State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials.
Charlie Geren
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Masks required, COVID-19 tests encouraged for opening day in the Texas House next month
The House will limit attendance for what is typically a crowded day at the Capitol when family and friends attend the opening ceremonies.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
How Texas lawmakers are navigating the personal and professional during coronavirus pandemic
Legislators are fielding calls about unemployment claims and small-business loans as they juggle steering their own businesses and careers through the disaster.
Posted in
Politics
Advocates say lawmakers largely exempted themselves from Texas’ public records law, prompting calls for a veto
Critics say a bill awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature would mark an expansion of lawmakers’ ability to wall off their records from public scrutiny.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House approves property tax reform bill, setting up negotiations with the Senate
The House approved the bill designed to slow local property tax revenue growth, but made the bill contingent on the passage of a school finance bill, which is still pending in the Senate.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Conservative group Empower Texans sues lawmaker to gain state House media credentials
The group, which was granted credentials in the Senate but denied them in the House, argues that the lower chamber’s administration chairman engaged in “unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.”
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Need money for property tax cuts? Ask voters first
Texas legislators are filing more property tax bills — several of which would require approval from voters. Among other things, that could shift any blame for new taxes away from lawmakers.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Court dismisses Empower Texans’ lawsuit
Empower Texans was not able to demonstrate a credible fear of prosecution stemming from tactics it used in a closely watched Texas House race, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Leaving Texas voters to decide what’s fact and what’s fiction
Even when the content of a political message is factual, the appearance of it can be deceitful, dumb or just plain risky. This year’s Republican primaries are chock full of examples.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
A Texas House candidate mocked a sheriff on social media. Did he violate the law?
Bo French says the “Thief Bill Waybourn” Facebook page he created to mock Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn was merely satire. Three law enforcement groups are calling it a “scandalous crime.”
