The state’s endangered species chief says a plan to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard is facing a “significant threat” from companies that mine the fine-grain sand that oil producers use for hydraulic fracturing.
August 2017
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Facing three-day deadline, Texas legislators race to finish
The end of the first-called special session may be in sight for the Texas Legislature, which spent most of the weekend debating measures Gov. Greg Abbott wants it to pass.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Broken school finance system spawns wild solutions
In Austin — the poster child for property tax recapture in Texas right now — the school district is telling taxpayers they’ll be sending $2.6 billion to the state over the next five years. That’s inspiring some crazy ideas.
Posted inState Government
Senate approves bill restricting abortion insurance
A bill requiring Texas women to pay a separate health insurance premium to get coverage for non-emergency abortions — what opponents have dubbed “rape insurance” — is close to becoming law.
Posted in
Higher Education
White nationalist rally at Texas A&M to feature Richard Spencer; counterprotest planned
A College Station white nationalist is planning a rally on the campus of Texas A&M University that will feature the infamous self-described “alt-right” leader Richard Spencer. Students are already planning a counterprotest.
Posted in
Politics
Property tax legislation clears major hurdle in House
The lower chamber wants to set the threshold requiring voter approval of some property tax collection increases at 6 percent. The Senate put the trigger at 4 percent.
Posted inState Government
Limiting property tax increases: How the House voted
During the debate over Senate Bill 1, state representatives were asked to change a proposed 6 percent limit to 4 percent — a change the bill’s author said would prompt him to withdraw the legislation. The House voted 80-52 against that amendment, and then continued to debate the rest of the bill.
Posted in
Demographics
What Texas officials are saying about white nationalist protests in Charlottesville
Here’s how Texas officials are responding to the white nationalist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Posted in
Environment
Anti-wall activists march to protect church in Rio Grande Valley
Hundreds of Texans gathered at a historic mission a few hundred yards from the Rio Grande on Saturday to protest President Trump’s proposed border wall.
Posted inState Government
Special session bills finally reach Abbott’s desk, but big hurdles remain with 5 days left
Legislation finally began reaching Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk on Friday — with five days left in the special session — but there’s still much progress to be made on Abbott’s 20-item agenda.