The national Episcopal Church is urging Texas House Speaker Joe Straus to remain “steadfast” in his opposition to legislation to restrict bathroom use for transgender Texans.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
Public Education
Abbott adds school finance, retired teacher benefits to special session
In what seems to be an overture to the House, Gov. Greg Abbott added two new education-related issues to his special session call Thursday: school finance reform and increased benefits for retired teachers.
Posted in
Politics
Senate gives OK to must-pass “sunset” legislation in midnight vote
A fast-moving Senate gave approval to critical “sunset legislation” after midnight Thursday, using two bills to extend the life of five state agencies held political hostage at the end of the regular legislative session.
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Power Trips
Here’s what Texans said about the Texas Legislature regulating bathrooms
Here’s a look at the state-vs.-local fight over bathroom regulations, the legislative debate on the issue and how some Texans feel about the proposed measures.
Posted in
Politics
At the Texas Capitol, bathroom bill debate revs back up
Both proponents and opponents of a Texas “bathroom bill” are steeling themselves once again as a special session kicks off in which Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to add the hot-button issue to the agenda.
Posted in
Guides
Hey, Texplainer: What will the special session cost taxpayers?
The special session starting Tuesday is expected to be the costliest to date. But as government spending goes, a special session is actually pretty cheap.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas teachers voice opposition to education-heavy special session
The day before the start of this summer’s special legislative session, educator groups rallied at the Texas Capitol, demanding more state resources and fewer unfunded mandates.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Democrats lay out their own special session priorities
Democrats in the Texas Legislature outlined their priorities for the upcoming special legislative session on Monday, focusing on several issues that did not appear on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the session.
Posted in
Politics
IBM ups the ante in fight against Texas bathroom bill
As Texas lawmakers reconvene for a special legislative session, IBM and other major companies are re-upping their opposition to legislation they say would discriminate against transgender children and harm its Texas recruiting efforts.
Posted in
State Government
Abbott builds $41 million war chest with eye on re-election, special session
Gov. Greg Abbott has a nearly $41 million war chest heading into his re-election campaign — and a special session in which he’s looking to keep political pressure on lawmakers to pass an ambitious 20-item agenda.
