Coronavirus
Harris County can now impose mask mandates, a state appeals court rules
Posted on · Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to appeal the decision to the Texas Supreme Court.
Tag: Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Politics
A federal judge has blocked Texas’ new social media censorship law for now
Posted on · House Bill 20, which was set to take effect Dec. 2, would have let Texas users banned by social media platforms sue for reinstatement or have the state attorney general sue on their behalf.
Health & Science
Gov. Greg Abbott addresses need for more doctors in Houston at new UH College of Medicine
Posted on · Tilman Fertitta, chairman of the UH System Board of Regents, also endorsed Abbott for reelection shortly before Abbott began to speak.
Politics
Gov. Abbott’s ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates will likely face legislative and legal challenges
Posted on · It’s far from clear whether House Speaker Dade Phelan will force through a bill that would ban businesses from requiring their employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott wants stiffer penalties on illegal voting. He has opposition within his own party
Posted on · Abbott added increased penalties for illegal voting to the third special legislative session, but GOP House Speaker Dade Phelan said he won’t act on it.
Politics
Funding For Texas Legislative Staffers Is Set To Expire Oct. 1. How Far Will Gov. Abbott’s Veto Go?
Posted on · Governor Greg Abbott and other state leaders have engineered a temporary fix, but Abbott’s veto of the Legislature’s budget may have permanent ramifications for the balance of power in Texas politics.
Immigration
Biden Administration Sues Texas Over Gov. Greg Abbott’s Latest Immigration Order
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott this week issued an order restricting ground transportation of migrants who could have COVID-19, a move Attorney General Merrick Garland said violates federal law.
Politics
Despite Republican Challengers, Experts Say Governor’s Race Is Greg Abbott’s To Lose
Posted on · Former State Senator Don Huffines and former state GOP chairman Allen West are both seeking to outflank incumbent Greg Abbott on the right, but they could end up canceling each other out.
Politics
Texas House, Senate Committees Advance Bill Making It Harder To Bond Out Of Jail Pretrial
Posted on · House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 6 would bar a defendant from being released on a personal recognizance bond if charged with committing a violent or sexual crime, or if charged with committing a crime while already out on bond.
Politics
Texas House Committee Advances Bill To Restore Legislative Funding
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed funding for the Legislature to punish Democratic lawmakers for walking out during the regular session and killing two of the governor's top-priority bills.
Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott’s State Legislature Budget Veto Is Unconstitutional, Democratic Lawmakers Say
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott’s move will primarily affect the more than 2,100 full-time employees at the Texas Capitol -- not the lawmakers he intended to punish.
Education News
Houston-Area Schools To Benefit From Governor’s Release Of COVID-19 Funds
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan announced the release of $11.2 billion in federal aid to Texas schools.
Politics
Texas Congressional Democrats Seek To Block Governor’s Grab Of COVID-19 Education Funds
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a waiver that would let him reroute nearly $18 billion in federal COVID aid from public schools to other areas of the budget.
Criminal Justice
Texas Republican Lawmakers Take Aim At Local Bail Practices This Legislative Session
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott is banking on a version of reform that makes it harder for people accused of violent crimes to bond out, while ignoring Harris County-style efforts to ease the burden on indigent defendants.
Coronavirus
Galveston County Refuses To Enforce Gov. Abbott’s COVID-19 Restrictions Amid Surge
Posted on · The move comes as Governor Greg Abbott has reimposed business restrictions in nine southeast Texas counties.