Tony Buzbee, one of the lead attorneys defending Paxton, called the charges “a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
State
Texas Democrat Announces Campaign for Energy-Regulating Railroad Commission
The Texas Democrat Party platform calls for supporting the Green New Deal in Texas.
List of Lawmakers Supporting a Fourth Special Legislative Session Grows
The list currently includes 16 lawmakers from the House and Senate, as well as all of the Republican challengers to Gov. Greg Abbott.
Waller ISD Parents Force School District to Take Action on Pornographic Books
Parents in Waller ISD addressed their school board with quotes from explicit books found in the school libraries and demanded action. The superintendent responded.
Federal Judge Blocks Abbott School Mask Ban
Order blocks state officials from prohibiting mask mandates issued by local schools.
MOST RECENT
Texas Senate Passes ‘Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act’
“Nations like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea CAN NOT be allowed to tie into our critical infrastructure.”
Where Priorities Stand With Nearly 1 Month Left in Session
This is the phase of the legislative session where almost anything can happen—but almost assuredly, very little will.
Lawmakers Fast-Track Legislation Requiring Sexual Harassment Training for Lobbyists
Both bills require the completion of sexual harassment training provided by the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) every two years.
Legislature Moves to Tighten Property Tax Hike Exemptions
Local officials’ greed forced action.
Allegation: Capitol Sex Scandal Spawns Cover-Up
Spouse reportedly threatened by senior lawmaker to keep adultery quiet.
Texas Ag Commissioner Slams House Republican for ‘Holding Up’ Bill to Protect Children From Disfiguring Operations
“One man is standing in the way: that’s your representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock.”
Texas Senate Passes Anti-Riot Bill
Those convicted of rioting would be required to give restitution to property owners for any damage they did.
‘Restorative Discipline’ is Taking Root in Texas Schools
Critics of the policy say restorative discipline divorces consequences from actions.
Abbott Says He’ll Sign Constitutional Carry Bill, If Passed
“This is something that 20 other states have adopted, and it’s time for Texas to adopt it, too.”
Texas Senate Approves Bill to Protect Children From Disfiguring Gender Operations
The proposed law would classify certain permanently scarring procedures as child abuse.
ARCHIVE
House Tax Talk
It may no longer be a question of if the leadership team surrounding House Speaker Joe Straus will move to raise taxes, but when and how much. Just this weekend another Straus lieutenant announced his openness to hiking taxes this year. Hopefully Gov. Rick Perry has a veto pen ready.
Wentworth’s Land Grab
Legislation being offered by Republican State Sen. Jeff Wentworth would create a massive land-grab for schools, forcing developers to sell property at or below market value.
Speaker Vote Will Be On Index
The vote for House Speaker will be included on the Fiscal Responsibility Index, announced the president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility today.
Straus Supporters Are Wrong… Statistically
It seems Speaker Joe Straus’ supporters need a refresher on Statistics. Many of those supporters cite historic GOP gains in Texas’ House as evidence of political effectiveness. That means Mr. Straus should remain Speaker, doesn’t it? Hardly.
Deleting DIR
It’s a safe bet most Texans haven’t heard of the Department of Information Resources. It’s hummed along under the radar for years, generating revenue by selling services to other state agencies. After a scathing Sunset Commission report, State Rep. Byron Cook is ready to shut it down.
Again Lefties Lead with Tax-Hikes
It seems time after time, the left’s go-to solution for budgetary issues is to “increase revenue streams” (ahem) raise taxes. More curious is that these “solutions” keep coming from the leadership team assembled by House Speaker Joe Straus.
Fiscal Index 2011
Preparing for the start of the legislative session, we last week sent lawmakers a letter outlining our priorities and reminding them how our scorecard, the Fiscal Responsibility Index, works. Of more immediate significance, we noted that House members’ first vote could be graded.
Cutting Corporate Welfare
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has it exactly right: “The Texas economy will grow, with or without incentives.” The ‘incentives,’ of course, are government giveaway programs that cost taxpayers a lot without providing much return. It’s time for them to go.
Yoo-hoo, Beverly Woolley…
Endorsing Straus doesn’t make Straus a conservative. It makes you a liberal.
The man you endorsed:
- Was brought to power by the Democrats
- Only has unanimous pledges for Speaker from one party in the House of Representatives: The Democrats. Straus is the Democrats choice.
- Presided over a session wherein roll-rates indicated clear Democratic control
In Defense Of Military Voters
In HD-48, Republican Dan Neil is taking his recount battle to unseat incumbent State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) directly to the Texas Legislature. Travis County officials are now admitting that (some?) straight-ticket overseas ballots were counted for the November election, but only in statewide races.