Texas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
Gun reform likely won't be focus of special legislative committees in wake of Uvalde school shooting
Texas House Speaker Dan Phelan said conversations about the issues outlined by Gov. Abbott are already underway, and added that the "House will get to work immediately."
Will there be a Texas special session in wake of Uvalde school shooting?
Following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas lawmakers are discussing the possibility of an emergency special session in Austin to create change.
Will any changes be made in wake of another mass shooting in Texas?
In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly school shooting in Uvalde, the state’s Republican leaders are already facing questions about whether enough was done after past mass shootings.
Texas Senate committee holds meeting over reliability of state power grid
Both Democrats and Republicans in a Texas Senate committee agreed there needs to be more oversight of the oil and gas industry. The concerns were about the role natural gas providers played during last year's deadly winter storm disaster.
Texas attorney general Democratic primary votes still being counted
It’s been three days since primary election day, but it’s still not clear who will be in a runoff among Democrats for Texas attorney general.
Texas voters will decide on lowering property taxes after Legislature completes last-minute Hail Mary
If voters approve the measure next year, it will raise the state’s homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes, netting the average homeowner about $176 in savings.
Texas lawmakers pass new congressional maps bolstering GOP
Texas Republicans have approved redrawn U.S. House maps that favor incumbents and could decrease political representation for growing minority communities in the nation's largest red state.
Third Texas special session set to end Tuesday with many bills still in limbo
Gov. Greg Abbott late in the session asked lawmakers to pass a bill mirroring his recent executive order prohibiting any entity from mandating proof of vaccination for employees and customers. There are two bills that would accomplish the governor’s ask. But as of right now, it’s not likely to pass.
Texas GOP advances new congressional maps
Texas Republicans on Saturday night closed in on redrawn U.S. House maps that would shore up their eroding dominance as voters peel away from the GOP in the state’s booming suburbs.
New redistricting maps favoring Republicans head to Gov. Abbott's desk
The redistricting maps now go to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. However, Democrats believe it's unfair to minority voters and expect a court battle.
Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ participation passes Senate
Critics of the legislation, including transgender advocates, say it unfairly targets transgender children and puts them and cisgender children at risk for being discriminated against.
Texas Senate committee discusses turning Abbott’s vaccine mandate ban into law
A new bill filed in the State Senate aims to require companies to provide an exemption for people who don't want a vaccine for reasons as simple as someone's "conscience." Medical professionals argued that vaccines work and can keep workers safe. Supporters of the bill argued mandates are a form of "discrimination."
Texas House approves bill targeting transgender student-athletes after three previous attempts faltered
The Texas House approved legislation on Thursday that would restrict transgender student-athlete participation in school sports, clearing a notable hurdle for supporters of the measure after similar legislation sailed through the Senate and stalled in the House three times prior this year.
Texas House approves redistricting map largely favoring Republicans
The Texas House approved its proposal for state representation for the next ten years. It solidifies the Republican majority, adding districts with white voter majorities. But at least one North Texas Democrat secured a minor victory for his party in Dallas County.
Transgender sports bill sees another hearing in Texas House
House Bill 25 would require Texas students to play on the team that corresponds to the sex listed on the player's birth certificate.
Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color
Democrats criticized Republicans for “targeting” a North Texas district that had been trending Democratic and for not drawing any new districts where people of color would represent a majority of eligible voters.
Abbott dodges question on changing Texas abortion law for rape victims
Gov. Greg Abbott refused to say if he would support a bill that adds exemptions for rape and incest victims to the new law restricting abortions in Texas.
Third special session gets underway: What is on the agenda?
Governor Abbott identified 5 agenda items for the third special legislative session in his proclamation that announced he would convene another special session.
Texas Republicans have the redistricting tools to preserve their power
Lawmakers must redraw the state’s political maps to account for a decade’s worth of growth, but the process leaves enough room for political manipulation. Here’s how it’ll work.