State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Texas Lottery Scandal Widens: Ticket Reseller Executives Enter Pleas in Fraud Case
According to testimony, the Texas-based company was one of the first reseller operations recruited to the state by the Texas Lottery.
‘Jocelyn’s Law’ Stalled in Texas House as Democrats Withhold Support
A proposed constitutional amendment to require judges to deny bail to individuals accused of violent felonies if they had previously been convicted appears to be stuck.
House Greenlights $1.5 Billion in Film Subsidies
Originally slated at up to $500 million per biennium for ten years, an amendment was added to cap the program’s cost at $300 million per biennium.
UT-Austin Promotes Abortion
The Law School and College of Liberal Arts are the worst offenders.
State Archive
Texas to Crack Down on Human Trafficking, as Biden Administration Loosens Border Security
On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced an expansion in the Operation Lone Star mission objectives to include cracking down on human trafficking-related to illegal border crossings. Abbott indicated that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as well as the...
Bills Filed to Protect Family’s Rights in CPS Investigations
State Representative Jeff Cason (R-Bedford) filed three CPS bills which would recognize “Miranda Rights” in non-emergency Child Protective Services investigations. It would also increase evidential requirements for CPS to deny returning a child to their home. HB 2298...
Peacock: The Texas Legislature Should Give Texans Their Money Back
The feud between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott has a new participant; Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan. On Monday, the Texas Senate did what few have ever witnessed: introducing, referring, hearing, and passing a bill on the same day. The bill...
Last Public Utility Commissioner Resigns, After Winter Storm
The chairman and last remaining member of the Public Utility Commission, Arthur D’Andrea, has been forced to resign in the wake of the winter storms last month that have put the commission under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the...
Tensions Escalate as Phelan and Patrick Battle Over Electrical Price Fix
A battle is continuing to heat up in the Texas Capitol over legislative efforts to address high electrical pricing during February’s winter storm, and it has the two chambers of the State Legislature at odds. On one side is Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and the Texas Senate....
Asset Forfeiture Reform Centerstage in House Committee Hearing
On Monday, the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met and heard four bills addressing asset forfeiture, including State Rep. Matt Schaefer’s (R–Tyler) House Bill 1441 requiring the state’s burden of proof in asset forfeiture. “Private property rights are essential...
Lawmaker Pushes for ‘Victims of Communism Day’
On Monday afternoon, State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress) laid out House Bill 1057, a bill he authored "in memory of the more than 100 million people who died and countless others who suffered under communist regimes." The proposed legislation would make November 7...
Reform Protecting ‘Non-Offending Parents’ From CPS Moves Forward
A bill that would protect “non-offending parents” from having their children removed by Child Protective Services—and, subsequently, force CPS to place children with family if removal is warranted—has moved closer to a vote in the Texas House. Meanwhile, two other...
Public Education Committee Set to Legislate Feelings in Schools
On Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee will hear witness testimony on numerous bills, two of which will tackle similar topics: diversity, equity, and defining hate speech. Are these topics needed, or are these legislators trying to be current and "with the...