Measure to require reports on infections

The House passed a measure Wednesday that would require Texas health care facilities to report data on patients who acquire infections while under their care.

Senate Bill 288, written by Sen. Jane Nelson, R- Lewisville, would require health care facilities to submit data quarterly to the Department of State Health Services. Based on that information, the department would compile annual reports detailing infection rates.

BORDER

Fence foes hit Capitol

Legislators and local leaders from Texas' border region worked the Capitol on Wednesday to generate opposition to President Bush's planned border fence, saying it's unnecessary and would hurt economic ties with Mexico.

The Texas Border Coalition, consisting of border mayors, county judges and economic development commissions, met with Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Wednesday and aides to Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. They said both leaders offered support for their opposition to the fence.

TRANSPORTATION

Seat-belt bill back on

Sen. Florence Shapiro said last week she saw no reason to hear a proposal requiring three-point seat belts on school buses .

Shapiro changed course this week, however, and the Senate Education Committee that she chairs will take testimony on Sen. Eddie Lucio's version of the proposal today.

Shapiro, R-Plano, said she reconsidered after the House approved its version.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Groups fight change in admission law

The Texas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and other groups urged state lawmakers to oppose a proposal to modify the state's top 10 percent college-admission law. The measure is expected to be debated on the Senate floor today.

"Now's not the time to retreat from a successful program that has increased minority diversity," Luis Figueroa, legislative staff attorney for MALDEF, said Wednesday. The 1997 law grants students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class in Texas the right to attend any public university in the state. Senate Bill 101, authored by Sen. Florence Shapiro, would allow a university to limit the top 10 percent of students to 60 percent of its freshmen from Texas.

THE ALAMO

$60 million worth of renovations sought

Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio, and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas unveiled a master plan to renovate the Alamo on Wednesday.

Van de Putte, whose District 26 includes the state's top tourist attraction, was joined by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, on the south steps of the Capitol.

Proposed renovations to the Alamo include new buildings for educational programs, which will house a 250-seat auditorium and a television studio facility, and a new location for an expanded library.

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is looking to raise about $60 million in the next three to five years to complete the project.

Compiled from staff and wire reports