On the opening day of the special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick took a step to fast-track two bills reauthorizing the Texas Medical Board and four other state agencies jeopardized by inaction during the regular session.
Dan Patrick
Posted in
Politics
As Abbott launches ambitious special session, ill will flows between Straus, Patrick
The coming weeks will reveal whether the ongoing hostility between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus has paralyzed state policymakers as they take up the 20 items on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda.
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State Government
Analysis: Special session sniping underway before the opening gavels
The Texas Legislature is returning to Austin, but the leaders of the Senate and the House appear to be starting the new session on the same sour notes with which they ended the regular session seven weeks ago.
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Public Education
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rolls out plan to give teachers more money (video)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has a plan to give more money to teachers, as does a prominent Texas businessman. And another Texan is tapped for a position in the Trump administration.
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Criminal Justice
Everything you need to know about Texas’ “sanctuary cities” law
Here’s everything you need to know about Senate Bill 4, a controversial immigration enforcement measure banning “sanctuary cities” across Texas.
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State Government
Analysis: A governor (belatedly) setting the Legislature’s agenda
The regular legislative session belonged to legislative leaders — primarily Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who aggressively set an agenda for the Senate. Now, with a special session looming, Gov. Greg Abbott is asserting himself.
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State Government
Abbott plots aggressive approach to special session
Gov. Greg Abbott is plotting an aggressive approach to the upcoming special session of the Legislature, diverting from his above-the-fray style to try to see through an ambitious 20-item agenda.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
UT/TT Poll: Texas voters grade state’s top elected officials
Gov. Greg Abbott remains Texas voters’ favorite state official, with more voters giving him good grades than bad, and the Republican voters he depends on heaping him with approval they’re not giving to potential rivals, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
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State Government
Analysis: Texas leaders couldn’t agree during the regular session. What’s changed?
Texas lawmakers will return to Austin in a month to take another swing at more than a dozen issues they couldn’t resolve during the regular legislative session. So what has changed?
Posted in
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.
