State
Texas Launches Probe Into 15 Companies Over Use of Children’s Data
The investigation follows a federal lawsuit recently filed against Character.AI accusing its chatbots of explicit and violent suggestions.
One of 40: Texas Electors Prepare to Cast Votes for Trump
Two Texas presidential electors share backgrounds, expectations, and insights.
With Dustin Burrows Flailing, New Names Emerge in Speaker Battle
Sources say the three names most often mentioned as potential replacement candidates are State Reps. Ryan Guillen, Greg Bonnen, and Todd Hunter.
New Measure Would Ban Sale of Obscene Devices in Family-friendly Stores
The law would only allow the sale of sex toys in “sexually oriented businesses.”
State Archive
Senate Floats Tax Increase to Fund School Spending Spree
For months the state’s elected leaders have been touting a plan to overhaul the state’s school finance system. However, so far what lawmakers have proposed largely doubles down on the broken portions of the system—including Robin Hood. And in order to pay for what’s...
Challengers Seek to Reform Magnolia Independent School District
For the first time since 2015, Magnolia ISD will have a contested election for their school board. Three incumbents defending the status quo of bigger government and more spending are up for re-election, and all three face challengers promising reform.For...
Texas House Votes to Kick Can on Real Reform to Teacher Retirement System
On Thursday, the Texas House voted to kick the can down the road and continue providing funding increases to the broken Teachers Retirement System without adding any substantive structural changes. Senate Bill 12, which increases the state’s contribution to TRS in...
Paxton Announces Arrest of RGV Mayor, Wife for Illegal Voting Scheme
In a stunning announcement Thursday morning, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the Election Fraud Unit of his office had arrested the mayor of Edinburg and his wife for allegedly orchestrating an illegal voting scheme. Mayor Richard Molina and his wife,...
Senate Moves to Close Legislature-to-Lobby Revolving Door
The revolving door between lobbyists and legislators may be harder to swing through if legislation passed unanimously by the Texas Senate on Wednesday makes it to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 13 by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) implements several new...
Texas House Delays Property Tax Reform…Yet Again
On April 11, the Texas House was scheduled to hear omnibus property tax reform legislation. Bill author State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) delayed the legislation over the weekend to Monday, April 15. On Monday, April 15, while the Texas Senate passed similar...
DNA First, Due Process Later
NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information since it was initially published. Nearly two-thirds of the members of the Texas House believe government should have the ability to take your DNA and input it in a criminal database before you’re...
Poll: 66% of Texans Want Much Bigger Say on Property Tax Burden
While the Texas House has yet to take up serious property tax reform, Texans want far more say in how much their tax burden rises. A new poll shows 66 percent of Texans think voters should have much tighter control over property tax burdens. When asked at what point...
Will the Texas House Water Down Property Tax Reform?
Wednesday the Texas House is scheduled to begin debate on the issue most important to Texans—property tax reform. Unless, of course, House leaders decide to delay it again, as they’ve already done twice previously. But let’s assume for a moment that lawmakers don’t...