The Texas House and Senate were already far apart on “school choice.” Anger over the impeachment trial might make it even harder to find common ground.
Texas Legislature 2023
During the 88th Legislature’s regular session, lawmakers increased school safety funding, passed a law designed to shore up the state’s electrical grid and banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities. After two special legislative sessions, the GOP-controlled chambers agreed to an $18 billion tax cut for property owners. A third special session began Oct. 9 focusing on school vouchers and border issues. Learn how legislators write laws and which elected officials represent you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the latest session news.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Texas’ political environment driving faculty to leave, survey finds
After legislators passed laws banning diversity initiatives and targeting tenure at state universities, more than a quarter of the 1,900 Texas professors surveyed by faculty associations said they plan to look for positions out of state.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Federal judge issues temporary restraining order, says Texas law banning drag shows is “likely” unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge David Hittner heard from LGBTQ+ groups, businesses and a drag performer in a hearing this week, who argued Senate Bill 12 violated their First Amendment rights.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Harris County’s election chief remains in legal limbo after judge rules that lawmakers can’t dissolve the position
Republican lawmakers targeted the Harris County elections department during this year’s regular session after numerous issues arose out of the 2022 election.
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Texas Legislature 2023
After property-tax deal, Speaker Dade Phelan weighs in on leadership relations, next special session, reelection
Rapport among the state’s top three Republicans has greatly improved, the House leader said, but another relationship-testing special session awaits on contentious education issues.
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Ken Paxton Impeachment
Ken Paxton legal team works to invalidate every article of impeachment before trial
If successful, the flurry of legal filings would halt the suspended attorney general’s September impeachment trial before it truly begins in the Texas Senate.
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Ken Paxton Impeachment
Ken Paxton, lawyers test limits of gag order restricting comments on impeachment trial
Supporters of the suspended attorney general find ways to make known their displeasure about the case — and evidence — ahead of the September trial before the Texas Senate.
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Ken Paxton Impeachment
Ken Paxton’s lawyers seek to dismiss 19 of 20 articles of impeachment
The suspended attorney general’s legal team argues that evidence of actions prior to January 2023, when he began his latest term, cannot be considered in the Senate impeachment trial.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriateness
Two Texas bookstores and three national bookseller associations file suit over House Bill 900, which requires private booksellers to rate books on appropriateness, and bans “sexually explicit” material from libraries.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott signs $18 billion tax cut package for Texas property owners
At a time when the state has some of the nation’s highest property taxes, the initiative was a cornerstone of his 2022 reelection campaign.