Politics
Open Carry For Swords, But Not At The Texas Renaissance Festival
Posted on · A state law removing most restrictions on carrying bladed weapons in public takes effect September 1.
Tag: 85th Texas Legislature
Texas
Long-Simmering GOP Disputes Boil Over As Special Session Ends
Posted on · Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick blamed House Speaker Joe Straus for the defeat of the Senate’s property tax and bathroom bills, indicating both would be issues in the 2018 elections.
Texas
The “Bathroom Bill” Debate You Haven’t Heard
Posted on · Business leaders in favor of a bill restricting transgender bathroom access? Christian conservatives in opposition? Nothing is simple when it comes to the politics of the Senate Bill 3.
Texas
Religious Groups Run Ad Blitzes Both For And Against “Bathroom Bill”
Posted on · Senate Bill 3 remains stalled in the Texas House, with the end of the special session just a week and a half away.
Texas
Property Tax Relief Nears Finish Line In Texas House
Posted on · The bill approaching the House floor meets two of Governor Abbott’s key demands: Slow the pace of property tax hikes, and require voter approval if local governments seek higher increases.
Texas
Texas House Pursues Crackdown On Mail-In Ballot Fraud
Posted on · The legislation would raise several forms of mail-in ballot fraud from misdemeanors to felonies, in order to encourage prosecution. The Senate passed its own bill earlier this week.
Texas
Senate Passes Property Tax Reform, But Bill Faces Tougher Sell In House
Posted on · Protests by local governments helped convince House leaders to KO an identical measure during the regular session. In the special session, its Governor Greg Abbott’s top priority.
Texas
Texas Senate Stages Marathon Debate Over Bathroom Bill
Posted on · Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) mounted an unsuccessful effort to derail SB 3 over its provisions on student athletics.
Texas
Senate Democrats Dig In Heels To Delay Votes On GOP Priorities
Posted on · Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick sought to push some of his top priorities for the special session to a floor vote, including property tax reform and transgender bathroom restrictions. The minority Democrats used procedural roadblocks to slow the process to a crawl.
Texas
Texas Senate Passes Sunset Bill, Abbott Proclaims Rest Of Special Session Agenda
Posted on · Governor Greg Abbott delayed proclaiming the remaining 19 items until the Senate extended the life of five state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board.
Texas
Abbott Makes Sunset Bill Top Priority For Special Session
Posted on · Legislation to extend the life of state licensing agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, fell victim to end-of-session wrangling between Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus over the bathroom bill and property tax relief. Governor Greg Abbott is determined not to let that happen again.
Texas
Patients’ Rights Bill Gets Second Chance At Life In Special Session
Posted on · Under Texas law, doctors can put a 'Do Not Resuscitate' order in a patient’s chart even without his consent. State Rep. Greg Bonnen of Friendswood hopes to change that.
Texas
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker On The “Bathroom Bill” And Her Political Future
Posted on · Parker says she’ll continue to fight for equal rights for the LGBTQ community, among other issues, and she leaves the door open to another run for office.
Education News
What Texas Lawmakers Did For Special Education And What They Missed
Posted on · "It's been probably a generation since we've had so much attention to the needs of students with disabilities in our Texas public schools."
Texas
“Jenny’s Law” Will Take Effect September 1
Posted on · The law, named for a rape victim jailed by Harris County prosecutors, guarantees crime victims the right to an attorney and an open hearing when they are subpoenaed to testify against their attackers.