Gov. Greg Abbott signed the state’s next two-year budget Monday, but vetoed tens of millions of dollars in funding for various programs, including measures meant to improve the region’s air quality and assist impoverished border communities.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
State Government
What to expect in a special session
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling lawmakers back for a special session of the Legislature to address some key issues that failed to pass during the regular session. Watch how the session will work in a condensed time frame.
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Politics
Abbott “shuttle diplomacy” tested as Straus, Patrick reached impasse
A review of Gov. Greg Abbott’s schedule during May provides a glimpse into the final stretch of the legislative session, where the governor tried in vain to bring together lawmakers to avoid a special session.
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Guides
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott just called a special session. What should you expect?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced he was calling the Legislature back for a special session to address must-pass “sunset” legislation and 19 other measures. Here’s what Texans can expect ahead of July 18.
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State Government
Analysis: Raising money while making laws in Texas special session
A special session of the Texas Legislature reveals a hole in the state’s ethics laws, allowing elected officials in Austin to make laws at the same time they’re raising campaign funds — from the people most interested in those new laws.
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Politics
Why bills to bind Texas’ Electoral College never reached Gov. Abbott
Late last year, after two Texas electors went rogue, top Republicans rallied around bills to “bind” Texas Electoral College members to the result of the statewide popular vote. Those bills never made it to the governor.
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State Government
Here’s what Gov. Greg Abbott has said — or not said — about special session items
Some of the 20 topics Gov. Greg Abbott is asking the Texas Legislature to consider during a special session have been his priorities since his State of the State Address in January. On some of the other topics, though, he’s been relatively quiet.
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State Government
Small beer makers say bill creates “extortion fee” as they seek Abbott’s veto
Craft brewers want Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a bill that would put limits on some regulatory relief that benefits them. But supporters, including some major distributors, say the bill is needed to stop big beer companies that gobble up independent craft brewers from taking advantage of relaxed regulations.
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Criminal Justice
State Rep. Victoria Neave arrested for DWI in Dallas
State Rep. Victoria Neave was arrested by Dallas police for allegedly driving while intoxicated overnight. She remained in jail Wednesday morning.
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Demographics
Lawyers convention leaves Texas over state’s new immigration law
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is relocating its 2018 convention from Texas due to the state’s new immigration law. About 3,000 people were expected to attend the event.
