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.
Lawsuits filed as Texas governor signs controversial election reform bill into law
Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB1 into law today. The controversial Texas election reform law is already being challenged in court.
Texas lawmakers pass Senate Bill 6, reforming bail system
Prior to the bill’s passage, some courts had released people accused of crimes on personal bonds that did not require money.
Texas Legislature adjourns second special session after passing more of Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities
The Texas Legislature is expected to return soon for another special session focused on redrawing the state's political maps.
HB5 would restore funding for state lawmakers’ staff salaries
The Texas House is set to vote on restoring the funding that pays salaries for thousands of state legislative staffers.
Texas House advances new voting restrictions as Democratic hopes of killing the legislation wane
The House is expected to give the bill final approval on Friday, leaving the House and Senate to resolve their differences before the legislation heads to Abbott.
Texas House Republicans push ahead on voting bill with Democrats returning from D.C.
The Republican-controlled Texas House is expected to vote on election legislation Thursday for the first time since Democrats blocked it in late May by leaving the regular legislative session. Now, in this second special session, the House has a quorum with the return of some breakaway Democrats.
With a full plate of controversial bills to go, Texas House committee OKs funding for virtual learning
A Texas House committee approved a plan to expand virtual learning. The proposal calls for the state to cover the costs of online learning for most public districts and some charter schools until September of 2023.
Texas House to resume work on controversial election bill after meeting quorum
As work in the special session resumes Monday, members of the Texas House will hear from the public about a controversial election bill.
Quorum break ends as small number of Democrats return to Texas House after 38 days
The return of a handful of Democratic lawmakers abruptly and messily drew to a close one of the few -- and lengthiest -- quorum breaks in modern Texas history.
State Rep. Philip Cortez escapes Texas again to rejoin House Democrats in D.C.
Texas Democrats continue to draw a line in the sand, vowing to not return to the state until the special session ends.
Beto O'Rourke discusses continued efforts by Texas Democrats to stop proposed voting laws
Texas Democrats are entering their third week in Washington D.C., denying Republicans a quorum in the Texas House to continue the special session.
Lawmaker introduces bill in attempt to stop University of Texas from leaving Big 12
Some state lawmakers are trying to prevent the University of Texas from leaving the Big 12 without the legislature's approval.
1st Texas Democrat returns to Austin from Washington D.C.
At least one Texas Democrat returned to Austin from Washington D.C. to talk with Republicans about voting legislation that prompted Democrats to leave the state in the first place.
COVID-19 outbreak forces breakaway Texas Democrats to change plans
A COVID-19 outbreak among the renegade Texas Democrats in D.C has jeopardized their chances of meeting with President Joe Biden on voting rights.
2 more Texas House Democratic Caucus members test positive for COVID-19, bringing total to 5
Two more fully vaccinated members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, who are in Washington D.C., have tested positive for COVID-19.
3 fully vaccinated Texas House Democrats test positive for COVID-19 while in Washington D.C.
Three fully vaccinated members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who are in Washington D.C. have tested positive for COVID-19.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asks for change to Texas Legislature quorum rules
A change to the Texas Legislature quorum rules would take more than a vote by lawmakers -- it would also require Texans to vote.
Texas Republicans say Democratic quorum break could hurt public safety
More than 50 Texas House Democrats who left the state to stop elections law changes say they aren't coming back until the special legislative session is over. Republicans are now saying the protest is holding up bond reform legislation.
Donations pour in for Texas Democrats breaking quorum to kill GOP voting bills
The standoff hit day four on Thursday, with Texas Democrats vowing not to leave D.C. despite House Speaker Phelan offering to send a plane to pick up the lawmakers this weekend.