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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.
Trump-Favored Five-Seat GOP Gain Redistricting Map Passes Texas House
The new Texas congressional map cleared the largest hurdle on Wednesday, passing the House in expedited fashion along party lines — putting the projected five-seat-gain map on track to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk by the end of the week. The final vote was 88 ayes — all Republicans including House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), who
Grieving Camp Mystic Parents Testify on Flood Disaster Before Texas Senate Committee
State senators heard from grieving parents during the Texas Senate Disaster, Preparedness, and Flooding Committee hearing Wednesday, as many relayed their anguish and made calls for reform to safety standards. “I’d just like to say that it’s gonna be a little bit of a tough day,” Chairman Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) imparted to the other members
Federal Judge Halts Required Classroom Display of Ten Commandments Donated to Texas Public Schools
A federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking a recently-passed Texas law that requires public schools to display donated copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Senate Bill (SB) 10, which requires public schools to display copies of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments in classrooms if donated by an
TEA A–F Ratings Put Five Texas School Districts at Risk of State Takeover, Closures
Five public school districts are vulnerable to state intervention following last week’s release of A–F accountability ratings by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Each district has at least one school with five consecutive years of failing ratings, which under state education code will result in either a state-appointed board of managers or closure of the
Texas Bill Would Hold Judges Liable for Harm Done by Violent Offenders on PR Bonds
A state lawmaker from Harris County wants to make judges liable for harm done by violent suspects if they are released on a personal recognizance (PR) bond in response to numerous stories in Texas of repeat offenders who commit new crimes. “If the judge makes a bad decision and lets somebody out on a PR
Second Special Session of Texas Legislature Kicks Off, House Remains Without Quorum
The second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature kicked off almost immediately after the first one adjourned sine die due to House Democrats breaking quorum — with an almost identical agenda from Gov. Greg Abbott. After the Texas House Democratic Caucus prevented a quorum within the Texas House for two weeks to avoid a
Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die After Two Weeks of House Quorum Break
The Texas Legislature has adjourned sine die before the scheduled end of the first special session, as Texas House Democrats have temporarily thwarted the Republicans in passing the congressional redistricting map. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Texas Redistricting Fight Leaves Mark on Legislature as Quorum Break Stalemate Winds Down
United fronts are hard to come by in Texas politics, particularly on the Republican side, the party which controls every statewide office, both chambers of the Legislature, and a large majority of the congressional delegation. When the minority party is so powerless, the fracturing conflicts are concentrated in the party with all the power. But
Texas House Public Health Committee Considers Hemp-Derived THC Ban
The Texas House Committee on Public Health took up the lower chamber’s bill banning THC on Wednesday, with medical professionals, industry leaders, and law enforcement descending on Austin to provide testimony on one of the state’s most contentious issues. State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) filed House Bill (HB) 5 — which is an exact
