The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s multibillion-dollar tax relief package to cut property and business margins taxes, tossing the ball into the House's court. Leaders in the other chamber, though, appear more inclined to lower state sales taxes and avoid a collision with the spending cap.

The Texas House on Wednesday tentatively approved a statewide ban on texting while driving, a measure that made it all the way to Gov. Rick Perry's desk in 2011 before getting vetoed.

Long hearings were the order of the day in a couple of committees this week. House State Affairs went deep into the night on Wednesday as it delved into legislation on same-sex marriage and "dark money" disclosure. And Senate Education on Thursday discussed school voucher legislation for nine hours.

Gov. Greg Abbott this week instructed the Department of Family and Protective Services to step up enforcement, screen potential foster parents and educate caregivers about gun safety. The move comes after three child deaths under the state’s ward this year.