Hey, Texplainer: What’s all the talk about deadlines at the Legislature this week? Aren’t there three weeks left in the session?
Texplainer
Welcome to The Texas Tribune’s “Texplainer” series, where we answer questions from readers like you.
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Guides
Texplainer: What’s a Third Reading?
The first reading is just an introduction, the second reading is when the action happens, and the third reading is for final passage.
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Guides
Texplainer: What Does It Cost to Fight Texas Wildfires?
As the wildfires have worsened, costs have mounted at a rate of over $1 million per day. The state will pay the majority, though local governments and the feds will also pay a share.
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Guides
Texplainer: How Will High Gas Prices Affect the Budget?
With gasoline costing $1 more than a year ago, budget planners can add fuel expenditures to their list of worries. However, it’s also true that oil companies will also pay more in taxes to the state as they beef up their drilling operations.
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Guides
Texplainer: Why Are There Two Calendars Committees?
With more than 3,000 bills and only 140 days to pass them, somebody’s got to set priorities and make a schedule. Those somebodies are on the calendars committees.
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Guides
Texplainer: What Happens To Texas If The Feds Shut Down?
Not much, unless you’re one of the state’s 130,000 civilian federal employees — or you’re scrambling to get your taxes done.
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Texplainer: Are All Committee Meetings Televised?
Generally, committee meetings are open to the public and recorded — one way or another.
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Guides
Texplainer: How Real Is the Feral Hog Menace?
Feral hogs are a fast-growing — and destructive — problem. Does that mean recreational hunters in helicopters should shoot them?
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Guides
Texplainer: What Is a “Point of Order”?
Calling a point of order is a parliamentary delay tactic, but it can be a deadly one.
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Guides
Texplainer: Who Would Be Allowed to Carry on Campus?
Those with a concealed handgun license, which currently means they must be 21 years old. Though it won’t necessarily be that way forever, which raises another question: When it comes to gun safety, does age matter?