In dueling press conferences Friday evening, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus revealed themselves at an impasse over bathroom regulations that could prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
Health care
Legislature opts to largely maintain cuts of therapy services for disabled children
The House grudgingly voted to accept the Senate’s supplemental budget proposal, which would not restore funding for disabled children’s therapy services.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers say Driver Responsibility Program repeal unlikely this session
A measure to repeal the widely unpopular program made it out of the House but died before hitting the Senate floor.
Posted inState Government
Liveblog: Scenes from the final days of the 85th legislative session
Now that the House and Senate have adjourned sine die, take a look back at the sights and sounds of the final days of the Texas legislative session. Here’s our live coverage.
Posted in
State Government
Texas lawmakers considered a lot of bills. Can you spot the real ones?
How close have you been paying attention during the 85th Texas Legislative session? Take this quiz to see how well you can distinguish between real bills and fake ones.
Posted in
Politics
Texas governor jokes about shooting reporters after signing gun bill
After signing a bill and testing out a few guns at a shooting range Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott held up his bullet-riddled target sheet and joked, “I’m gonna carry this around in case I see any reporters.”
Posted in
Politics
Mike Floyd’s first job after graduating high school? Helping run a school district
A high school senior reflects on his unlikely victory over an incumbent school board member, and what his generation is bringing to Texas politics.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A test of negotiating skills for the state’s top three leaders
Texans will get a close look at the state’s top leaders over the next three days — the end of the regular legislative session — as they try to unknot their differences over regulating restroom use and limiting local property tax increases.
Posted in
Economy
House, Senate strike deal on “Buy American” iron and steel bill
Senate Bill 1289 by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would require large state projects to purchase iron and steel from an American supplier if the cost doesn’t exceed 20 percent more than the price of cheaper, foreign imports.
Posted in
State Government
Gov. Abbott: There is still time to avoid a special session of the Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday there is still time for a deal to be struck to avert a special session of the Texas Legislature.
