State
Texas Lottery Commissioners Keep Executive Director, Move Forward Courier Ban
Lottery commissioners did not provide a reason for their decision to keep Ryan Mindell in the executive director role.
Taxpayer-funded Lobbying Org Pays Massive Salaries
Many employees of the Texas Association of School Boards are earning more than the governor of Texas.
Texas Senators Consider Measure to Ban All THC Products
The proposal aims to close loopholes permitting consumable THC products created by a 2019 law legalizing industrial hemp.
House Lawmaker Proposes Measure To Protect From Warrantless Game Warden Searches
The Texas Constitution does not protect open land from government search and seizure.
State Archive
Texas Racing Commission Faces Continued Scrutiny
A state auditor's report released in the summer of 2024 revealed ongoing financial mismanagement at the Texas Racing Commission, an agency already under legislative scrutiny. An audit of the commission's Horse Industry Escrow Account found that over $3 million in...
Report: CCP Infiltration of Texas Cities
A Texas House committee report warned that the Chinese Communist Party is out to influence local public servants. The report’s writers recommended state lawmakers ban relationships between Texas and Chinese local governments but did not include an enforcement...
Legislation Filed to Give Texas Attorney General Additional Prosecutorial Powers
New legislation has been filed in the Texas Senate to give the attorney general additional prosecutorial powers in certain cases. Senate Bill 846 by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineloa) amends the government code to grant the attorney general prosecutorial powers in...
Report: Public Utility Commission Yet To Begin Rulemaking for Energy Reliability Laws
A new report shows that the Public Utility Commission of Texas has not yet initiated the rulemaking process for energy reliability statutes outlined by lawmakers in 2023. The Sunset Advisory Commission compliance report issued this month included an overview of...
Report: Chinese Drones Threaten Texas
In December, state lawmakers recommended a statewide ban on first responders buying China-made drones and suggested using taxpayer money to phase out those currently in service. A specialist testified to Texas lawmakers that Chinese-made drones are a national security...
Texas Challenges Biden’s Parting Ban on Offshore Oil Leases
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit to prevent the “unlawful restriction” of offshore oil drilling Monday morning. The action marks Paxton’s final lawsuit against the Biden administration, with 106 suits filed over the past four years. Earlier this month,...
Legislation Filed to End Tenure at Texas Public Universities
A newly filed measure would prohibit public universities from granting tenure or any type of permanent employment status. However, it would not affect faculty awarded tenure before September 1, 2025. The legislation, House Bill 1830, was filed by State Rep. Matt...
AG Paxton Secures Win Against Deferred Action Policy
Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a win in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed that the Biden administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy is unlawful. Created in 2012 by the Obama administration, DACA provides illegal...
Lt. Gov. Patrick Upholds GOP Priority, Names All Republican Committee Chairs in Senate
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced Texas Senate committee appointments for the 89th Legislature, upholding his promise to not appoint Democrats to chair committees. “No Democrat Chairs” is a legislative priority of the Texas GOP, which maintains that the majority...