Hill Country News 3160
‘Universal’ School Choice Bill Passes Texas Senate, Faces Upcoming Test in House
The Texas Senate passed its school choice proposal after a lengthy debate among members, featuring arguments from across the political spectrum that highlighted both strong support and deep concerns over the bill’s potential impact on public education. The vote at the end of the evening was 19 ayes to 12 nays to pass Senate Bill
Efforts to Legalize Gambling in Texas Face Senate Roadblock After Gaining Ground in 2023
The long road toward the legalization of gambling in Texas pits a legislative obstacle against a supportive populace, backdropped by what has been a blitz of millions of dollars and hundreds of lobbyists. For a couple of sessions now, offices within the Texas Capitol have been beset by lobbyists hired by Las Vegas Sands, Caesars
Lawmakers File Texas Constitutional Amendment to Remove Legislature’s Authority to Regulate Firearms
Two nearly identical House Joint Resolutions (HJR) filed by two state representatives would omit the Texas Legislature’s ability to regulate the bearing of arms in the state through an amendment to the Texas Constitution. Rep. Andy Hopper (R-Denton) filed HJR 93 on November 14, 2024, while Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) filed HJR 127
Three Texas Doctors End Child Gender Modification Treatments After Paxton Challenges
The Texas Legislature passed into law Senate Bill (SB) 14 banning child gender modification during the 88th Session, and since then Attorney General Ken Paxton has identified a number of doctors continuing to prescribe gender modification treatments to children. Now, he has said three doctors have “stopped” while legal proceedings continue. Paxton sued two doctors
Texas National Guard, State Law Enforcement Granted Federal Immigration Enforcement Authority
Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard may now arrest aliens suspected of violating federal immigration laws, including illegal entry, after a memo signed by Gov. Greg Abbott alongside Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Pete Flores essentially deputized the guard with federal law enforcement powers. The move was announced just before Abbott’s State of the
Public Education Funding, School Choice ‘Billionaires’ Feature in Texas House Democrats’ Response to Abbott’s State of the State
A group of Texas House Democrats gathered at Parmer Lane Elementary School in Austin on Monday to issue a response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State address, where lawmakers railed against school choice legislation. Abbott named the creation of an education savings account (ESA) program as one of his emergency items for the
Former Harris County District Attorney Defends Indictments of County Judge’s Staff Tossed by Attorney General
Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg defended the indictments of three of County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s staff in relation to an alleged bid-rigging scheme for millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds after the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) moved to drop charges against two of the three defendants last week.
Turbulent Ties: Donald Trump and Chip Roy Navigate Frenetic Relationship
The dynamic between Texas Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and the man in the White House continues on with the consistency of a roller coaster — up, down, and corkscrewed all over. The latest example of which came in the most recent fight over raising the debt ceiling in Congress. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript
Sharelunker Program Enjoyed Record-Breaking Season
The 2024 Toyota ShareLunker season reached new heights thanks to 371 anglers who entered a record 689 lunker largemouth bass into the program throughout the year from 89 Texas public waterbodies. The total included 467 in the Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class (weighing between eight to 9.99 pounds or at least 24 inches), 190 Strike
Crab Trap Removal Dates Set
For the past 23 years in February, countless volunteers band together to search the Texas coastline for abandoned crab traps. The abandoned traps foul shrimpers’ nets, snag anglers’ lines, ghost fish (when lost or abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, traps and pots continue to catch and kill marine life) and create unsightly views. To
Wardens Recognized By TPWD Commission
Two Texas Game Wardens were recognized during January’s Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting for their contributions and efforts in supporting the agency’s mission. “Kirk Clendening and Jamal Allen represent the teamwork, integrity and professionalism that define Texas Game Wardens,” said Col. Ronald VanderRoest, TPWD Law Enforcement Director. “Their contributions to conservation law enforcement, leadership within their
Abbott Outlines Property Tax Relief, School Choice, Water Infrastructure as Emergency Items in State of the State Address
Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his 2025 State of the State address to more than 1,000 people on Sunday in Austin, outlining his slate of emergency items that covers property tax relief, infrastructure and cybersecurity spending, and a long-awaited school choice program. “Texas is the most powerful economy in America. Ranked as the best state for
