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GOP Redistricting Effort Kicks Off in Texas Legislative Committee Hearings
The attempted mid-decade redraw of Texas’ congressional map began formally in a Thursday select committee meeting full of irate Democrats and mostly silent Republicans, the latter of whom are positioned to achieve their desired result — even if it’ll be unpleasant. President Donald Trump and the White House are on a mission to find more
Texas Lawmakers Consider Bill Shielding Part of Police Personnel Records from Information Requests
State lawmakers are considering making certain portions of police personnel records exempt from Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requests over concerns for privacy and abuse of the system, but opponents say that would make law enforcement less accountable. Introduced by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford), Senate Bill (SB) 14 resurrects legislation that failed to pass during
Texas AG Paxton Announces End to Harris County’s Guaranteed Basic Income Program
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that his office has successfully halted Harris County’s guaranteed basic income (GBI) program that would have awarded monthly stipends to selected low-income residents. “This unlawful free handout scheme pushed by champagne socialists like [Harris County Judge] Lina Hidalgo has now been completely defeated,” Paxton said in a statement.
‘Water Pirates’: Texas House Committee Grills Investor Over Exploratory Applications for Groundwater Extraction
Water law for the average person in Texas is, to borrow a quote from legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. It’s layered, archaic, and confusing. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in
‘Water Pirates’: Texas House Committee Grills Billionaire Over Applications for Groundwater Extraction
Water law for the average person in Texas is, to borrow a quote from legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. It’s layered, archaic, and confusing. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in
Texas Legislature Given Second Chance to Eliminate STAAR Test During 2025 Special Session
Lawmakers were unable to get a bill eliminating the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) across the finish line during the regular session that ended in June, but they will get another chance with Gov. Greg Abbott placing the issue on the special session agenda. Abbott is asking the members to “eliminate the
Affirmative Defense for Human Trafficking Victims on Special Texas Legislative Session Agenda
Legislation establishing legal protections for human trafficking victims who were coerced into crimes during their captivity was vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott last month, but is set to be taken up again during the 89th Legislature’s first special session. Senate Bill (SB) 1278, authored by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), sought to create an affirmative
Kerrville and Kerr County Ask for Disaster Tax Rate Calculation
As part of their annual budget processes, the City of Kerrville and Kerr County have taken action to have the county tax assessor calculate a new voter-approval tax rate at an 8 percent increase, rather than the usual 3.5 percent. In 2021, the Texas Legislature allowed local governments, which are under a disaster declaration to
Texas Lawmakers Take Up Renewed Push to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
In response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s special legislative session call, Texas lawmakers will once again attempt to tackle the thorny issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying in hopes of curtailing the practice. “Right now, political subdivisions of state are spending about $100 million per biennium on taxpayer money to hire registered lobbyists, and they’re using those public
Texas Senate Committee Unanimously Approves New THC Regulation Bill
The Senate State Affairs Committee on Tuesday took up Senate Bill (SB) 5, the latest edition of the upper chamber’s attempt to address hemp-derived THC products in Texas, this time for the special session. Authored by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), who also wrote the THC ban legislation during the regular session, began the hearing by
Bull Redfish Are Thick In Texas Bays
For decades, if you wanted to chase giant redfish in shallow marshes, you booked a trip to Venice, Louisiana. The muddy channels and grassy pockets of the Mississippi Delta were the undisputed home of the bull redfish, oversized reds tipping the scales at 20 to 40 pounds or more. But in recent years, anglers along
Prominent Texas School Districts Opt Out of Homeschool Participation in UIL Athletic, Academic Events
The University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for athletic, academic, and fine arts competition in Texas public schools, will now be required to allow homeschool students to participate in events by default. Under the former law, districts had to opt in to allow homeschool families to participate in UIL programs, but Senate Bill 401
