State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Dan Patrick: If We Can’t Trust the Texas Lottery, the Senate Will End It
The lieutenant governor says the Texas Lottery Commission’s sudden reversal on online courier sales won’t stop the Senate from investigating.
Texas Lottery Commissioner Resigns as Commission Faces Scrutiny
The resignation comes just ahead of a key hearing in the Texas Senate on legislation that could impact the future of online lottery sales.
State Sen. Kolkhorst Files Legislation Safeguarding Texas Land From Foreign Threats
The measure would allow the attorney general’s office to step in if they suspect that a certain foreign purchase would create a national security risk.
Senators on Texas Education Committee Advance Teacher Pay Raises
The measure would also expand teachers’ opportunities to receive performance-based bonuses and provide them with free pre-kindergarten.
State Archive
Bennett Ratliff Touts “Values” Endorsement of LGBT, Muslim-outreach Activist
Former state rep. Bennett Ratliff is drawing fire from his opponent after Ratliff released an endorsement from an LGBT and Muslim-outreach activist praising Ratliff for his “conservative values.” In a press release issued by the Ratliff campaign, former Carrollton...
Susan King Seeks to Continue Failing Record in Senate
Despite having failed taxpayers throughout her legislative tenure, State Rep. Susan King (R – Abilene) is asking voters for a promotion to the State’s upper chamber. Earlier this week, King formally announced her candidacy for State Senate District 24’s Republican...
Democratic Strategist: Boehner Should Have Used Straus Model
One Democratic Strategist thinks he knows how John Boehner could have remained Speaker of the United State House, and his answer is in Texas. Specifically, that Texas’ current House leadership is run not by the GOP majority, but by a coalition of Democrats and liberal...
Lawmaker Caught on Tape: “You Can Kill Somebody If You Want”
Is this what Texas House leadership had in mind when they tried to pass laws banning the release of undercover videos in the Texas Capitol? The American Phoenix Foundation has finally released one of their long-awaited undercover videos taken of legislators during the...
Ethics Commission Continues Fight Against Texas Churches
Churches in Texas could lose their right to act in accordance with their faith if the Texas Ethics Commission is successful in federal court. The agency would force churches to register and report as political action committees before speaking on issues affecting...
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...