State 977
Six people are being detained in Frio County as a result of vote tampering fees.
Following Attorney General ( AG ) Ken Paxton’s launch of a multi-county election integrity investigation, Texas issued indictments and arrests for six people in Frio County, four of whom were elected officials. Frio County Judge Rochelle Camacho is one of the indicted people who is accused of three works of voter planting. Ramiro Trevino and […]
Power Grid, Data Centers Bill Awaits Testimony in Texas House Committee Hearing
It’s been a fairly quiet legislative session for the power grid — at least in comparison to the last two — but one energy-related item is drawing most of the attention: coping with the influx of data centers and other large electricity loads. The Texas House State Affairs Committee will field testimony on Senate Bill […]
Texas Ports, Retailers Impacted by Trump’s Global Tariffs
President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on “Liberation Day” sent shockwaves through the global economy, and now Texas is beginning to see some of the downstream effects. Trump’s trade war with countries around the world took shape in “reciprocal” tariff rates typically ranging from 10 to 50 percent, depending on the country and product. […]
Self-Driving Semi-Truck Company Launches Operations in Texas
Texas continues to establish its position as a leader in the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology with a self-driving semi-truck company now operating in the state, marking the next step in this burgeoning industry. Aurora Innovation has set free its “Aurora Driver” self-driving system in Texas. The AV truck company says it will […]
224 Medically Necessary Abortions Reported in Texas Since Dobbs, Data Scope Remains Disputed
Approximately six “Medical Necessity (Life/Health) Exception” abortions have been performed in Texas per month in the 30 months following the overturn of Roe v. Wade with no known repercussions for healthcare providers, recent state data indicates — as the Texas Legislature actively mulls over legislation clarifying exceptions to the state’s abortion laws. From August 2022 […]
Texas Lawmakers Weigh Border Security, Illegal Immigration Bills in Last Month of Session
Texas lawmakers remain active in addressing border security and illegal immigration in the 89th Legislative Session, with several pieces of legislation currently under consideration in both the state House and Senate. Illegal immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border has markedly improved since President Donald Trump entered office in January. A report from U.S. Customs and Border […]
Texas House and Senate Strike Property Tax Deal on Homestead, Business Exemptions
A repeat of the property tax feud of 2023 looks unlikely as the two chambers of the Texas Legislature have struck a deal on homestead and business property taxes well in advance of “sine die,” the last day of the legislative session, on June 2. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) announced in the Senate Local […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Faces Political Crosswind Over Chronic Wasting Disease Rules
Few government agencies in Texas carry a title that evokes as much goodwill as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) — conjuring images of sprawling state parks, cherished outdoor traditions, and a hunting and fishing industry deeply woven into the state’s culture. But for a growing number of ranchers and rural landowners, that once-sterling […]
Texas Legislature Removes ‘Education Exception’ for Pornography, Sexual Performance of a Child
State lawmakers have voted to remove an exception in Texas law that effectively allowed adults to give obscene material to children or elicit the sexual performance of a child if done for “educational” or other purposes. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that I stand before you with these sections of Chapter 43 of the penal code still […]
House Conservatives Press Leadership for Action on Texas GOP Priorities
A group of conservative members in the Texas House who’ve voiced organized criticism of the status of bill movement in their chamber pushed for advancement of GOP priority legislation in a press conference ahead of the chamber’s first deadline in mid-May. The group of around a dozen legislators held a press conference next to the […]
Texas House Committee Approves New Version of Senate THC Ban
The potential prohibition on certain consumable hemp products containing THC in Texas has raised significant concerns from lawmakers and the public, and now the Texas House has passed a committee substitute that makes significant changes to the original language of the Senate’s priority bill. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made “Banning THC in Texas” a […]
Texas House Passes Phelan Bill Requiring Disclosure of ‘Deepfakes’ in Political Advertising
Legislation requiring the disclosure of altered images in political advertising, and providing for punishments including up to a year in jail, passed the Texas House — spearheaded by the chamber’s former speaker, Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). House Bill (HB) 366 passed on third reading on Wednesday by a 102 to 40 vote, with every “nay” […]
