The Texas House voted Tuesday to swallow a bitter pill and accept a version of a school finance bill that had $1.5 billion less in funding for schools than the lower chamber initially approved.
August 2017
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas lawmakers condemn Trump’s remarks on Charlottesville (video)
Controversial statements President Donald Trump has made about the violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville have invited criticism from Texas Democrats and Republicans alike.
Posted inState Government
Trump to fundraise in Dallas in September
Hosts of the Sept. 27 fundraiser in Dallas include senior RNC officials as well as some Texas donors and bundlers who supported Trump in his 2016 campaign.
Posted in
Health care
Bill regulating do-not-resuscitate orders heads to governor’s desk
A bill requiring doctors to obtain explicit patient permission for do-not-resuscitate orders will land on the governor’s desk after the Senate voted to approve the measure Tuesday night.
Posted in
Health care
Gov. Abbott signs bill giving Texas maternal mortality task force more time
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill on Wednesday giving a state task force more time to study why an alarming number of Texas mothers are dying less than a year after childbirth and find solutions.
Posted inState Government
Here’s what happened to Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda during the special session
Gov. Greg Abbott gave Texas lawmakers a 20-item agenda to tackle in a summer special session. Over the course of 29-days, the Legislature sent him bills addressing about half of those issues. Here’s what got addressed and what died.
Posted in
Politics
In special session rubble, spotlight shines bright on Straus
Following a bruising special session that ended a day earlier than expected, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus drew sharp criticism from some fellow Republicans as well as questions about his future as head of the lower chamber.
Posted in
Politics
After months of controversy, Texas bathroom bill dies quietly
After generating a heated statewide debate earlier this year, the Texas bathroom bill died in the special legislative session with little drama or fanfare.
Posted in
Politics
Gov. Abbott slams House, doesn’t rule out second special session
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday put blame on the House — particularly Speaker Joe Straus — for the shortcomings of the special session and left the door open to calling another one.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: The Texas Legislature goes out with a bang
When the special legislative session abruptly ended Tuesday night, property tax legislation was among several items left undone on Gov. Greg Abbott’s to-do list for lawmakers.