Legislation that would have blocked public employees from paying union or association dues with paycheck deductions failed last session. But the Senate is reopening the issue, and it could play against a powerful House chairman up for reelection next year.
84th Legislative Session
Posted in
State Government
God & Governing: Education
Tune in to “God & Education” — the final part of our “God & Governing” documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers’ personal religious beliefs played into abstinence education and school voucher debates in the 2015 Texas legislative session.
Posted in
State Government
God & Governing: Marriage
Check out “God & Marriage” — part 4 of our “God & Governing” documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers’ personal religious beliefs drove the same-sex marriage battle during the 2015 Texas legislative session.
Posted in
State Government
God & Governing: Life
Check out “God & Life” — part 3 of our “God & Governing” documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers’ personal faith guides the abortion fight in the Texas Legislature.
Posted in
State Government
Patrick Puts Religious Liberty, Ethics on Senate To-Do List
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday began to detail interim charges for the Texas Senate, signaling he would like members to revisit some unfinished business from the most recent legislative session.
Posted in
State Government
God & Governing: Guns
Tune in to “God & Guns” — part 2 of our “God & Governing” documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers’ religious beliefs played into the gun rights debate during the 2015 Texas Legislature.
Posted in
Politics
Video: God & Governing at the LBJ Presidential Library
Watch Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw interview state Reps. David Simpson, R-Longview; Donna Howard, D-Austin; James White, R-Woodville; and Celia Israel, D-Austin on the role faith plays in the legislative process.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: The Future of Criminal Justice Policy
On 10/6, I talked about the future of criminal justice policy in Texas with Derek Cohen of the Center for Effective Justice; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; Douglas Smith of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition; and State Rep. James White, R-Woodville.
Posted in
State Government
God & Governing: How Faith Guides the Texas Legislature
In the 2015 Texas legislative session, state lawmakers weren’t shy about using their religious beliefs to defend their policymaking. Check out “God & Governing,” our documentary series on the role lawmakers’ personal faith played in their legislating.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: The Hard Way to Win a Speaker’s Race
Anti-establishment Republicans have tried three times to knock House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, out of the top job. Now they’re entering an election season nearly five dozen votes short of what they need.