Houston Matters
Sixty days in, the real sprint begins for Texas lawmakers in Austin
Posted on · Lawmakers now have roughly two-and-a-half months to pass new bills.
Tag: Joan Huffman
Texas
Texas bill requiring 10-year prison sentences for gun felonies faces opposition from criminal justice and firearm advocates
Posted on · Under Senate Bill 23, authored by Houston Republican Joan Huffman, all felonies involving a gun would incur a mandatory 10-year prison sentence. It’s meant to curb crime, despite the lack of correlation between harsher sentences and crime rates.
Politics
Texas lawmakers pass controversial new map for the U.S. House of Representatives
Posted on · While Democrats hold firm in their accusations of racial gerrymandering, Republicans passed a map reallocating Texas’ seats in the U.S. House. A court challenge is likely ahead.
Politics
Houston and Austin could gain Texas’ 2 new congressional seats — but what about rural districts?
Posted on · A first draft of the new congressional redistricting maps has been released, showing two new seats in metropolitan areas due to growing populations.
Criminal Justice
Texas Senate Approves Bail Bill That Would Keep More People In Jail If They Can’t Post Cash Bonds
Posted on · Senate Bill 21 would require cash bail for people who have ever been convicted of a violent crime.
News
Texas Lawmakers Gave More Flood Risk Disclosure Protection To Home Buyers, But Not Renters
Posted on · Landlords are not required to let prospective tenants know if the property has previously flooded.
Local
Houston Firefighter’s Retirement Fund Opposes Latest Version Of Mayor Turner’s Pension Plan
Posted on · After no consensus on adjustments proposed by the firefighters, they would get bigger benefit cuts than they agreed to last fall.
Texas
Senate Republicans Zero In On Religious Freedom Bills
Posted on · The next Texas legislative session is almost a year away, but Senate Republicans are already zeroing in on proposals to bolster legal protections for religious opponents of same-sex marriage.