Full video of Evan Smith’s 3/31 conversation with state Reps. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and James White, R-Hillister.
Texas Legislature
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: In Texas, principles matter, but exceptions may apply
Things almost never come out of the Texas Legislature — if they come out at all — in the same shape they went in. Principles give way to exceptions and compromise, and the final product can differ greatly from the original idea.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Republicans defend “bathroom bill” as North Carolina tweaks its law
As North Carolina lawmakers voted Thursday to revise that state’s “bathroom bill,” Texas Republicans pushing a similar measure said they are not backing away from their proposal.
Posted in
State Government
Despite concerns, Texas legislators push to regulate powdered alcohol
Concerns about powdered alcohol have led 34 states to ban or considering banning it. However, both the House and Senate are considering legislation that would regulate the product in Texas.
Posted in
Health care
House panel hears testimony on child welfare religious liberty bill
House State Affairs Committee members heard testimony Wednesday afternoon on House Bill 3859, which would allow faith-based organizations to exercise their “sincerely held religious beliefs” when participating as providers in Texas’ child welfare system.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Senate tentatively approves fetal remains bill
The Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill that would change how health providers in the state handle fetal tissue Wednesday.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Senate backs bill that would end most union payroll deductions
The Texas Senate tentatively approved a measure that would end the state’s practice of collecting public employee membership dues for certain labor unions and other associations through payroll organizations.
Posted in
State Government
Senate bill would let Houston voters weigh in on fix to pension crisis
The Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill Wednesday that Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Texas Tribune could unravel the city’s hard-fought plan to curb a growing pension crisis.
Posted in
State Government
House panel hears bills for open carry without permit
Two measures that would make it easier for Texans to access guns were up for consideration by the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
Posted in
Politics
Bills to plug public information “loopholes” breeze through Senate
The legislation pushes back against two 2015 Texas Supreme Court rulings that have enabled private companies involved with government contracts to keep parts of those contracts secret.
