With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters.
Lois Kolkhorst
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: A rumor of a game of succession in the Texas Senate
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has done his best to knock down rumors he might take a job with the Trump administration. That hasn’t stopped talk about what might happen if he leaves his current job.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes bill defining fantasy sports as legal game of skill
While critics say fantasy sports sites are hubs for illegal online gambling, others contend the games are based on skill and are therefore legitimate.
Posted in
Environment
A creek flowing to the Colorado River turned black. Now the state has sued the alleged polluter.
Residents near Altair began complaining that Skull Creek reeked of chemicals. The Texas attorney general’s office says a local company is to blame.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
State lawmakers aim to lock in funding for Texas parks, historic sites
In 1993, the Legislature passed a law that said state parks and historic sites could receive all of the money generated by a tax on the sale of sporting goods. Since then, state lawmakers have given the parks department only about 40 percent of those collections.
Posted inState Government
Texas Legislature sends another tree bill to Abbott
Days after approving an amended version of a House bill on tree regulations, the Senate voted to reverse itself late Monday night, rolling back two amendments that House Speaker Joe Straus had rejected.
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Health care
Texans with disabilities say bathroom bill could further complicate their lives
When it comes to this summer’s “bathroom bill,” Texans with disabilities say they — like many transgender men and women — believe the Legislature is further complicating something that’s already difficult to navigate.
Posted in
State Government
Texas lawmakers consider declaring fantasy sports legal
In a hearing Monday, Texas lawmakers will weigh whether to proclaim fantasy sports are legal. This comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton equated them to illegal gambling.
Posted in
Politics
In Texas House, uncertain fate of bathroom bill could reverberate
The Texas “bathroom bill” has made it to the House but chamber leaders are hinting that the controversial legislation may never reach the chamber’s floor for a vote.
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Politics
Republicans expected to revise Texas “bathroom bill”
Texas Republicans are expected to offer a new version of the controversial “bathroom bill” on Tuesday with two significant changes, according to a copy of a committee substitute obtained by The Texas Tribune.
