Public policy often sounds better in theory than it plays out in reality. The Affordable Care Act, The Patriot Act, The Women’s Reproductive Health Care Act have all been criticized for arguably not living up to their names. The same will be said of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), should it pass the many hurdles ahead.

It doesn’t take a great deal of sophistication, expertise, or vision to destroy somebody else’s work. Like a sledgehammer on demolition day, it doesn’t take much to damage the reputation of a company, group, or public figure. Often a false accusation will do the job, especially in this social-media age.

The state's new schools chief is calling on lawmakers to repeal a law that prohibits any courses on AIDS and HIV from portraying homosexuality "as a positive alternative lifestyle.''

Women seeking to terminate a pregnancy are now going to be confronted by some new questions about their decision.

It seems a bit out of Alice in Wonderland. But if you support the goals of those who put Proposition 305 on the ballot -- opposition to expansion of vouchers -- you have to vote "no'' in November.

Women who want to terminate a pregnancy are going to be asked some questions first.

On a largely party-line vote the state Senate voted 17-13 Wednesday to approve a list of questions about the reasons for deciding to terminate a pregnancy.

SB1394 would require doctors to run down a checklist of possible reasons the woman wants an abortion, including economic issues, rape, incest, relationship issues and even that a woman doesn’t want children at this time.

On a party-line vote, members of the Health and Human Services Committee approved adding a series of new requirements on abortion providers and those who already are required to inform women about the nature of the procedure.

Cathi Herrod, who earned her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, has her share of critics. But to supporters, she is a smart strategist, an effective articulator of the center’s agenda and a fearless apologist of the conservative right.