State
House Leadership Attacks Lawmaker After Exposing Obstruction in Austin
State Rep. Brian Harrison has ramped up calls for a ban on COVID vaccine mandates in Texas, angering some in House leadership.
Federal Judge to Block New Law Keeping Explicit Materials Out of Texas Schools
The Republican Party of Texas expects the acting attorney general to appeal the ruling.
Federal Judge Allows Sexually Explicit Shows Targeting Kids to Continue
The judge claims a new law protecting children will violate the First Amendment.
Nearly 800 New Laws Go Into Effect in Texas
Some high-profile legislation remains tied up in legal battles.
State Archive
Geren’s Back Room Deal Expands Eminent Domain
Regardless of one’s ideological leanings, Texans deserve legislators who conduct themselves with the integrity their duty requires. Straus-lieutenant, Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), has proven time and again that he’s either incapable or unwilling to do so....
Cutting Taxes And Reforming Budgets
Including $4 billion in tax cuts and a needed re-prioritization of spending, State Sen. Jane Nelson released the blueprint from which the Senate Finance Committee -- which she chairs -- will draft the state budget. The Flower Mound Republican presented her plan in the...
Transportation Reform: Fiscal Responsibility First
Predictably, the Austin establishment is calling for higher taxes, rainy-day raids and further expansion of "regionally managed” toll lanes as a means to finance roadway expansion. But before Texans allow more money to be indiscriminately thrown at transportation, the...
Aycock Attacks School Choice
It took less than a week, but lawmakers in the Texas House are already lining up against Texas parents and their children’s education. Thursday, presumptive House Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock took a break from attacking grassroots conservatives on...
Patrick Releases Committee Assignments
Texas State Senators will be able to get to work quickly when they return on Monday after action by their new presiding officer. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ended his first week in his new office by releasing his Senate committee assignments. In assigning the positions,...
UT Gets ‘Common Core’ Regent
Coming out of the gate with appointments, the team advising Gov. Greg Abbott seems to have made an initial early misstep by appointing an advocate of “common core” to the University of Texas board of regents. This is most surprising, given the strong stance Abbott has...
Senate Two-Thirds Rule Reformed As Promised
Conservatives around the Lone Star State rejoiced Wednesday afternoon when the Texas Senate did away with the long reviled two-thirds rule by a vote of 20–10*, with Sen. Craig Estes voting “present, not voting." A united Republican caucus joined by lone Democrat Sen....
Abbott Takes the Reins of Texas
For the first time in 14 years, Texans will have a new leader in the Governor’s mansion. Taking over from longtime Governor Rick Perry, Greg Abbott was sworn in Tuesday morning before throngs of Texans on the south steps of the Capitol with a Texas-sized dose of pomp...
Patrick Takes Position as Lieutenant Governor
Texas began its changing of the guard this morning as Dan Patrick was sworn in as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of the Lone Star State. Receiving the oath of office from his son, a state district judge from Houston, Patrick will take the position alongside Gov. Greg...