85th Legislative Session Archives - Page 26 of 83

Texas would be the first southern state to provide tax exemptions on female hygiene products related to menstrual cycles.

Bills exempting tampons from Texas sales tax went nowhere this session

By Jackie WangMay 24, 2017

Despite state lawmakers filing several bills exempting tampons and other menstrual products from sales taxes, the measures didn’t draw serious attention from the legislature this session.

State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, leads a discussion on House Bill 501, an ethics bill, on May 3, 2017. The bill passed, 147-0.

Politics

Analysis: Killing Texas ethics legislation without leaving fingerprints

By Ross RamseyMay 24, 2017

It’s hard to get tougher ethics laws for politicians and officeholders through the Texas Legislature. It can be even harder to figure out exactly who killed them.

People interested in the convention of states process listened to Gov. Greg Abbott speak on Texans' role at the state Capitol on Dec. 6, 2016.

State Government

Conference committee approves convention of states-related measure

By Cassandra PollockMay 23, 2017May 23, 2017

A Texas legislative committee reinstalled a Senate provision in a bill that would only allow state lawmakers to serve as delegates in a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Inmates in the Harris County Jail in 2011.

Criminal Justice

House votes to end jail time for being too poor to pay fines

By Johnathan SilverMay 23, 2017

Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs.

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, asks questions about Senate Bill 5, the voter ID bill, which has been declared an emergency item by Gov. Abbott, on May 23, 2017.

Politics

Texas House backs voter ID overhaul, with changes

By Jim MalewitzMay 23, 2017May 23, 2017

The 95-54 vote followed a six-hour debate that saw fierce pushback from Democrats, who argued the legislation wouldn’t go far enough to expand ballot access and might discourage some Texans from going to the polls.

Wyatt McDaniel died in an accident while playing in a sand pile with his little brother on Jan. 25, 2013. His mother, Lara McDaniel, was not able to view his body until after his autopsy and is advocating for Texas lawmakers to adopt "Wyatt's Law."

Criminal Justice

Grieving mom “humbled” and “relieved” after Senate passes autopsy bill

By Sanya MansoorMay 23, 2017

Lara McDaniel was devastated when her 7-year-old son died in an accident. An investigator didn’t allow her to see her child’s body until three days after his death — after an autopsy had been conducted.

Gov. Greg Abbott speaking on Sept. 19 at a conference hosted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Workforce Commission.

State Government

Dozens of Abbott appointees surpass donor threshold targeted by stalled “pay for play” bill

By Jolie McCulloughMay 23, 2017

At least 71 of Gov. Greg Abbott’s nearly 800 current state board and commission appointees appeared to have donated more than $2,500 to the governor’s campaign account since 2013.

A father holds his child in a public health clinic outside of McAllen, Texas.

Health care

Senate passes religious protections for child welfare agencies

By Marissa EvansMay 21, 2017May 23, 2017

Texas state senators voted to allow child welfare providers to be protected from legal retaliation if they assert their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”