Here’s everything you need to know about Senate Bill 4, a controversial immigration enforcement measure banning “sanctuary cities” across Texas.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
Energy
Lawmaker urged Abbott to veto bill legalizing hot air balloon hog hunting
A Republican lawmaker fears a new Texas law that allows the hunting of wild pigs and coyotes from hot air balloons could lead to “future catastrophes” without increased oversight of commercial ballooning.
Posted in
TribCast
New Yorker on Texas, TABC troubles, “perverted little tarts” (podcast)
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Patrick, Jay and Jim about Speaker Joe Straus’ “bathroom bill” comments in the New Yorker, the TABC’s war with Spec’s and a top lobbyist’s eight-year-old comments on young women drinking at Baylor.
Posted in
State Government
Power Trips: Who should regulate access to Texas bathrooms? Give us your take
The Texas Tribune wants to learn more about how the “bathroom bill” debate is affecting people across Texas.
Posted in
Politics
New Yorker’s Lawrence Wright: Here’s what Speaker Straus told me on “bathroom bill”
During an interview on KUT’s Texas Standard, Lawrence Wright talked about his latest piece in The New Yorker, including strong words from House Speaker Joe Straus on the “bathroom bill.”
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: When Austin isn’t the summer getaway lawmakers had in mind
Texas lawmakers will be back in Austin for a special session in just two weeks. They’d rather be elsewhere, on vacation or — in some cases — for much more tactical reasons.
Posted in
Guides
Hey, Texplainer: Why can’t all Texans vote by mail?
Allowing all mail-in votes for elections is legal in 22 states, but not in Texas, where only certain voters can mail in their ballots. The Legislature’s special session will address mail-in ballot fraud but won’t expand mail-in voting.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Some counties question need of special courts for law enforcement
Texas police officers and other first responders who have job-related mental health issues can soon be diverted into pretrial treatment programs if they commit a crime, but many large counties don’t appear interested in creating the new specialty courts.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
School boards, cities sought to stop Gov. Abbott from signing drone bill
Organizations representing hundreds of Texas cities and school boards unsuccessfully urged Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a bill aimed at restricting drone use around the state.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A governor (belatedly) setting the Legislature’s agenda
The regular legislative session belonged to legislative leaders — primarily Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who aggressively set an agenda for the Senate. Now, with a special session looming, Gov. Greg Abbott is asserting himself.
