Hill Country News 3160
GOP Candidates for North Texas Senate District Spar Over DEI, Casino Gambling
The two Republican candidates vying to fill the vacant seat for Texas Senate District (SD) 9, vacated by Kelly Hancock who is now serving as the Acting Comptroller of Public Accounts, sparred over several issues, including over events dating back to 2020 at a recent forum. Leigh Wambsganss and John Huffman, both residents of Southlake,
Here’s the Top Bills That Become Texas Law on September 1
The Texas Legislature was busy during the 89th Legislative Session, with more than 830 bills set to go into effect on September 1, many of which were priority issues for both the upper and lower chambers. While members are just days away from wrapping up the second special session of the 89th Session, addressing issues
Texas House Approves Bill Allowing Civil Enforcement of Chemical Abortion Pill Ban
Legislation establishing civil penalties for the production and distribution of chemical abortion pills is close to becoming state law after passing the Texas House on Thursday night. State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) successfully carried the Texas Woman and Child Protection Act, which curbs the production and distribution of chemical abortion pills in Texas through civil
Texas ‘Bathroom Bill’ Separating Private, Publicly-Funded Spaces by Biological Sex Close to Becoming Law
Legislation separating publicly-funded private spaces, such as bathrooms, by biological sex is close to becoming Texas law after unsuccessful runs in previous legislative sessions. The Texas House of Representatives took up the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, dubbed “bathroom bill” by opponents, on Thursday afternoon and debated for over four hours before passing it on second
Texas Legislature Approves Bill Replacing STAAR Test with New Three Assessments
House Bill (HB) 8 has successfully passed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature, following Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session charge to eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test. Abbott has been a proponent of eliminating the STAAR test as far back as 2023, with the Legislature trying and failing to
Texas Lawmakers Give Harris County Sheriff, Constables Control of Deputy Contract Program
State lawmakers gave final approval to legislation Wednesday night that will give the Harris County sheriff and constables control of a unique program under which law enforcement can contract with school districts and neighborhoods for extra patrols. Although the program provides half of all patrols in the unincorporated portions of the sprawling county, for the
Mark Teixeira, Longtime Major League Baseball Player, Launches Texas Congressional Bid
Fourteen-year Major League Baseball veteran Mark Teixeira, a career 50.5 Wins Above Replacement player, is running for elected office in Texas’ 21st Congressional District, left open as incumbent Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21) is now running for attorney general. “Texas is the land of fierce independence, relentless optimism, and limitless opportunity. That unique spirit thrives in
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Joins Abbott, Lawmakers to Celebrate ‘Make Texas Healthy Again’ Bills
The “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement has made its way to the Texas Capitol with its face, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., joining a number of Texas elected officials to celebrate the signing of state legislation. “Doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican, whatever the case
A Visit to Wimberley Valley Winery & Lone Man Mountain Brewery
This past Saturday, Lu and I visited the Wimberley Valley Winery and Lone Man Mountain Brewing Co., a destination we had been eagerly anticipating. The winery and brewery share a building, located in the scenic Texas Hill Country just outside Driftwood, Texas. Both are family-owned and operated by Dean Valentine. Founded in 2006, Wimberley Valley
Constitutional Amendment on Attorney General’s Election Prosecution Powers Fails in Texas House, Similar Bill Passes
Texas Republicans advanced legislation intended to allow the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to prosecute election fraud, though Democrats argue it contradicts a previous court ruling. The Texas legislature rejected HJR 1, a proposed constitutional amendment which allows the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to independently prosecute election crimes, by failing to
Ivermectin Over the Counter Bill Passes Texas House
A bill to make ivermectin available without requiring a prescription order from a licensed healthcare provider sparked a heated debate on the Texas House floor, as the medication has become an overt point of partisan contention. State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R-Nacogdoches), the author of House Bill (HB) 25, presented the legislation before the House on
Texas Supreme Court Denies Paxton Restraining Order Hearing on O’Rourke in Quorum Bust Funding Lawsuit
The Supreme Court of Texas (SCOTX) denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to reverse a court order that prevented him from taking expedited action against former Congressman Beto O’Rourke for his involvement in funding Texas Democrats’ recent quorum break. Paxton submitted an emergency appeal to SCOTX on Tuesday, requesting that it vacate a 15th
