Texas has a history of being a predominately red state, but Jeffrey Payne wants to change that. That’s why the Dallas Democrat is running for governor against one of the most popular and well-funded incumbents in recent memory.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: In special session, Texas Senate’s the hare, House is the tortoise
This summer’s special session is a little like this spring’s regular session, only in miniature. The Senate has big plans and is in a hurry. The House? Not so much.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Senate panel targets mail-in ballot fraud after high-profile case
A bill that largely relies on increased penalties to crack down on mail-in ballot fraud is headed to the Senate floor. Its movement is a new path for lawmakers who previously focused on rare in-person voter fraud.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Senate panel approves teacher bonuses, retirement benefits
The Texas Senate Finance Committee approved a bill Saturday that would put one-time influxes of money toward the Teacher Retirement System and teacher bonuses, and require districts to fund $1,000 in teacher pay raises.
Posted in
State Government
Despite losing bathroom bill fight, a transgender girl gets her two minutes
They were unlikely to sway a committee of Republicans considering bathroom restrictions for transgender Texans, but a transgender 7-year-old and her mother waited for their two minutes.
Posted in
Politics
Senate committee passes ‘bathroom bill’ after 10 hours of testimony
For the third time this year, state lawmakers on Friday held a marathon hearing on measures to restrict bathroom use for transgender Texans.
Posted in
Public Education
Senate committee passes bills on private school choice and school finance study
The Texas Senate Education Committee passed a bill that would create a “private school choice” program to subsidize private school tuition for kids with special needs, and a bill to study the school finance system.
Posted in
State Government
Bill limiting city, county spending fuels war over local control
When state senators revive legislation on Saturday that could require voter approval of city and county property tax rates, lawmakers will also consider something new: limiting how much money local governments spend.
Posted in
State Government
Source of Senate’s speed in special session? “Pizza and soda pop” (video)
Donning an apron, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick offered senators dinner for coming back in the early morning hours Thursday to vote out two special session bills that would extend the life of five state agencies.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A legislative body in motion can do whatever it wants
A Texas governor can tell lawmakers what subjects to work on in a special session but can’t tell them exactly what to do. The session that started this week is now in the hands of the Texas Legislature — not the governor.
