The Texas Senate, hoping to resurrect its versions of bathroom and property tax proposals dear to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, grafted both of them onto unrelated county affairs legislation early Wednesday morning.
Dan Patrick
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A legislative session ending on the lieutenant governor’s terms
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has put the clock to his advantage. With a week to go in the regular legislative session, his threat of pushing lawmakers into overtime if he doesn’t get his way on pet issues is paying off.
Posted inState Government
Abbott signs bill protecting sermons from subpoenas
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law legislation shielding pastors’ sermons from government subpoena power.
Posted in
State Government
Abbott, Patrick: More work needed as special session threat looms
Gov. Greg Abbott says he’s optimistic that lawmakers can avoid a special session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants the “bathroom bill” passed or he’ll keep pushing for one.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Property tax relief doesn’t equal extra money in your pocket
There’s a simple test to tell you whether the promise of a tax cut is really a tax cut: Is there money in your hand?
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Politics
Patrick threatens to force special session over tax, bathroom bills
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened to push for a special legislative session to pass bills to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans and set new thresholds for when cities and counties must get voter approval for tax rates.
Posted in
TribCast
A special session on the horizon? (podcast)
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Aman and Jim about the House-Senate end-of-session fireworks, Ag Commissioner Sid Miller’s recordings on hog poison and Sen. John Cornyn’s decision to bow out of consideration for FBI director.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Patrick takes hostages — and control of legislative session
Amid rumors of a special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put out a short list of bills he wants the House to pass if he’s going to let the Senate advance must-pass legislation. And he appears to have the upper hand in the last days of the session.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: The eyes of Texas reveal a legislative opening for social conservatives
In a legislative process where so many issues die quietly in committees and parliamentary actions, making politicians attach their names to their positions can be a powerful thing. The “sanctuary cities” bill tested that theory.
