Posted on · It’s unclear what the Legislature will be able to accomplish with just two weeks left on the 30-day clock. Key legislative deadlines are coming. Member relationships are frayed. Some Democrats warn the quorum could be broken again.
Posted on · Legislative staffers could lose their paychecks beginning September 1, but insiders say if Abbott does follow through with his threat, the decision would almost certainly be reversed before going into effect.
Posted on · Patrick made the call on Twitter, hours after bills related to social media content policies, lobbying by cities and mandating which school sports teams that transgender athletes can play on.
Posted on · The Democrats delayed and deflected as they tried to run out the clock on bills they oppose. Republicans strategized to push through bills they’d worked on all session.
Posted on · Many GOP lawmakers at a recent House Committee hearing openly stated they were unfamiliar with the nuances of trans health care.
Posted on · The House elections committee gutted the Senate’s priority voting bill and replaced it with language from the House’s preferred legislation, signaling a divide over which new restrictions will make it to the governor’s desk.
Posted on · House members filed nearly 240 proposed tweaks to the massive spending plan and spent hours taking votes on controversial issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to school vouchers.
Posted on · The ACLU, the Anti-Defamation League and others slammed the bills, which they say are unjust and make it harder to vote. Harris County leaders, meanwhile, say their reforms are the target.
Posted on · "I plan to meet with law enforcement who oppose permitless carry and with the [National Rifle Association] and [Gun Owners of America] who support it to see if we can find a path that a majority of senators will vote to pass,” Patrick said.
Posted on · House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Texans under current state law must generally be licensed to carry handguns, either openly or concealed.
Posted on · The budget does not factor in over $35 billion in federal aid. Senators said they don't yet know when that money will come in and what strings could be attached.
Posted on · Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House "stood for big business" after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm.
Posted on · Over 3 million Texas have been left without power such as listener Megan, who has endured over 30 hours without power or heat with her seven-week-old baby as temperatures plunged to the upper 20s inside her home.
Posted on · The climate, environment and energy caucus aims to start a conversation in the Legislature on how Texas can prepare for climate change and take advantage of the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Posted on · While COVID-19 guidelines will vary between lawmakers’ offices, communication between legislators and the public will largely consist of phone and video calls or small, in-person meetings by appointment.