The latest Phil King news from The Texas Tribune.
In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits. Full Story
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The legislation would give ERCOT the ability to turn off power to major consumers in an emergency. Full Story
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According to ERCOT, the state’s energy demand may double in six years. Full Story
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The state grid’s operator said the current regulation will allow it to meet future demands. Full Story
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The legislation would put new requirements on wind and solar companies that oil and gas companies in Texas do not face. Full Story
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The Senate also passed a bill that would set prayer and Bible reading times during the school day. Full Story
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Conservative activists have pushed for legislative leaders to ban Democrats from leading committees. Full Story
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The new political maps drawn by the Texas Senate don't just favor Republicans; that much was expected from a Republican majority. The maps help Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pick which Republicans he wants in the Senate. Full Story
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Within half an hour of declaring his bid, King got the endorsement of the Senate's presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers. Full Story
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Remaking the state’s political maps — redistricting — is important. One way to tell is that the lawmakers making the maps do their dead-level best to avoid saying anything that might signal their intent. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill weeks after a federal judge blocked the existing state law in response to a lawsuit. Full Story
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The audit says the Texas Department of Public Safety lacks the controls to ensure necessary documents are collected and retained. Full Story
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The Angleton Republican called a press conference for Monday afternoon to discuss the race. Full Story
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The 17-year-old shooter who killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School last week used his father's guns. But his family would not be liable under Texas' safe storage law, since the law only applies to children under 17. Full Story
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Texas has four official candidates for speaker of the Texas House and a small herd of unofficial ones. The law that requires candidates to make it official allows contenders some serious wiggle room. Full Story
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Only four members of the Texas House have filed papers declaring their candidacies for speaker. But the election isn't until January, and many more candidates are lurking in the shadows. Full Story
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Despite all the focus on November, many in Texas politics are keeping a close eye on January. That's when the 150-member Texas House will pick its new House speaker. Full Story
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Voting as a partisan bloc might let a majority party pick the next Texas Speaker of the House, but something like it has been tried before. It didn't work. Full Story
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State Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, announced Friday that he has filed paperwork to run to be the next speaker of the Texas House. Full Story
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