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Texas Democrats Shift Messaging on Public Safety, Criminal Justice Legislation Slate
Texas Democrats find themselves in the political wilderness following their shambolic 2024 election up and down the ballot, and one of the handful of issues Republicans used against them last year was crime and public safety. For a half-century, Democrats across the country maintained the broad parameters of the FDR coalition — made up of
Federal Judge Blocks Texas A&M University System’s Drag Show Ban
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System banned drag shows across their 11 campuses after the board of regents passed a resolution, resulting in a lawsuit that produced a ruling from a Texas judge blocking the ban from being enacted. The resolution, which was passed earlier this month, stated explicitly that “Drag Show Events are likely
Texas Legislature Looks to Crack Down on Distribution of Chemical Abortion Pills
Legislation has been filed in the Texas Senate that would crack down on chemical abortion pill distributors — whether via the internet, trafficked from another state, or through mail or prescription. It also establishes a means for a mother or father to sue the other for secretly using such substances to end the life of
Texas Spent $5.1 Million Total on Ken Paxton Impeachment, per State Auditor
The State of Texas spent $5.1 million in total on the impeachment investigation and trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023, according to a report released by the State Auditor’s Office. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced at the beginning of March that Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) had turned over financial statements related to the
Ted Cruz Unveils $250,000 School Choice Ad Campaign During Visit to Texas Capitol
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) descended into the Texas Legislature this week to “cheer the House on” as the debate concerning school choice heats up in the state. “The Texas House of Representatives is taking up what I think is the single most important issue before the Texas Legislature, and that is school choice,” Cruz
Texas Senate Passes Weakened Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Following GOP Amendment
The Texas Senate passed legislation intended to ban “taxpayer-funded lobbying” late Wednesday night, but tacked on an amendment that exempts groups like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). State Sen. Mayes Middleton’s (R-Galveston) Senate Bill (SB) 19 passed along party lines last night in a marathon floor proceeding. The bill prohibits local governments from
Classroom Discipline, Student Violence Testimony Heard in Texas House Committee Hearing
Classroom behavior and providing an orderly learning environment for students in Texas public schools has been an ongoing discussion in the Texas Legislature. Now, House Bill (HB) 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) seeks to address the issue by reforming education policies regarding both in- and out-of-school suspensions. The priority legislation aims to amend school
Priority Water Infrastructure, Nuclear Power Bills Considered in Texas House
Two issues have dovetailed together more than most others in the Texas Capitol this session: water infrastructure and nuclear power. Both bills were heard in House committees on Wednesday, and both are authored by the same person. State Rep. Cody Harris’ (R-Palestine) laid out the nominally unrelated but inextricably linked package of bills in two
Texas Senate Passes Bill Banning Most THC Products, Packaging Appealing to Minors
“Banning THC in Texas” is a top priority for the leader of the Texas Senate and he has indicated that the top elected officials in the state are supportive. Senate Bill (SB) 3, authored by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lobbock), aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of consumable hemp products containing any cannabinoid other
Texas House Committee Takes up Bail Reform, Denial of Bail for Illegal Immigrants
A Texas House committee took testimony Tuesday on a package of criminal justice reforms, including proposed amendments to the state constitution that would allow some violent defendants to be held without bail. Filed by Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chair John Smithee (R-Amarillo), House Joint Resolution (HJR) 16 seeks to amend the Texas Constitution to require detention
Texas Lawmakers Weigh New Slate of Gun-Related Bills
Texas lawmakers and activists have quarreled over the advancement of major gun rights-related legislation in recent sessions — from open carry of handguns, to permitless “constitutional carry,” to a “made in Texas” suppressor law, all measures that dominated headlines at the time. Fast forward, and all of those aforementioned issues are now law. There is
Texas Lawmakers File Priority Bills Clarifying ‘Life of the Mother’ Abortion Exceptions
Legislation has been filed in both the Texas House and Senate clarifying the state’s exceptions for abortion prosecution in cases to preserve the mother’s health — highly-anticipated bills after the last election cycle’s bloody round in the arena, largely focused on the state’s abortion ban and its effect on healthcare professionals and Texas women. The
