The 2021 Texas legislative session will be unlike any other, as lawmakers work to get the people’s business done in the midst of a pandemic that shows few signs of slowing.
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
Analysis: At a time like this, who needs another emergency?
Gov. Greg Abbott will give a State of the State speech next week, an occasion where governors can declare “emergency items” for early legislative consideration. It would be hard to top the emergencies already on the agenda.
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Texas Legislature 2021
The late Sheldon Adelson’s gambling empire pushes forward with goal to bring casinos to Texas
Las Vegas Sands has hired 51 lobbyists to push for the expansion of gambling in Texas.
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Despite insurrection, there may be more guns in the Texas Capitol this session
The violent storming of the U.S. Capitol prompted some states to reconsider allowing firearms in their statehouses. Not Texas.
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Texas Legislature 2021
“If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month.
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Coronavirus in Texas
How to connect with your Texas lawmakers during the pandemic
While COVID-19 guidelines will vary between lawmakers’ offices, communication between legislators and the public will largely consist of phone and video calls or small, in-person meetings by appointment.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Internet and phone services in rural Texas threatened as state slashes subsidies for providers
A state fund that subsidizes rural network service is bleeding money. Now the state is drastically cutting the amount of money that it typically pays out to these service providers.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: A call for unity in government — in Texas, two years ago
State leaders started their last legislative session, in 2019, with a call for unity. By their measure, they got what they set out to accomplish. They’re back to normal this year — not at odds, but not singing “Kumbaya,” either.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Watch: New Texas senators discuss plans to address COVID-19’s impact on health, businesses
State Sens. César Blanco, D-El Paso; Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio; and Drew Springer, R-Muenster, detail their ideas to combat the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19 on Texans.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House and Senate propose similar spending amounts in preliminary budgets
The proposals are about $7 billion over the amount Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said lawmakers have to spend during the 2021 legislative session.