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‘Texas Two Step’: House School Choice, Public Education Funding Bills Filed
The Texas House has filed its pair of education bills, one for public school funding and the other to create a school choice program, characterized by House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) as the “defining issue of this session.” Dubbed the “Texas Two Step,” Burrows described the pair of education bills as “historic” and said that
Texas Senate Approves ‘Jocelyn’s Law’ Denying Bail to Illegal Aliens Facing Felony Charges
Three bail reform measures filed by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and prioritized by both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sailed through the Texas Senate with bipartisan support Wednesday, including a proposal that would require judges to hold illegal immigrants charged with felony crimes without bail. “Across Texas, and specifically in Harris County,
Texas Senate Weighs Creating of Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) is keen on establishing a first-of-its-kind financial reserve for the State of Texas focused on Bitcoin. Senate Bill (SB) 21, one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities, would create a fund outside the state treasury and run by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts that “serves the public purpose of
Texas Senate Weighs Creating Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) is keen on establishing a first-of-its-kind financial reserve for the State of Texas focused on Bitcoin. Senate Bill (SB) 21, one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities, would create a fund outside the state treasury and run by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts that “serves the public purpose of
‘Texas Teacher Bill of Rights’ With Pay Raises Filed in Senate
Gov. Greg Abbott made a point of talking about teacher pay raises in his 2025 State of the State address, and now the Texas Senate has filed legislation to address the issue. Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), who also filed the upper chamber’s school choice proposal, has proposed Senate Bill (SB) 26, otherwise known as the
Texas Proposes Land Ownership Ban for Certain Foreign Entities
The Texas Senate has wasted no time tackling priority legislation during the 89th Legislature Session, the latest being a bill to “protect key and natural resources” by restricting who can own land in Texas. “Stopping Foreign Adversaries’ Land Grabs” or Senate Bill (17) is a piece of legislation, proposed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and
Dan Patrick, Matthew McConaughey Want $500 Million for Film Incentives, Texas House Less Keen
In a unique moment in legislative history, the names Matthew McConaughey, Dennis Quaid, Woody Harrelson, Billy Bob Thornton, Renee Zellwegger, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are colliding in an effort to usher in a new era for the Texas film industry with the help of public dollars. A Texas Senate priority bill hopes to set
Texas Lawmaker Proposes Requiring Insurance to Cover ‘Detransition’ Services
Health insurance companies would be required to cover medical gender transition reversal services, per a new proposal introduced in the Texas Senate, tapping back into one of last session’s hottest debates. State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1257 on February 13, one of the first of its kind in the state intended
Texas Senate Bill Filed to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Expenditures on Abortions
A state senator has introduced legislation that would prohibit government organizations from assisting abortion providers — whether logistically or monetarily through taxpayer funds — and tighten the reins against government-funded abortion-related travel. Senate Bill (SB) 730, introduced by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), expands the definition of an “abortion assistance entity” to include anyone that
Elon Musk Petitions Texas House to Pass School Choice, Speaker Says ‘We Will’
School choice in Texas is one of the most significant issues facing lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session, and now the world’s richest man — who is also a Texas resident — has come out in favor of it. In the early hours of Friday morning, Elon Musk posted on social media his endorsement of
Legislators File ‘Atomic Texas’ Act to Spark Nuclear Power ‘Renaissance’
Gov. Greg Abbott called for forging a “nuclear power renaissance” in Texas during his 2025 State of the State address, two legislators have filed legislation intended to make the concept a reality. State Rep. Drew Darby’s House Bill (HB) 2678 would create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority and a low-interest loan fund to go
Texas Lawmakers Call for Transparency on Dismissed Criminal Cases, Unelected Hearing Officers
As part of a reform package that would include changes to criminal bail bond policies in Texas, Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) has proposed adding a layer of transparency in cases where charges are dismissed for a “lack of probable cause.” Under current code, even after the local district attorney’s office accepts charges, a hearing officer
