State 977
Social Media, AI Companies Focus of New Attorney General Ken Paxton Investigation
Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a new investigation into a variety of different social media and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. “Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas’s strong data privacy laws,” stated Paxton. “These investigations are a critical step toward ensuring that social media and AI companies comply with […]
FIRE Survey Finds Free Speech Concerns Among University Faculty in Texas
Texas colleges and universities continue to be a battleground for free speech and open debate, and now the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has published a new analysis of faculty members that provides insight into the broader impacts of campus climate. According to the FIRE survey, one in three faculty have “recently toned […]
The Gavel and Its Gravity: Texas House Members Push for Speakership Reform
There are two gravitational forces at work in any legislative body — always in tension with one another, and always locked in a zero-sum tug-of-war — the desire to socialize the credit and to individualize the blame. In Washington, D.C., this comes most prominently in the form of Congress, the Article I branch, prostrating itself […]
A bill is being introduced by the Texas legislator to stop incarcerated illegal aliens from serving society time
Senate Bill ( SB ) 552, which would prohibit convicted illegal aliens from receiving an early termination of their probation through community service, is one of the bills introduced ahead of Texas ‘ 89th Legislative Session regarding illegal immigration and justice. According to its definition of illegal aliens, SB 552 proposes that they be ineligible […]
After David Cook is nominated for the GOP conference, Dustin Burrows produces his lot support list for the house speaker.
” The speaker’s race is over”, Chairman Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock ) announced at the Capitol on Saturday, following a tumultuous day of gridlock during which state Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield ) secured the Texas House Republican Caucus endorsement. ” I have received at least 76 names in writing so you can see them yourself, along […]
Incumbent Dade Phelan Exits Texas House Speaker Race, Chairman Dustin Burrows Enters
Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) is dropping out of the race for a third term, he told members on Thursday morning and afternoon. Speculation whizzed around yesterday that Phelan would step aside ahead of Saturday’s Texas House Republican Caucus vote, and Phelan himself shrugged off those assertions to reporters on Thursday evening. × This page requires […]
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Proposes Statewide THC Product Ban
A ban on products containing consumable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could be coming to Texas, after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made it a top priority ahead of the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. In a press release, Patrick made the announcement that 2025’s Senate Bill (SB) 3 “will ban all forms of THC and keep these unsafe […]
‘Whole New Texas House’ Says Phelan’s Chief of Staff on Proposed Chamber Reforms
Business as usual is over in the Texas House, according to Mike Toomey, the new chief of staff for Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). “All the things you remember about how the House works — throw it out,” Toomey told a gathering of lobbyists at a Wednesday panel put on by the Professional Advocacy Association of […]
Texas Files SCOTUS Brief in Pornographic Website Age Verification Lawsuit
Texas filed a brief with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) on November 26 requesting that it uphold a state law requiring pornography websites to use age verification measures to prevent the exposure of sexual material to minors. SCOTUS will hear arguments from Texas on January 15 of next year. × This page […]
Texas Appeals Court Denies Rehearing Motion in 2021 Blackouts Case Against Generators
Financial and regulatory fallout from the 2021 blackouts across the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power region sparked a slew of lawsuits, another of which has now been resolved after a denial of motion to reconsider the case. The First Court of Appeals in Texas denied a motion for rehearing en banc — meaning […]
Texas Lawmakers Propose New Election Integrity Laws After Mishaps in Harris, Bexar Counties
As state lawmakers gear up for the 2024 legislation session, Republicans are eyeing election law reforms that would enhance consequences for violations, crack down on controversial innovations, and offer more remedies for problematic elections. Calling a slew of election-related proposals the “Integrity 7,” Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) told The Texan the changes are necessary. × […]
Texas Accuses BlackRock, Other Financial Firms of Conspiring to Close Coal Power Plants
Texas and 10 other states have sued three of the world’s largest financial companies, alleging the trio violated antitrust laws to push coal power plants out of commission. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he and 10 other attorneys general sued BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street in federal district court in Tyler, Texas. × This page […]
