State news in Texas
State
Analysis: Report Exposes Rogue Texas Lottery Commission Leadership
A full criminal investigation of the Texas Lottery is needed.
Legislation Filed To Stop Out-of-state Gender Mutilation of Children
State Sen. Mayes Middleton’s measure would prohibit physicians and healthcare providers from referring children to out-of-state doctors for gender-related surgeries.
Former Russian Mercenary Arrested After Crossing Rio Grande River
Timur Praliev was reportedly carrying a Russian passport, a drone, and cash with him as he crossed the river.
Lawmaker Proposes Strict In-Person Attendance Rules for Higher Education Governing Boards
State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst’s proposal would require members to attend a minimum of 75 percent of board meetings.
State Archive
Audit: Major Events ‘Slush’ Fund
An audit released last Thursday by the Office of State Auditor John Keel details some major accountability problems with the Major Events Trust Fund (METF) from its creation in 2003 to this year. Though not exactly shocking, the audit identified key weaknesses with...
Sheffield: A Democrat Running As A Republican?
State Rep. J.D. Sheffield (R-Stephenville) is being asked by his opponent to run as a Democrat. With the most liberal voting record in the Republican caucus, Sheffield was often voting against conservatives and with the Democrats. His challenger in House District 59’s...
GOPers Gave Democrats Big Vote On Bad Policy
In the waning days of the Texas House’s 2015 calendar, Democrats were given the opportunity to chew up precious time debating a measure (that everyone knew was going to lose) that would impose an economically reckless minimum wage on the Lone Star State. They got that...
Gooden Election Do-over Clouded by Lobby Connections
Former State Rep. Lance Gooden is seeking a do-over of his last election in which voters turned him out of office in favor of State Rep. Stuart Spitzer (R–Kaufman). In his first session in office, Spitzer offered a significant upgrade over Gooden and earned accolades...
Amnesty Supporters Call Cook Their “Best Friend”
Under fire from constituents for his role in killing legislation aimed at securing the Texas border, most defenders of State Rep. Byron Cook (R–Corscicana) have chosen to deny and obfuscate the lawmaker’s record. But some of his supporters are trumpeting his...
Lawsuit Looms Over Funding of Paxton Prosecution
After being warned that their preliminary budget violated state law, Collin County Commissioners acted quickly on Tuesday to reduce their proposed expenditures for a prosecution of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The commissioners court had initially been asked to...
Flynn Writes Houstonians About Public Pensions, But Not His Own
Why is a North Texas state representative focusing on public employee pensions in Houston, and why is he ignoring his own outlandish public pension? Yesterday, State Rep. Dan Flynn (R–Van) took to the pages of the Houston Chronicle to discuss the nuances of Houston’s...
Lame Duck Defends Rogue Agency
As a lame duck legislator who chose to retire, rather than be retired by his citizens, Austin lobby-lackey John Otto (R-Dayton) is ignobly leaving office by advocating for a rogue state agency. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, State Rep. Otto has...
Byron Cook’s Illegal Immigration Interference: Part Two
State Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) has previously been exposed for killing meaningful illegal immigration reforms while simultaneously allowing himself and his allies to escape the responsibility. However, as chairman of the powerful House State Affairs committee,...