Llano County officials must offer library books they’d removed, judge orders

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• Texas House delays final vote on barring the death penalty for mentally ill defendants

  by Jolie McCullough Updated: 10 hours ago

  The chamber has repeatedly passed legislation in recent sessions eliminating the death penalty in cases of severe mental illness, but hardline conservatives are now pushing back. Full Story 

• Texas Education Agency moves to appoint conservators for Austin ISD

  by Brian Lopez Updated: March 31, 2023

  The TEA recommended the move, citing the district’s failures serving special education students. The announcement comes two weeks after the agency appointed a board of managers to oversee Houston ISD. Full Story 

• Rift grows between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan over how to cut property taxes

  by Joshua Fechter Updated: March 31, 2023

  The Senate wants to raise the homestead exemption. The House wants to tighten the appraisal cap. Both chambers’ leaders are skeptical of each other’s proposal. Full Story 

• Nate Paul, real estate investor in Paxton corruption allegations, ordered to jail again after losing appeal

  by James Barragán March 31, 2023

  The Austin real estate developer is central to allegations that his friend, Attorney General Ken Paxton, abused his office to help Paul’s business affairs. Full Story 

• TribCast: Weighing Donald Trump’s support among Texas Republicans

  by Matthew Watkins and Justin Dehn March 31, 2023

  In this week’s episode, we discuss the Texas reaction to the indictment of Donald Trump and check in on how the leaders of the Legislature are getting along. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concerns

  by Alejandro Serrano March 31, 2023

  The authors of bills in both legislative chambers say their bills’ aim is simple: keeping sexually explicit content off school bookshelves. But opponents say the legislation is vague and broad enough to wreak havoc. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans quickly blast Donald Trump indictment, calling it “catastrophic” and politically motivated

  by William Melhado Updated: March 30, 2023

  Trump became the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, in his case over alleged hush money payments made to an adult film star. Many of his fellow Republicans in Texas lambasted the legal development. Full Story 

• Staff of Houston state Rep. Jolanda Jones resigns, citing hostile work environment

  by Zach Despart March 30, 2023

  The House Speaker’s spokesperson said the office learned of the complaints against Jones on Wednesday, and would be evaluating whether the lawmaker broke any House rules. Full Story 

• Federal judge in Texas strikes down key ACA provision regarding preventive care services

  by Julia Forrest March 30, 2023

  A federal judge in Texas found the appointment of the volunteer body issuing preventive care requirements, unlawful. Full Story 

• Texas Observer will continue publishing after staff crowdfunds more than $300,000

  by Sewell Chan Updated: March 30, 2023

  The crusading liberal magazine had planned to lay off its staff and shut down. But the board has now reversed course. Full Story 

• Texans who take custody of their relatives’ kids struggle to make ends meet — and to get more aid from the state

  by Sneha Dey March 30, 2023

  Relative caregivers, like grandparents who want to keep kids out of foster care, usually get half as much state assistance as strangers who take in children. Full Story 

• Why Ted Cruz’s next reelection path looks smoother with Beto O’Rourke behind him

  by Matthew Choi March 30, 2023

  U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz will be up for reelection next year, now a seasoned senator and established conservative leader. But Democrats are still holding out hope they can repeat the sensation of Beto-mania. Full Story 

• Texas Senate approves bill restricting which college sports teams transgender athletes can join

  by Kate McGee Updated: March 29, 2023

  The bill will now head to the Texas House where enough lawmakers have already expressed support to approve a similar bill. Gov. Greg Abbott has also said he supports the measure. Full Story 

• Bills advance to close loophole allowing some lawmakers to increase their pay to $140,000

  by James Barragán March 29, 2023

  Two bills that advanced in House and Senate committees on Wednesday both exempt any lawmaker who has already taken advantage of the benefit. Full Story 

• Texas Senate scales back proposed restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender kids

  by Alex Nguyen, William Melhado and Sneha Dey Updated: March 29, 2023

  Senate Bill 14 would now allow trans children who are already receiving some transition-related treatments to continue getting that care. The Senate gave initial approval to the reworked legislation Wednesday. Full Story 

• Texas bill advancing in the Senate would block minors from updating gender on birth certificates

  by Alex Nguyen and William Melhado Updated: March 29, 2023

  Opponents of the bill call it a “power play aimed at making the lives of transgender children as difficult as possible.” Full Story