State news in Texas
State
Abbott Unveils Billboard Campaign to Deter Illegal Immigration
Over 40 billboards have been placed in strategic locations across Central America, Mexico, and parts of the Texas-Mexico border.
Incoming State Rep. Kerwin Introduces Measure to Limit Harmful Chemicals in Fertilizer
In lockstep with ranchers and state prosecutors who have raised the alarm, Kerwin’s measure seeks new restrictions over harmful PFAS chemicals.
Ken Paxton Steps In to Stop ‘Show Hearing’ With Convicted Murderer in the Capitol
Robert Roberson was convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki, in 2002 in Palestine, Texas.
Texas Library Association To Teach Librarians How To Protect Obscene Books
Additional topics include advocating for social justice and gender confusion in children’s literature.
State Archive
Stupidity Isn’t Bravery
Oppose New Taxes! Well, that didn't take long. The new chairman of the House Public Education Committee, a close ally of moderate Speaker Joe Straus, said today he wants to raise Texans' taxes. He called it "bravery." Texans call it something else. One has to wonder...
‘Brewing’ More Liberty
Texas is known as a state with low regulations and free markets. You wouldn’t know it from the perspective of local breweries and brewpubs in the state. The brewing industry has some of the most senseless regulations in the state designed solely to squelch competition...
Save Texas Students
Education in Texas is at a crossroads. Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to make systemic reforms that will impact students for decades to come. Before joining Empower Texans, I worked for two years as a public school teacher in Houston ISD, where I saw...
Playing On Your Dime
It’s a harmless tradition, Texas lawmakers taking off a few hours to play football. Yes, they do it during the work-day and on your dime. Still, think of it this way: that’s one day they won’t be raiding the rainy day fund, sneaking into your pocket, or regulating...
Justice Department Sides with German Homeschooling Policy
This is some jaw-dropping news: In a political asylum case involving a German family that fled to the United States to be able to homeschool their children, the U.S. Justice Department is arguing that the freedom to choose to educate one’s own children is not a...
Birdwell, Hughes Seek Greater Taxpayer Protection
Two of the state’s Taxpayer Champions are proposing greater protections against tax hikes at the state level. Senator Brian Birdwell and Rep. Bryan Hughes have both proposed amending the state constitution to require a two-thirds majority for the legislature to...
Chartering Better Education
For all the talk about education reform, one of the best options can be found in the state's unsung academic heroes: the charter schools. Correctly utilized, they provide meaningful opportunities for driving improvement by increasing the options available to parents,...
The Side Effects of Medicaid Expansion
With Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst both on record in opposition, Medicaid expansion in Texas seems unlikely at best. But with increased chatter about it spreading throughout the Austin political machine like a contagion, a reminder of all the fiscal side effects...
A ‘Sweet’ Reform for SNAP
With entitlement spending set to sour the state’s budget without some meaningful reform, one Democrat has a sweet proposal to help eliminate wasteful spending—by prohibiting sweets and junk food from being purchased with welfare handouts. HB 751 by Rep. Richard...