State news in Texas
State
Democrat Nathan Johnson Launches Bid for Attorney General
Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.
Texas Counties Have Exploited a ‘Disaster Loophole’ to Hike Taxes
A new law going into effect next year could change that.
Chair of Texas Tech Regents Launches ‘Save College Sports’ Initiative
The new effort comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty for college sports.
Bills Begin To Be Filed as Lawmakers Prepare for Special Session
The first 30 House bill numbers remain reserved—held by House leadership for top-priority legislation that has not yet been filed.
State Archive
Texas Senators Approve Increasing Public Participation in Judicial Oversight
Texas senators have passed a constitutional amendment that would increase public membership in the state agency tasked with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct. Senate Joint Resolution 27, filed by State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), was approved 27-4 by...
Officials Continue Investigations Into North Texas Islamic ‘City’
The East Plano Islamic Center’s planned development faces continued scrutiny from Texas officials. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate EPIC for potential religious discrimination. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General...
Coalition Urges Hearing on Retail Decency Act to Shield Children from Explicit Products
A coalition of more than 100 Texas leaders, organizations, and citizens is urging lawmakers to take action on legislation aimed at shielding children from sexually explicit products in public retail environments. In a letter sent to State Rep. Angie Chen Button...
How a Perennial Playoff Failure Is Profiting off the Texas Lottery
In 2014, a year before Gary Grief reportedly tried to legalize sports gambling in the state via the lottery, Jerry Jones came to Austin to hype his corporate partner. During that visit, Jones—whose Dallas Cowboys haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1996—said he’s...
Dallas ISD Agrees To Enforce Ban on Boys in Girls’ Sports
Dallas Independent School District has agreed to comply with Texas law banning biological boys from competing in girls’ sports. Back in February, Attorney General Ken Paxton pressured Dallas ISD to provide proof that it was not violating state laws protecting the...
Texas Senator’s Measure Creates State Watchdog for Foreign Land Purchases
Texas senators are considering a measure that would establish a committee to review certain foreign land purchases in the state. Senate Bill 2117, filed by State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), was taken up Thursday before the Senate Committee on State Affairs....
Texas Could Abolish Public Schools’ Immunity in Sex Abuse Cases
A proposal from a freshman state lawmaker could help Texas families hold school officials accountable in student sexual abuse cases—which are on the rise—by removing schools’ immunity from civil liability. “We have a systemic problem within the state of Texas and our...
Gates of Eagle Pass Park Reopen After One Year of Lockdown
The gates of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass are now open after over a year of lockdown, according to local residents. Lone Star Defenders—which purports to defend people apprehended at the southern border—posted that Shelby Park, which was once a hotspot for illegal...
Texas House Advances Record $337 Billion Budget
In a marathon session that lasted until after 3 a.m., the Texas House moved forward with its version of the state’s biennial budget, marking the largest budget in state history at $337 billion. Despite 393 amendments having been pre-filed on Senate Bill 1 ahead of the...