Under a Senate-backed proposal, county clerks with religious objections to same-sex marriages can recuse themselves from signing marriage licenses.
Texas Legislature
Posted in
Economy
Senate panel considers requiring rest breaks for Texas construction workers
A Texas Senate panel considered legislation Tuesday that would require construction companies to give workers mandatory rest breaks — an effort to prevent illnesses and deaths from the sweltering Texas heat.
Posted in
Health care
Texas lawmakers seek to ensure no state funds reach abortion providers
An amendment to ban abortion providers from receiving any funds from the state budget passed in the House, but it’s unclear how effective it would be in fully defunding groups like Planned Parenthood.
Posted in
Higher Education
Has the Top 10 Percent Rule impacted diversity at UT-Austin? It’s complicated.
It’s hard to know exactly how the Top 10 Percent Rule has impacted diversity at UT-Austin, but data suggests it does boost the school’s Hispanic population right now.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
“David’s Law” would criminalize cyberbullying, mandate school policies
A Texas senator wants to criminalize cyberbullying when it leads to a minor’s serious injury or suicide. Critics of the bill say prevention is more effective than punishment.
Posted in
Higher Education
Hazlewood plan would leave benefits for current veterans untouched
Colleges are asking the state to pare back the state program that offers free tuition to veterans or their children. But key lawmakers in the Texas House don’t want to mess with what’s being offered to current veterans and their families.
Posted in
State Government
Senate backs bill requiring minors obtain parental consent before joining unions
Minors in the state may be required to obtain parental approval before they can join a labor union under a proposal the Texas Senate tentatively approved along party lines Monday.
Posted in
State Government
Bill penalizing celebratory gunfire up for debate in House panel
The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee heard testimony for a bill Monday that would penalize people for discharging a firearm without an intended target.
Posted in
State Government
Texas lawmakers consider election law change for language interpreters
Texas lawmakers on Monday considered changes to the state’s election code regarding language interpreters for voters who are not proficient in English, three years after a voter’s son was blocked from helping her cast a ballot.
Posted in
Health care
House lawmakers take a stab at funding for trafficking victims
A Texas House member’s proposal would cut $3 million from Gov. Greg Abbott’s homeland security budget and give it to victims of human trafficking.