Politics
Senate Republicans Block Democrats’ Sweeping Voting Rights Legislation
Posted on · The GOP has filibustered Democrats' massive bill that's aimed at protecting and expanding voting rights and reforming campaign finance laws.
Politics
Politics
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Sets July 8 Date For Special Legislative Session On Voting Bill, Other Issues
Posted on · Abbott’s office did not specify what legislative priorities will be included on the special session agenda and said in an advisory that such items “will be announced prior to the convening of the special session.”
Houston Matters
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Discusses Voting Rights, COVID-19 On Houston Matters
Posted on · During an interview on Houston Matters Tuesday, Hidalgo also discussed the Astrodome, contracts for minority and women-owned businesses, and other issues of concern for Harris County residents.
Animals
Gov. Greg Abbott Vetoes Criminal Justice Bills, Legislation To Protect Dogs, Teach Kids About Domestic Violence
Posted on · Abbott vetoed 13 bills authored by Democrats and seven by Republicans. Twelve of the vetoes targeted bills that originated in the House, and eight were from the Senate.
Health & Science
White House Says The U.S. Will Narrowly Miss Its Vaccination Goal
Posted on · President Biden set a goal of 70% of U.S. adults at least partially vaccinated by July 4. The White House is acknowledging Tuesday that it will likely come up short of that.
Education News
What Is Critical Race Theory? Explaining The Discipline That Texas’ Governor Wants To ‘Abolish’
Posted on · Those who study the discipline say attacks on it are targeting any teachings that challenge and complicate dominant narratives about the country’s history and identity.
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.
Politics
Eva Guzman, Former Texas Supreme Court Justice, Officially Starts Campaign For Attorney General
Posted on · The Republican made her bid official Monday, touting her experience and integrity. She'll face incumbent Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush in the primary.
Immigration
Family Of Afghan Interpreter Killed By The Taliban Talks U.S. Arrival And What’s Next
Posted on · In a sit-down interview with Houston Public Media, the family of an Afghan interpreter killed by the Taliban talk about the dangers they faced over the last 10 years, the bittersweet relief of finally living in the U.S., and what's next for the family in a new country.
Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott Vetoes Funding For Texas Legislature And Its Staff As Punishment For Democrats’ Walkout On Elections Bill
Posted on · The governor’s move comes after House Democrats led a walkout in the final days of the regular legislative session to block passage of Senate Bill 7, Abbott’s priority elections bill that would have overhauled voting rights in the state.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth Is Now A Federal Holiday
Posted on · June 19 is a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day enslaved people in Texas were finally freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Texas Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott Could Veto Funding For The Legislature This Week In Retaliation For Democratic Walkout
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.
Politics
Congressional Democrats Try To Go Around Conservative State Leaders To Expand Medicaid In Texas, Elsewhere
Posted on · Texas rejected expanding medicaid to the working poor again this legislative session. The COVER Now Act will go around those conservative leaders.
Health & Science
Obamacare Wins For The 3rd Time At The Supreme Court
Posted on · The 7-2 decision threw out the challenge to the law, saying Texas and other objecting GOP-dominated states were not required to pay anything under the mandate provision and thus lacked standing.
Immigration
Gov. Abbott Orders South Texas Prison To Make Room For Undocumented Immigrants, TDCJ Says
Posted on · The Texas Department of Criminal Justice began moving incarcerated people from the Dolph Briscoe Unit in Dilley on Wednesday as part of the governor's Operation Lone Star initiative, announced in March.