House Republicans successfully added gender-defining language to a bill that would regulate companies like Uber and Lyft. That’s among the news in this week’s Texas Political Roundup.
Transportation
Reporting on roads, transit, infrastructure, and policy shaping travel and mobility across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
State Government
House Democrats disavow ride-hailing bill after addition of “sex” amendment
A group of House members removed their names as co-authors of a bill that would regulate ride-hailing companies because of an amendment that defines “sex” as the “physical condition of being male or female.”
Posted in
Economy
Austin group aims to reframe debates around city’s growth, development
Evolve Austin, a nonprofit that advocates for denser development and more affordable housing, is aligning with some high-profile real estate and business groups to push for changes to how Austin regulates land use.
Posted in
Politics
Bills aimed at controversial Dallas-Houston bullet train sail out of Senate committee
Five bills approved by the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday would impact or hinder a private company’s plans to build a bullet train from Dallas to Houston.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Outlook good for statewide texting-while-driving ban, key lawmakers say
Key lawmakers are optimistic about the passage of a bill that would ban texting-and-driving across Texas, despite failed attempts over the last few sessions.
Posted in
Public Education
Analysis: Is this Texas state budget trick constitutional?
The Texas Senate is proposing a new accounting trick to balance its 2018-19 budget. The contrivance would work, mathematically speaking, but it raises constitutional questions and faces derision from the House.
Posted in
Politics
Texas bullet train firm calls provision added to budget a “job killer”
Officials with Texas Central Partners, the private firm developing the Houston-Dallas high-speed rail line, said the rider added to the state senate’s proposed budget Wednesday would put their project at risk.
Posted in
Transportation
Senate panel considers bills that would draw Uber and Lyft back to Austin
A Senate committee heard testimony on three bills that would override local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies.
Posted in
Transportation
Watch a hearing on bills aimed at drawing Uber and Lyft back to Austin
A Senate committee is scheduled to take up three bills Tuesday aimed at overriding local regulation of ride-hailing companies that prompted Uber and Lyft to leave Austin and other Texas cities last year.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Mayors say Texas, U.S. politics increasingly undermine city needs
A major source of division among cities and state officials is differing opinions on what local control means — and to whom it provides the power to govern.
