All articles tagged with #texas legislature
A federal judge reaffirmed that Texas Senate Bill 12, a 2023 law restricting drag performances, is unconstitutional and paused the law again after the 5th Circuit’s reconsideration instructions, finding its broad definitions could criminalize constitutionally protected performances and violate the First Amendment; the suit was brought by LGBTQ+ groups and drag performers.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock will resign at the end of July, a year after taking the job appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Hancock oversaw the rollout of Texas Education Freedom Accounts, the state’s $1 billion school-choice program. He lost his bid for a full term to Don Huffines, who will face Democrat Sarah Eckhardt in November. Hancock remains confident the agency will continue to function smoothly and that Huffines will build on the ongoing work.
A 115-page investigative report adopted by Texas Senate and House committees finds Camp Mystic had no written emergency plans, stalled evacuations, and chaotic incident management during last year’s July Fourth flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors; overall, more than 130 people died in the floods. The findings will guide policy changes for the 2027 legislative session, with lawmakers noting much was addressed by prior safety bills but promising further tweaks after hearings and ongoing reviews of staff training and emergency communications.
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin won the Democratic runoff to become the party's lieutenant governor nominee and will face Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in November; Goodwin pitched herself as a public schools advocate focusing on affordability, healthcare access and water infrastructure, while Patrick—an ally of Trump with a large fundraising lead—presides over a GOP-led Texas Senate, setting up a high-stakes general election in Austin.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows urged lifting the state requirement that youth camps install end‑to‑end fiber-optic facilities to qualify for licensure, arguing other reliable connectivity could meet the rule’s goals after a lawsuit by 19 camps; the mandate was enacted following the July 4 Hill Country floods that killed campers, and critics say fiber costs can be prohibitive or impractical for rural camps, with lawmakers planning to revisit camp safety standards in 2027 while there was no immediate comment from the Department of State Health Services.
At a state House and Senate flood hearing, Camp Mystic director Edward Eastland apologized to families whose children died in last year’s flood, saying they tried their hardest and regretting not communicating sooner. Lawmakers heard harrowing accounts from grieving parents, assessed the camp’s preparedness and evacuation plans, and debated license renewal with the Texas Department of State Health Services, with some suggesting shutdown if deficiencies aren’t fixed. The testimony underscored the trauma for survivors and the political pressure surrounding Camp Mystic’s future.
Texas lawmakers heard from investigator Casey Garrett that Camp Mystic lacked adequate emergency training, evacuation plans, and safety equipment, contributing to the deaths during last summer's Guadalupe River flood; the testimony detailed chaotic evacuations and leadership failures by camp operator Dick Eastland, prompting calls for stricter safety rules and possible denial of the camp's operating license amid ongoing lawsuits and state investigations.
Texas voters in Senate District 9 face a Saturday runoff between Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss; the result could indicate Democrats’ momentum in a red-leaning state, aided by fundraising disadvantages against the GOP but with high-profile endorsements and a short-term seat that ends with a full-term rematch in November.
The Texas Legislature concluded a tense six-and-a-half-week special session with significant GOP wins, including new gerrymandered congressional maps, conservative social policies, and retribution against Democrats, while leaving some issues unresolved like hemp regulation and property tax reform.
The Texas Legislature is experiencing intense political drama as Democrats who fled the state to block a vote have returned, facing strict oversight measures like 'permission slips' to monitor their movements, with one representative resisting and filing a legal challenge, highlighting deep partisan conflicts ahead of the midterm elections.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to call a second special legislative session immediately after the current one ends on Friday, aiming to push a conservative agenda including redistricting and social issues, amid a Democratic quorum break that has halted lawmaking activities.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a special legislative session to focus on redistricting, potentially reshaping congressional maps to favor Republicans ahead of 2026, amid ongoing legal challenges and political tensions over map fairness and representation.
The Texas legislature concluded its session with a $338 billion budget, implementing conservative policies including increased immigration enforcement cooperation, a historic school voucher program, and greater control over public universities, while also addressing infrastructure and property tax issues, though concerns remain about future budget shortfalls.
Texas lawmakers concluded their 2025 session by passing conservative policies including private school vouchers, stricter bail laws, water infrastructure funding, and measures to promote Christianity in schools, while also addressing issues like online gambling and property taxes, with some bills facing legal challenges and opposition.
The Texas Legislature is unlikely to pass significant ethics reform bills this year, with many proposals stalled in committees or reduced in scope, amidst a backdrop of political conflicts, opposition from conservative groups, and a lack of legislative motivation to address longstanding ethics issues.