Meanwhile in the Panhandle, Republicans were less excited that Burrows won the speaker contest thanks largely to Democrats.
Tom Craddick
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2023
Bills advance to close loophole allowing some lawmakers to increase their pay to $140,000
Two bills that advanced in House and Senate committees on Wednesday both exempt any lawmaker who has already taken advantage of the benefit.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2023
Why three longtime Texas lawmakers are now eligible for an extra $140,000 a year
A few of Texas’ most veteran lawmakers may have seen their part-time legislative compensation skyrocket from $7,200 to nearly $150,000 annually, thanks to a law passed quietly at the end of the 2021 legislative session.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: A haunted House story about Texas speakers and redistricting
Texas House speakers come and go. So do redistricting sessions in the Texas Legislature. And maybe — just maybe — there’s a relationship between those two cycles.
Posted inState Government
Eminent domain reform died in the Texas Legislature this session
Despite hundreds of hours of negotiations between Texas landowners and industry groups, legislation to address concerns over the eminent domain process could not be finalized, with lawmakers pledging to make it a top priority for future sessions.
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State Government
Bill to better protect landowners during land condemnations passes Texas House
Although it cut some provisions from the Senate version, the House committee substitute to Senate Bill 421 keeps public meeting requirements and protects against low-ball offers for landowners facing eminent domain actions.
Posted inState Government
Point of Order: The man of the House
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to former Speaker Tom Craddick, the longest-serving lawmaker in state history, about how life and work under the pink dome has changed since he was first elected half a century ago.
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Politics
“Some people play golf. I’m in the Legislature.” Rep. Tom Craddick’s tenure in the Texas House will soon reach 50 years.
Craddick, who is best known for his iron-fisted grip on the gavel during his six years as speaker of the Texas House, has not lost any interest in serving in the Capitol.
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Politics
How a chaotic night in the Texas House paved the way for Speaker Straus
Angry outbursts. Abrupt resignations. A Texas House speaker fleeing his own chamber. While Joe Straus is voluntarily stepping down as speaker, the day many view as pivotal to putting him in that position of power was far less orderly.
Posted in
State Government
Gov. Abbott signs statewide ban on texting while driving
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law a bill that creates a statewide ban on texting while driving.