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.
Joe Straus
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State Government
Uncertainty, deep tension mark the end of the 85th regular session
The 85th legislative session came to a close Monday amid uncertainty over whether Gov. Greg Abbott would call lawmakers back for overtime. Tensions ran high up until the session’s end.
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Politics
Analysis: The Texas Legislature blows its deadline
The state’s top leaders couldn’t close a session-ending deal over the final weekend, giving advocates of bathroom and property tax legislation — if the governor allows it — another chance.
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State Government
House, Senate accuse each other of inaction on critical legislation
House members accused the Senate of playing games with Texans’ health and safety by holding out on legislation that would keep state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, in existence.
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Politics
Lawmakers teeter on the brink of special session
As of Sunday night, lawmakers still had little to show for two assignments Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had given them in the home stretch: property tax reform and a “bathroom bill” that would regulate which restrooms transgender Texans can use.
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State Government
Political showdown over bathrooms has been years in the making
Well before the current legislative standoff over public accommodations for transgender Texans, the political elements of the “bathroom bill” fight were falling into place.
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Politics
Analysis: Oversized tweets from a Texas trainwreck
It’s the last Saturday of the legislative session — a day combining long, boring periods of inactivity with high levels of drama. In other words: perfect for a wandering mind.
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State Government
Analysis: A test of negotiating skills for the state’s top three leaders
Texans will get a close look at the state’s top leaders over the next three days — the end of the regular legislative session — as they try to unknot their differences over regulating restroom use and limiting local property tax increases.
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Politics
Texas Republicans fear federal oversight as voter ID overhaul stalls
Republicans fear a failure to overhaul strict Texas voter ID rules could torpedo the state’s position in litigation over whether lawmakers discriminated against minority voters.
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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?