State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
‘Texas Strip’: Lone Star State Looks To Carve Out a New Name for a Classic Steak
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Senate will consider a resolution to give the New York Strip a more fitting name.
Senators Consider Stronger Safeguards Against Sexually Explicit Books in Schools
Similar legislation passed the Senate last session but died in the Texas House.
State Lawmaker Files TLR-Backed Measure Limiting Texans’ Free Speech
A similar measure targeting the state’s anti-SLAPP laws was pushed last session before hitting a roadblock.
State Senators to Freeze Funding Increases for Universities, Citing Noncompliance With DEI Ban
The lawmakers are expecting university leadership to confirm compliance with state law.
State Archive
Why School Choice Must Be Universal
Who knows what's best for children in terms of education? The adults responsible for them - i.e., parents and guardians - or politicians and bureaucrats? I know, this is one of those times when you look at the screen and scoff. "Obviously," you say, indignantly,...
Gone with the Wind?
Texas has received federal subsidies for wind farms since 1992, providing the “green energy” sector with an artificial leg-up against other forms of energy. But with the fiscal cliff in Washington looming, this particular incident of corporate welfare could finally be...
Krause Makes Good on Reform
After drawing the top-seniority rank among the 42 members of the Texas House freshmen class, incoming State Rep. Matt Krause of Arlington put taxpayers first by filing legislation to require zero-based budgeting. During freshman orientation, new members draw numbered...
The Curse of Low Expectations
On Friday, State Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R–Lexington) announced his intention to again vote for Rep. Joe Straus as House Speaker this upcoming session, reiterating the tired and debunked rhetoric that the House had a truly conservative session under his watch in 2011....
Failing the Test
While good intentions no doubt drove the imposition of the state’s increasingly heavy-handed testing regimen for schools (well, good intentions, plus a big pay-day for a politically connected, London-based publishing firm), righteous outrage from parents and teachers...
Granting More Electric Car Subsidies
Who needs more roads when you can have more electric-car charging stations? A new federal grant is set to build more charging stations along the I-35 corridor in Central Texas at the same time lawmakers in Texas are voicing concerns about lack of gas tax revenue from...
Flawed Limit
Despite 94 percent of Republican primary voters and 70 percent of Texas voters demanding a limit on government spending to no more than population and inflation, the Legislative Budget Board today voted to let lawmakers exceed that rate for the 2014-15 budget cycle....
First Look at Pre-Filed Bills
Pre-filing for bills in the 83rd Legislature has already begun. Here’s a look at some notable pieces of legislation so far. Good HB 88 by Bill Callegari – this would set a constitutional limit on the rate of growth of approprations to no more than the sum of...
Who’s Holding a Townhall?
According to the Republican Party of Texas Platform, GOP state representatives are to hold townhall meetings to discuss House leadership between now and the start of the 83rd session. So far, only a handful of GOP legislators say they plan to hold this important...