Texas lawmakers expected to be sweating over a very tight budget right now, after strong early signs that the pandemic would stall the economy. But an improved economy and a huge infusion of federal aid is erasing those fears.
Texas Legislature 2021
The 87th Texas Legislature approved hundreds of new laws during its regular session that ended in May 2021, including a near-total ban on abortions. Lawmakers then returned to Austin for three special sessions aimed at passing additional conservative priorities. Although House Democrats fled the state for weeks, lawmakers eventually passed new voting restrictions. They also approved new political maps and a proposed constitutional amendment that could lower property tax bills.
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Texas Legislature 2021
In oil-rich Texas, GOP lawmakers push bill to punish Wall Street for fossil fuel disinvestments
The bill would direct state investment funds to divest from companies that cut ties with fossil fuel companies, pitting Texas against some increasingly carbon-conscious Wall Street investors.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Lawmaker pushes to allow concealed weapons in Texas public schools
A 2015 law that allowed licensed adults to carry concealed weapons on college campuses sparked widespread protest. Now one legislator wants to extend the practice to include public schools and some charter schools.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Masks won’t be required at state Capitol — but lawmakers face stricter rules in House, Senate chambers
The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers plan slate of bills in response to power outages, but experts skeptical there will be meaningful change
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday also said he wants lawmakers to prioritize correcting any ERCOT-related billing errors, including inaccurately high electricity charges. That came after the Public Utility Commission said it will not fix ERCOT’s $16 billion power billing mistake.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Proposal in Texas House would give special committee oversight of governor’s pandemic orders
The provision is expected to be added to a bill addressing the governor’s pandemic powers that has been denoted as a priority by House Speaker Dade Phelan, according to a draft obtained by The Texas Tribune.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Legislation backed by casino giant would allow casinos, sports gambling in Texas
Las Vegas Sands is pushing to create the opportunity for casinos at “destination resorts” in the state’s four largest metropolitan areas.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Another Texas GOP lawmaker is attempting to make abortion punishable by the death penalty
Similar bills filed in the Texas Legislature in previous years have failed.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Millions of Texans still don’t have broadband access. Some lawmakers are trying to change that.
Although much of the attention is focused in the lack of infrastructure in rural areas, large numbers of urban residents also don’t have broadband subscriptions.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott backs bill to stop social media companies from banning Texans for political views
Senate Bill 12 would prohibit social media companies — including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube — from blocking, banning, demonetizing or otherwise discriminating against a user based on their viewpoint or their location within Texas.