Facing a midnight deadline in the House to take initial votes on that chamber’s bills, Democrats dragged their feet, working to delay a vote on a bill forbidding the use of state or local funds to issue same-sex marriage licenses.
Ryan McCrimmon
Ryan McCrimmon was a reporting intern for The Texas Tribune in 2015. A graduate of Northwestern University, Ryan previously covered national politics and foreign affairs for the Medill News Service in Washington, D.C. He has also worked as an anchor and producer for the Northwestern News Network and a local news reporter for the C-ville Weekly in his hometown, Charlottesville, Virginia. Ryan studies journalism and Middle East studies at Northwestern.
Posted in
State Government
Rep. Stephenson Rushed to, Released From Hospital
State Rep. Phil Stephenson, R-Wharton, was taken to an Austin hospital Thursday morning, House Administration Chairman Charlie Geren announced on the floor of the Texas House.
Posted in
Economy
End of the Road for Tesla, Ride-for-Hire Bills
With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas.
Posted in
Economy
Rainy Day Fund Could Be Invested More Aggressively
The Texas Senate on Tuesday passed a measure granting Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar more flexibility to invest a portion of the $8 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, sending the bill to the governor’s desk.
Posted in
Politics
House Shoots Down Increased Financial Disclosures
The Texas House on Monday night rejected a bill that would have increased the level of detail in personal financial statements filed by lawmakers and other state officials.
Posted in
Health care
House Advances E-Cigarette Ban for Minors
Texas moved a step closer to banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors after the state House gave tentative approval Monday to a bill that lawmakers say would prevent young Texans from purchasing nicotine products.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House Gives Early OK to Expanding DNA Testing
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Posted inState Government
Buzz Dulls on Marijuana Legalization Bill; Floor Action in Doubt
A House committee Wednesday night voted 5-2 to approve a proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas — but that might be as far as the measure gets.
Posted in
Politics
Senate Takes Aim at Public Labor Groups
The Texas Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would make it tougher for public sector labor groups to collect dues by prohibiting state agencies and local governments from deducting union dues from many paychecks.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Hate Crimes, Sodomy Law Before House Panel
Texas lawmakers Wednesday considered extending hate crime protections to transgender people and repealing the state’s anti-sodomy law, which remains on the books even though it’s been found unconstitutional.
