A new Texas law gives financial institutions greater authority to stop transactions that they suspect are aimed at defrauding elderly or disabled clients.
Kirby Wilson
Kirby Wilson was a reporting fellow for The Texas Tribune in 2016-17. Previously, Kirby worked as a politics reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, his hometown paper, and as a staff writer for the Duke Chronicle. He graduated from Duke in the spring of 2017 with an English degree and alarming levels of debt.
Posted in
Now on the Books
Anti-cyberbullying activists wanted a Texas law with “teeth.” They may have gotten one.
Lawmakers and advocates say “David’s Law,” which Gov. Greg Abbott signed in June, will allow school districts and prosecutors to fight cyberbullying on multiple fronts.
Posted in
State Government
Texas House approves sending first two special session bills to governor
The Texas House tentatively approved two bills Thursday that will keep several state agencies from closing. The chamber is expected to give the measures final approval tomorrow, sending them to the governor.
Posted inState Government
Texas House approves “compromise” city annexation bill
Legislation that would allow Texans to vote on whether cities in large counties can annex areas outside of their limits — a contentious issue that prompted a filibuster in May — got one step closer to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk Friday.
Posted in
Public Education
Former Texas Gov. Mark White dead at 77
Mark White, who served as the governor of Texas from 1983 to 1987, has died at 77. Among his notable achievements was the legislation he signed that included the famous “no-pass, no play” law.
Posted in
Health care
House OKs reversing cuts to disabled children’s therapy services
The Texas House gave tentative and unanimous approval Thursday to a measure that would partially reverse a controversial cut to disabled children’s therapy services that was ordered by the 2015 Legislature.
Posted in
Economy
In Texas House, property tax proposals range from minor tweaks to abolishment
After a proposal to give a property tax exemption to Purple Heart recipients hit a snag on the House floor Monday, a committee considered a more radical idea: eliminating school district property taxes altogether.
Posted in
Congress
U.S. Rep. Roger Williams cleared in ethics investigation
A congressional panel looking into whether U.S. Rep. Roger Williams improperly benefited from legislation he supported said its review found nothing that could lead to “a reasonable inference of improper conduct.”
Posted in
Politics
Travis County DA offers to drop charges if Rep. Dawnna Dukes resigns
The Travis County District Attorney’s office has told state Rep. Dawnna Dukes it would drop corruption charges against her if she agrees to resign from office and agree to a drug and alcohol assessment by the end of business Tuesday.
Posted inState Government
Fracking, not hacking, has Texas GOP congressmen mad at Russia
Congressmen Lamar Smith and Randy Weber wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury alleging that American environmental groups are being funded by Russia. Critics say the Texas Republicans are trying to divert attention from President Trump’s Russia problems.