State Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, told The Texas Tribune he tested positive Thursday — three days after lawmakers gaveled in for this year’s legislative session
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: The odds for legal pot and casinos in Texas just got worse
One argument for legalizing casino gambling and marijuana sales in Texas is that they would produce tax revenue for the state during the recession started by the pandemic. But a new, optimistic economic forecast for the state takes some wind out of those sails.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Balancing Texas’ budget is always complicated. The pandemic and recession will make it even harder in 2021.
Lawmakers could face a multibillion-dollar budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying recession. That will only compound the difficulties of balancing the budget.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimony
The rules, which passed unanimously Thursday, will help govern the House during the Legislature’s 2021 session.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate changes rules so Republicans can still bring bills to floor without Democratic support
The resolution passed on a party-line vote.
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Texas Legislature 2021
A Texas lawmaker worked with the state restaurant association to draft an alcohol-to-go bill. His wife lobbies for the group.
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Make government boring again
The Texas Capitol had its defenses ready for the start of the legislative session after last week’s riots in the U.S. Capitol. But opening day was nice and quiet.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underway
Phelan’s election to the gavel was one of the House’s first order of business Tuesday, when the Legislature kicked off the 2021 legislative session.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas legislative session begins with heavy security presence following U.S. Capitol riot
Lawmakers gathered for the start of the 140-day session Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to rage in Texas.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Watch: Live video of the Texas House and Texas Senate
During the 2021 legislative session, The Texas Tribune is streaming the Texas House and Senate chambers, which you can watch here. The session runs from Jan. 12 to May 31.