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Texas Legislature

All articles tagged with #texas legislature

politics2 days ago•19 min saved

Goodwin Secures Democratic Nomination for Texas Lieutenant Governor, Faces Patrick

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#2026-elections #dan-patrick #lieutenant-governor

state-government24 days ago•20 min saved

TX lawmakers push to drop fiber-optic rule for summer camps

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#dan-patrick #dustin-burrows #fiber-optic-internet

state-government1 month ago•34 min saved

Camp Mystic director apologizes as Texas flood investigation unfolds

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#apology #camp-mystic #flood

politics1 month ago•16 min saved

Camp Mystic Flood: Lawmakers Hear Emergency-Prep Failures Fueled Tragedy

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#camp-mystic #emergency-preparedness #flood

politics3 months ago•27 min saved

Democrat push tests GOP hold in Texas SD-9 runoff

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#democrats #elections #politics

politics8 months ago•6 min saved

Texas Legislature Wraps Up with New Maps and Conservative Wins, but THC and Hemp Bills Stall

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#conservative-priorities #gop-victories #politics

politics9 months ago•2 min saved

Current Developments at the Texas Legislature

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.

via splinter.com|

#democrats #gerrymandering #political-tensions

politics9 months ago•3 min saved

Texas GOP Pushes Redistricting Amid Democratic Resistance

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#abbott #democrats #politics

politics10 months ago•20 min saved

Texas convenes special session to address flooding, redistricting, and safety measures

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.

via Politico|

#congressional-maps #gerrymandering #politics

politics1 year ago•5 min saved

Texas Legislature Wraps Up with Key Wins and Pending Decisions

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.

via The Washington Post|

#conservative-policies #immigration-enforcement #politics

politics1 year ago•11 min saved

Texas Legislature's 89th Session: Key Outcomes and Future Impacts

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#bail-laws #conservative-policies #education-reform

politics1 year ago•12 min saved

Texas Legislature Approaches Critical Deadlines Amidst Key Debates and Political Wins

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.

via The Texas Tribune|

#campaign-finance #deep-fake-videos #ethics-reform

education2 years ago•4 min saved

Texas Legislature's Failure to Address Education Issues Leaves Unresolved Problems Lingering

The Texas Legislature's special session ended without passing a government subsidy program for private school tuition, marking the third time this year that the Texas House has blocked legislation for education savings accounts. Rural Republican House members, along with Democrats, opposed the school choice proposal. The lack of action has intensified internal strife within the state GOP and fueled a feud between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan. It remains uncertain whether Gov. Greg Abbott will call for a fifth special session or focus on unseating Republican incumbents who voted against the bill.

via The Dallas Morning News|

#education #education-savings-accounts #political-strife

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

"Texas Legislature Fails to Pass Key Education and Safety Bills in Fourth Special Session"

The fourth special legislative session in Texas ended without action on key bills, including school vouchers, school safety measures, and changes to election trial timelines. Intra-party fighting and a lack of leadership from House Speaker Dade Phelan contributed to the failure to pass these bills. The session saw some victories for Republicans, including the approval of funding for a border barrier and enhanced immigration efforts. It remains unclear if Governor Greg Abbott will call for a fifth special session.

via The Texas Tribune|

#elections-bills #politics #school-safety

education2 years ago•7 min saved

"Texas Legislature's Battle over School Vouchers Continues with Fifth Special Session Looming"

The Texas House voted against a school voucher program that would have provided taxpayer dollars for private schooling, dealing a blow to Gov. Greg Abbott's top legislative priority. Pro-voucher advocates plan to continue fighting for vouchers in future legislative sessions and during next year's primary elections. The defeat of the voucher program means public schools won't receive additional funds for teacher pay raises and inflation adjustments. Public school advocates are preparing to push for increased school funding in the next legislative session and support pro-public school candidates in the primaries. Voucher advocates argue that education savings accounts would provide access to alternative forms of education and stabilize tuition for private schools.

via The Texas Tribune|

#education #primary-elections #public-school-funding