State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
174 Criminal Aliens Deported From Texas
ICE said 24 were confirmed gang members.
House Education Committee Advances School Choice Legislation
The proposal is a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Announces Tax Relief Deal for Seniors, Gives Update on Senate Progress
Although Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he has found Speaker Dustin Burrows easy to agree with, he insisted that “now’s the time to get into action.”
Dozens of Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Members Arrested Outside Austin
Law enforcement took 47 people into custody.
State Archive
Tuition Revenue Bonds are a Bipartisan Problem
On Wednesday, the Texas House will take up HB 100, a bill authorizing more than $3.4 billion for a funding mechanism called Tuition Revenue Bonds, used to finance construction of buildings on campuses of the state’s public universities. Taxpayers should encourage...
A Tale of Two Chambers
State politicians often assert that they’re going to Austin so they can “get stuff done,” but such a charge demands review. At this point, we’re well past the halfway point in this regular session for members of the 84th Legislature. They’ve been “working” for 3...
HB8/HJR8
We have been asked about whether House Bill 8 and House Joint Resolution 8 will be scored on the Fiscal Responsibility Index. At this time, they will not be. Let me explain why. In essence, the measures change the calculation by which the Economic Stabilization Fund...
Unconstitutional NASCAR Reimbursement Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
With full knowledge of how it violated the Texas Constitution, a supermajority of the Texas House of Representatives has voted forward an unconstitutional retroactive law to benefit NASCAR and other special interests. If signed by Gov. Abbott, Senate Bill 293 will...
After 18-Hour Process, House Passes Budget
After almost eighteen continuous hours of discussion, interrogation, and confrontation, the overnight debut of HB 1 ended in the Texas House with a 141-5 vote to passage at 5:39 a.m. on April 1. This base budget plan, submitted by Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton), arrived on...
Shaheen Stands for Ballot Transparency
Earlier this year, State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) filed legislation that would forbid governmental agencies from spending taxpayer funds to employ lobbyists to kill taxpayer friendly reforms. State Sen. Konni Burton joined Shaheen in backing taxpayers, making state...
Malfunctioning Machines
When everyday Texans go to the ballot box, they get to vote for their representatives only once before being stuck with them for their term. No matter how many promises a politician breaks, voters don’t get a “do over” until it's election season again; that’s just how...
Wallace Hall Vindicated By Hostile Jury
A Travis County Grand Jury sent out notice earlier today that University of Texas Regent and whistleblower Wallace Hall will not be indicted on any charges, but not before they attempted to besmirch his reputation in a baffling public letter calling for less...
Huffines Stares Down Franchise Tax
It’s a sad fact that many lawmakers tell voters one thing, but do another once they’re elected. Unfortunately for Texans, the problem isn’t restricted to politicians in Washington, D.C.—the disease that replaces conviction with complicity is just as contagious in...