A federal grand jury handed state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, two indictments Tuesday: one for his involvement in a now-bankrupt company accused of misleading investors and another for alleged bribery surrounding a government contract.
85th Legislative Session
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Criminal Justice
Despite Bland family’s complaints, House unlikely to beef up Sandra Bland Act
The House sponsor of the Senate’s Sandra Bland Act won’t try to change the bill’s language, after key provisions were taken out in the upper chamber.
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Criminal Justice
Bill to reduce handgun license fee in Texas reaches Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
The proposal, Senate Bill 16 by state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, would reduce the first-time fee for a license to carry from $140 to $40 and the annual renewal fee from $70 to $40.
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Demographics
List of local governments planning to fight Texas over “sanctuary” bill growing
Leaders from El Paso County and the cities of Dallas and Austin plan to move forward with resolutions or litigation against Senate Bill 4, the state’s controversial immigration law, as soon as this week, according to local officials.
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Politics
Straus to Patrick: Pass two bills, avoid a special session of the Texas Legislature
Texas lawmakers can avoid a special session if the House and Senate can pass two bills, House Speaker Joe Straus said in an unusual letter sent late Monday to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
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Criminal Justice
Gov. Greg Abbott: “Sanctuary” law won’t open the door for racial profiling
Following the signing of a controversial “sanctuary cities” ban last week, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday the law would not open the door for people to get “pulled over and detained.”
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Criminal Justice
Texas House passes bill to outfit officers with bulletproof vests
Senate Bill 12, by state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, would create and fund a bulletproof vest grant program to outfit approximately 50,000 officers with vests that can withstand rounds from high-caliber firearms.
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Public Education
House education panel gets heated debating alternative graduation route
A House Public Education Committee hearing became heated Tuesday when Chairman Dan Huberty had a harsh exchange with a witness speaking against a bill that would let high school students who fail required state tests graduate, with the approval of a special committee.
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Criminal Justice
Bill criminalizing celebratory gunfire on life support in House
House Bill 2583 would charge anyone who shoots a gun without an intended target with a Class A misdemeanor — or a first-degree felony if a serious bodily injury or death occurs as a result.
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Demographics
Advocates call for more “sanctuary congregations” ahead of new Texas law
Before Senate Bill 4, a far-reaching immigration law, goes into effect on Sept. 1, opponents are mobilizing across Texas, including those hoping to see more Texas churches offer “sanctuary” to the undocumented.
