Hill Country News 3160
Abortion Pill Crackdown Bill Passes Texas House Committee After Lawmakers, Pro-Life Groups Negotiate
Legislation cracking down on chemical abortion pills was favorably reported out of a Texas House committee after backdoor negotiations were had between pro-life lobbyists and lawmakers, in the wake of a dustup between Republicans alleging attempts to kill the legislation. The House State Affairs Committee met for a formal meeting on Monday evening to
Texas House Committee Approves Bill Shifting Control of Harris County Contract Policing
A Texas House committee gave approval to a bill authored by state Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) Friday that would shift control of a contract policing program from the Harris County Commissioners Court to the elected sheriff and county constables. Under the county’s unique deputy contract program, the sheriff and eight elected county constables contract with
Cruz, Paxton Endorsements Upend Race for Texas Attorney General
The early favorite for the most interesting 2026 race in Texas is the campaign for the state’s attorney general, and two new endorsements have ramped the intrigue up to 11. Four candidates are vying for the spot: state Sens. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), former Department of Justice appointee Aaron Reitz, and Congressman
Interview: Sen. John Cornyn Discusses Border Reimbursement, Re-election, State of the GOP
The Texan sat down for a conversation with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) last week to discuss Congress, his race for re-election against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and the state of his party. Below is a transcript of that conversation, lightly edited for readability. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to
Texas Congressional Redistricting Map Passes Senate, Heads to Gov. Abbott’s Desk
One hurdle remains before the new Texas congressional map can become law after the Senate gave it final passage early Saturday morning, voting along party lines to send the plan to the governor. It took a couple of extra weeks and a second special session — the first having been killed by House Democrats’ two-week-long
Bill Expanding Ivermectin Access Taken Up in Texas House Public Health Committee
Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session of the 89th Legislature just a little over a week ago, then expanded the agenda earlier this week to include allowing Texans to purchase Ivermectin over the counter. “Texans should have increased access to the benefits of Ivermectin,” Abbott wrote about the expanded second special session call
Lloyd Doggett to Not Run for Re-election if Texas Congressional Redistricting Succeeds
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) announced that after serving in Congress for over 30 years, he will not seek re-election if the courts preserve the new district lines under the GOP’s mid-decade redistricted map. The press release hit inboxes on Thursday, after the Texas House successfully passed the Republican five-seat gain congressional redistricting map. House
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan Announces Retirement After Five Terms
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) will retire in 2026 after five terms representing House District (HD) 21 and a tumultuous four previous years at the speaker’s dais. Phelan posted on X a video of famed American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris reading his retirement announcement on Thursday afternoon. × This page requires
Texas House Passes Flood, Disaster Response Bills
The Texas House took up and passed a number of flood relief bills on Thursday, addressing camp safety, emergency response, and funding appropriations. The July 4 flooding that took the lives of more than 130 people, including many children from Camp Mystic, has left the Kerrville community grieving, with lawmakers hearing testimony from families and
State Rep. Stan Lambert Retires After Four Terms in Texas House
State Rep. Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) is closing the chapter on his time in the Texas House, after serving House District (HD) 71 since 2017. Lambert announced his retirement via a press release on Thursday morning, confirming that he would not be seeking re-election, but would finish out his current term and then hang up his
Congressman Chip Roy Launches Bid for Texas Attorney General
Conservative firebrand and U.S. House Freedom Caucus member Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21) will run for Texas attorney general, the four-term legislator told The Texan. “It has been my honor to represent the 21st Congressional District of Texas — the best part of the best state in the greatest country in the history of the world.
Court to Hear Kemah Lawsuit Against Paxton Over Concealed Police Chief Complaints
Although the City of Kemah continues to defy the Texas Office of the Attorney General, several residents, and a state lawmaker over disclosure of documents related to an investigation into former Police Chief Holland Jones, on Monday a Travis County judge will hold a hearing on the city’s lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton over
