Dems walk, stop Texas GOP's sweeping voting restrictions
Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving Republicans with no choice but to abandon a midnight deadline and declare the legislative session essentially over.
Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving Republicans with no choice but to abandon a midnight deadline and declare the legislative session essentially over.
Abbott asserts himself, reminds Texas GOP leaders only he calls special sessions
“Not only am I the only one that gets to call a special session, I get to decide when and I get to decide what will be in that special session," Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday.
“Not only am I the only one that gets to call a special session, I get to decide when and I get to decide what will be in that special session," Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for special legislative session to revive priority bills
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasted the House on the Senate floor for not passing three conservative-led bills, blaming the chamber for taking time off during the session.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasted the House on the Senate floor for not passing three conservative-led bills, blaming the chamber for taking time off during the session.
AG Ken Paxton calls on federal leaders to visit overwhelmed Texas-Mexico border
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling on more federal leaders to visit the border to see firsthand how the crisis is unfolding along the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling on more federal leaders to visit the border to see firsthand how the crisis is unfolding along the Texas-Mexico border.
Minimal progress on police reform efforts as Texas Legislature nears end
As the final days tick away for the biannual Texas legislative session, progress is limited on police reform efforts proposed in the wake of George Floyd's death.
As the final days tick away for the biannual Texas legislative session, progress is limited on police reform efforts proposed in the wake of George Floyd's death.
Could Beto be back? O'Rourke mulling bid for Texas governor
Three years after becoming Democrats’ breakout star out of Texas, and a year removed from crashing back to Earth in a short-lived presidential run, O’Rourke is again weighing another campaign — this time for governor.
Three years after becoming Democrats’ breakout star out of Texas, and a year removed from crashing back to Earth in a short-lived presidential run, O’Rourke is again weighing another campaign — this time for governor.
Legal challenges likely ahead for strict new Texas abortion law
The new Texas abortion law is set to take effect in September, but federal courts have mostly blocked states from enforcing similar abortion restrictions.
The new Texas abortion law is set to take effect in September, but federal courts have mostly blocked states from enforcing similar abortion restrictions.
Texas Legislature passes 1st bill in response to February's winter storm, but experts hoping for more
The first major bill in response to February’s widespread power outages from the winter storm is headed to the governor's desk.
The first major bill in response to February’s widespread power outages from the winter storm is headed to the governor's desk.
HB 1399, which would impact transgender children, unlikely to pass through Texas House
A bill set for a vote in the Texas House, which could impact transgender children, may not pass the chamber before a deadline set for Thursday.
A bill set for a vote in the Texas House, which could impact transgender children, may not pass the chamber before a deadline set for Thursday.
Special election runoff to succeed late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright set for July 27
The runoff features two Republicans: Ron Wright's widow, Susan Wright, and state Rep. Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie.
The runoff features two Republicans: Ron Wright's widow, Susan Wright, and state Rep. Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie.
Alcohol-to-go now law in Texas: 'Today is a great day for Texas restaurants'
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 1024 into law, making alcohol-to-go permanent.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 1024 into law, making alcohol-to-go permanent.
Texas House bill would restrict teaching critical race theory in schools
Republicans support the bill, saying it keeps students from engaging in divisive topics. Democrats call it whitewashing and an attack on free speech.
Republicans support the bill, saying it keeps students from engaging in divisive topics. Democrats call it whitewashing and an attack on free speech.
Texas governor’s emergency powers during pandemics would be curbed under bill advanced in House
HB 3 as advanced would give lawmakers more oversight of the Texas governor’s emergency powers during a pandemic and specifically carves out future pandemics from how the state responds to other disasters, such as hurricanes.
HB 3 as advanced would give lawmakers more oversight of the Texas governor’s emergency powers during a pandemic and specifically carves out future pandemics from how the state responds to other disasters, such as hurricanes.
Texas House passes controversial voting legislation after changes from Democrats
The party line vote happened after Republican lawmakers conceded to several Democratic proposed amendments that softened the language on criminal penalties.
The party line vote happened after Republican lawmakers conceded to several Democratic proposed amendments that softened the language on criminal penalties.
Voter suppression or voter integrity: Texas lawmakers spar over election bill
Texas lawmakers are going late into the evening Thursday sparring over voting legislation. Republicans say it's about election integrity. Democrats call it voter suppression.
Texas lawmakers are going late into the evening Thursday sparring over voting legislation. Republicans say it's about election integrity. Democrats call it voter suppression.
Texas bill hopes to give divorced parents equal custody of children
Texas fathers going through divorce often face an uphill battle to gain equal custody of their children. Advocates had hoped to change Texas law to make it easier, but a bill that would do that is stalled with time running out.
Texas fathers going through divorce often face an uphill battle to gain equal custody of their children. Advocates had hoped to change Texas law to make it easier, but a bill that would do that is stalled with time running out.
Beto O’Rourke endorses Deborah Peoples in race for Fort Worth mayor
Democrat Beto O’Rourke has thrown his support behind Deborah Peoples in the race for Fort Worth mayor.
Democrat Beto O’Rourke has thrown his support behind Deborah Peoples in the race for Fort Worth mayor.
Abortion ‘heartbeat bill’ clears major hurdle in Texas House
The bill would significantly shorten the window during which a woman can have an abortion.
The bill would significantly shorten the window during which a woman can have an abortion.
Texas Senate votes to move forward with permitless carry bill
The Texas Senate voted to move forward with the permitless carry, or constitutional carry, bill.
The Texas Senate voted to move forward with the permitless carry, or constitutional carry, bill.
Faith leaders oppose ‘heartbeat bill’ measures at Texas Capitol
Those opposed to SB 8 say the legal liability is too broad. It’s claimed that under the law a rapist could sue the family members of his victim if they recommend an abortion should be done.
Those opposed to SB 8 say the legal liability is too broad. It’s claimed that under the law a rapist could sue the family members of his victim if they recommend an abortion should be done.