State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
House Lawmakers Pass Measure Creating Database for School Bond Projects
The proposal would require the Texas Education Agency to publish information on tax increases caused by new school bond projects across the state.
Texas House Approves Property Tax Relief Package, Rejects Effort To Expand Relief Further
If approved by voters, the package would increase the homestead exemption to $140,000 for most homeowners.
House Votes To Crack Down on Bail for Violent Criminals
The issue is one of Gov. Abbott’s top priorities for the legislative session.
Attorney General Paxton Announces Investigation Into US Masters Swimming
The investigation comes after Hugo “Ana” Caldas, a male who identifies as a female, took first place in five events at a women’s swim meet in San Antonio.
State Archive
Bonnen Doubles Down on Opposition to Constitutional Carry
The Speaker of the Texas House is doubling down on his opposition to constitutional carry legislation, taking aim at what he calls “fringe gun activists.” In a post to his Facebook page on Sunday evening addressed to his “friends and neighbors,” House Speaker Dennis...
Craft Brewers Cheer Texas House Victory
Free market-loving Texans and craft beer connoisseurs alike may soon have to something to celebrate, as the Texas House has voted to allow craft breweries to sell beer-to-go—a major victory for the craft beer industry in Texas. Currently, Texas is the only state that...
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...