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Gov. Abbott Requires That Texas Agencies Recognize Only Male and Female as Legitimate Genders
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to all Texas state agency heads reiterating that the State of Texas recognizes only male and female as legitimate genders, mirroring language declared in one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders (EO). “This office has consistently reiterated a simple truth: The State of Texas recognizes only two sexes —
Texas Attorney General Drops Felony Charges Against Hidalgo Staffers in Harris County Bid-Rigging Case
Prosecutors at the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) have filed motions to dismiss felony charges pending against two of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s former staffers in relation to an $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract awarded to a highly connected Democratic strategist in 2021. According to documents filed in Harris County on
State Lawmaker Seeks to Formalize Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ in Texas Constitution
President Donald Trump wasted no time after taking the oath of office to declare he would be making big changes, one of which is to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring
Texas Lawmaker Files ‘Abolition of Abortion’ Bill, Faces Opposition from Lt. Gov. Patrick
State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville) filed a bill that would treat an elective abortion as murder under state law. The “abolition of abortion” legislation is a proposal to eliminate an exception in state penal code for women who obtain an abortion — providing equal protection under criminal law to unborn children. × This page requires
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lee Finley Continues Legal Battle Over Mortgage Default
Attorneys for a newly elected member of Texas’ highest criminal court, Judge Lee Finley and his wife, appeared in a Dallas-area state appellate court as defendants appealing a district court eviction order after defaulting on their home mortgage payments. What isn’t in dispute is that the Finleys owe a six-figure balance on their home mortgage
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Releases First Round of Senate Priority Bills
Legislative business is already underway in the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released the “first round” of priority bills he plans to focus on this session. Patrick noted in his press release that this year he has increased the number of priority bills from 30 to 40 for
TPWD Commission Adopts Oyster Regulation Changes
During its Jan. 23 meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Commission approved changes to the oyster regulation Certificate of Location (COL) program rules. The approved rule revisions allow the use of the COL program for oyster regulation and reef restoration as well as harvesting, and includes: Mirroring Parks and Wildlife Code changes that
Texas Senate Committee Hears Testimony on ‘Universal’ School Choice Bill
The Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16 took up its “fully universal” school choice bill this week as the priority legislation garners increased attention, evidenced by hours of testimony. Senate Bill (SB) 2 authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) utilizes education savings accounts (ESA) as its method for school choice. The program is described as universal because
Texas Lawmakers File Artificial Intelligence Legislation for 89th Session
The sheer ubiquity of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has exploded in recent years, and the Texas Legislature has filed a bevy of bills to address the growing industry. Gov. Greg Abbott has already established an AI advisory council for Texas, which he said was important to make sure Texas took full advantage of the “revolutionary
Texas House Member Files Bill to Raise Minimum Death Penalty Age to 21
State Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) filed a bill that would alter the Texas penal code by raising the age to receive the death penalty from 18 to 21. House Bill (HB) 2055, filed by Moody 10 days after the start of the 89th Texas Legislature, states that Section 8.07 of the Texas penal code
More Than 2,000 Acres Added Near Colorado Bend State Park
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) laid the groundwork for a new state park in Central Texas with the purchase of 2,020 acres in Burnet County. The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. Its purchase solidifies phase one of a potential two-phase
So What Did the Freeze To To Texas Coastal Fisheries?
The recent winter freeze along the Texas coast has prompted widespread monitoring of fish populations. So far, reports suggest that fish kills have been relatively limited compared to previous events, though certain species have been affected to varying degrees. Tarpon from last week’s freeze. (Photo Courtesy Kills & Spills Team) Key Observations Species Impacted: Initial
