Urban Democrats said they opposed the bill because it didn’t allow planning regulations for land around military bases. They feared that could lead to development that interferes with the installations’ operations.
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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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Public Education
Legislature unanimously approves last-minute overhaul of school A-F ratings
The Senate and House negotiated a compromise on how to tweak a statewide plan for grading schools and districts. Educators and advocates are asking why the overhaul happened so late, without their official input.
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Politics
Legislature approves bill requiring disclosure of government contracts
Politicians who make money off government contracts will have to disclose the work under a bill that got final approval in the Legislature Sunday.
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Health care
Child welfare overhaul bills await Abbott’s signature
Texas legislators cast final votes Sunday evening on a pair of bills overhauling how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services works with and finds homes for abused and neglected children.
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State Government
Measures targeting sexual assault on college campuses get legislative approval
Both the Texas House and Senate approved two measures to combat sexual assault on college campuses.
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Criminal Justice
Bill to end jail time for those too poor to pay fines heads to Texas governor
The bill would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs.
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State Government
Short-term rental measure likely dead after conference committee action
A conference committee Saturday voted to strip an amendment that would have blocked cities from regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb, all but killing the measure with less than two days left in the legislative session.
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Politics
House, Senate OK compromise on bill to soften voter ID law
The House and Senate have approved a compromise on voter ID legislation, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
