State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Texas to Launch Advanced Nuclear Energy Office
The office will facilitate grants for nuclear ventures.
Gov. Greg Abbott Announces July 21 Special Session
Special sessions can only be called by the governor on issues he chooses and can last up to 30 days at a time.
AG Paxton Secures Ban on San Antonio’s Out-of-State Abortion Travel Funding While Case Continues
The merits of the case have yet to be determined.
Texas Lottery Operator Rebrands Amid Scandals
IGT, the embattled operator of the Texas Lottery, is rebranding to Brightstar Lottery.
State Archive
Texas Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Laredo Bag Ban
The future of plastic bag bans in Texas looks flimsy, with the Texas Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in the case of Laredo Merchants Association v. The City of Laredo last week. The Court agreed to take the case in September 2017 after a ruling by the state’s...
Patrick Opponent is Posterchild for Cronyism
Education groups supporting Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s challenger in the Republican primary may want to think twice about their endorsement. Not only is the campaign floundering, but the candidate is a posterchild for cronyism, having been fired from multiple jobs due to...
Which Republicans Voted For Higher Property Taxes?
Texas voters are currently allowed to vote on dramatic property tax hikes levied by school boards. But a minority of House Republicans joined a united Democrat Caucus to try and repeal that protection. In 2017, the Texas House passed a bill that would have allowed...
Abbott Unveils Plan for Property Tax Reform
After leadership in the Texas House killed his property tax reform measures during the special session last summer, Gov. Greg Abbott clarified his expectations for when the legislature reconvenes next year. Speaking at a press conference in Houston this morning,...
Spectre of Harvey Looms Over Coming Budget Challenges
Hurricane Harvey’s record-level destruction will likely cost the state a minimum of $2 billion to help cover the damages, State Comptroller Glenn Hegar said in the months following the record-setting disaster. “This event, being from the edge of Corpus (Christi) all...
Abbott Rakes in Record Amount of Cash
On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced his campaign had a record-setting $43.3 million in cash on hand, more than any other statewide candidate in Texas has ever reported in history. According to a press release from Abbott’s campaign, over 53% of contributions made...
Introducing the 85th Texas Legislature Activist Report
The mission statement of Empower Texans describes us as a non-profit service organization that exists to “educate and inspire Texans to exercise effective citizenship” and “empower taxpayers to advocate for good governance and hold their elected officials...
House Democrat Employs Self-Avowed Communist
Gone are the days of so-called “moderate” Democrats. Now one Houston state representative is employing a self-avowed communist in her legislative office. In a strange exchange on Twitter Wednesday evening, Jaime Puente, who serves as the Legislative Director for...
Zedler Blasts Texas Medical Board for Accountability Lapses
Concerns over retaliation by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) are prompting a state lawmaker to call for greater oversight, following a September 15 ruling by a state Administrative Law Judge exonerating a central Texas physician of wrongdoing. Recent studies show...