State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Narcotics Dog’s Nose in Car Window Triggers Bill of Rights Discussion
A case in which a narcotics dog stuck its nose through a car’s open window has sparked discussion about Fourth Amendment rights.
With Clock Ticking, Texas House Faces Pileup of Legislation After Slow Start
Early in the session, the House took frequent long weekends and delayed committee activity, a pace that has now come back to haunt the chamber as the deadline looms.
Plan To Protect Kids From Sexual Content in Public Libraries Passes House
Time is running short for the Texas GOP priority to pass the Senate and go to the governor.
Texas House Rejects Mexican Guest Worker Program
9 Republicans joined Democrats in an attempt to create the guest worker program.
State Archive
Cruz and Cornyn Join Texas Senate Republicans in Demanding Border Security
After officially recognizing the emergency crisis along the southern border, Texas Senate Republicans stood side by side with U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz in demanding Congress fully fund border security. Saying the Texas Senate was “willing to state the...
Can a Sales Tax Increase Pass the Texas Senate?
In an interview with a West Texas radio show host Tuesday morning, the chairman of the Texas Senate Republican Caucus, State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (Houston), cast significant shade on a recent proposal by state leaders to increase the state’s sales tax. “I don’t...
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Approved in Senate
Legislation to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying is one step closer to the governor’s desk after passing the Texas Senate on its second reading Tuesday. A long-standing practice in the halls of the Texas Capitol, taxpayer-funded lobbying refers to cities, counties, and...
Shine Seeks Secret Coordination Between Speech Regulators and Law Enforcement
A bill under consideration by the Texas House State Affairs Committee would empower the state’s speech regulators to work in secret with police, a result that has been disastrous in other states. HB 3534 by State Rep. Hugh Shine (R–Temple) would allow staff at the...
Senate Passes Priority Election Security Bill
The Texas Senate on Monday, after consideration of 14 floor amendments, passed out Senate Bill 9, the upper chamber’s priority legislation addressing voter fraud from ballot by mail. The legislation, authored by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola), reached the Senate...
Property Tax Reform Legislation Passes Senate, Delayed Again in House
After a months-long standoff, legislation to allow taxpayers to have a say on property tax increases has passed in the Texas Senate, with every Democrat member and Republican State Sen. Kel Seliger (Amarillo) opposing the measure. Senate Bill 2, filed by State Sen....
Two Republicans Help Advance Democrat Election Fraud Bill
The Texas House Committee on Elections has been working this session to improve Texas laws dealing with voter fraud and ballot integrity. However, unlike most of the bills the Republican-majority committee has advanced, last Monday the members of the committee...
Backdoor Slots on the Move in the Texas House
Slot machines are the ultimate prize for Texas gambling outlets, called the “crack cocaine of gambling” by one national commission. Like Texas Horse Racing Tracks, bingo halls have also tried to morph Texas laws to allow them to install slot machines in Texas...
Bonnen Walks out on GOP Dinner
On Tuesday night, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen was scheduled to speak along with Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and other Republican statewide elected officials. He never delivered his remarks. Bonnen was seen at a reception preceding the Texas Republican...