As eloping Democrats protest in Washington, election reform sails through Texas Senate
Less than a week into the special session, on the floor of the Texas Senate, lawmakers approved SB-1, the election reform bill Republicans claim will help restore confidence in the Democratic process.
Texas Democrats leave state Monday for Washington, deny Republicans quorum for voting bill
More than 50 of the 67 Texas House Democrats left the state Monday for Washington, D.C. during the special legislative session. The Democratic exodus would deny the GOP the quorum, or minimum number of members, needed to pass that voting bill.
Texas Democrats leave state to break quorum and stop GOP voting bill
Dozens of House Democratic lawmakers are in Washington, D.C. to stop a voting bill in the current special session ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott.
GOP voting bill advances to Texas House floor after overnight committee hearing
Authors of voting legislation in the House and Senate are moving to ban drive-thru and 24-hour voting options, enhance access for partisan poll watchers and prohibit local election officials from proactively distributing applications to request mail-in ballots. Both bills also include language to further restrict the state’s voting-by-mail rules, including new ID requirements for absentee voters.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has colossal $55 million war chest for 2022 reelection bid
Abbott’s campaign coffers hit the balance after he raised over $18.7 million during the last 10 days of June, his campaign announced Thursday. The campaign said the cash-on-hand total was larger “than any other statewide candidate in Texas history.”
Bail Reform, Election Security lead Special Session Agenda with no action planned on Texas power grid
State lawmakers will be heading to Austin for a special legislative session. Among the issues to be addressed are violent crime, elections, and the border. The agenda does not include any action to improve the reliability of the Texas power grid.
Allen West announces he is running against Gov. Greg Abbott in Republican primary
The Texas GOP chairman made his campaign official Sunday.
"Everything is on the table": Democrats mull options for special session, including another walkout
After killing Republicans' priority voting bill during the regular legislative session, Democratic lawmakers are mulling how to try to stop it in the special session that starts July 8.
Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1
Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry.
Kamala Harris to host White House meeting with Texas Democrats who blocked voting bill
The meeting will take place Wednesday, according to Harris' office.
Texas House set to consider GOP priority voting bill after sweeping changes made behind closed doors
The legislation, approved by the Senate Sunday morning after an all-night debate, touches all facets of voting in Texas.
Effort to curb governors' pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature
The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.”
After drastic changes made behind closed doors, and an overnight debate, Texas Senate approves voting bill
Senate Bill 7 includes provisions to limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further tighten voting-by-mail. The upper chamber suspended its own rules to approve it after debating it for hours overnight.
Local groups gather to protest on wheels
Organizations including Black Voters Matter and the Texas Organizing Project arranged a caravan to Beaumont, Texas with stops at House Speaker Dade Phelan's home and office to protest the controversial voting restrictions bill.
Texas’ divisive bill limiting how students learn about current events and historic racism passed by Senate
The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught.
For the first time in more than 40 years, media were not allowed to witness a Texas execution
On Wednesday, the state executed Quintin Jones, 41, for the Tarrant County murder of his great-aunt in 1999.
Gov. Abbott announces $2.5 billion in food benefits for Texas families in need
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a threat to the U.S. and Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday more help is on the way for families in need.
Federal unemployment benefits cut in the State of Texas
In a move to help employers find employees, Gov. Abbott has pulled federal benefits that allowed people to get paid more money than many employers are offering.
After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioning
The bill approved by the House aims to cool all of Texas’ prisons before 2029. But even if it is signed into law, the lockups will only be air conditioned if lawmakers provide funds for installation.
Lawsuit accuses Biden administration of threatening Texas' health care funding
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit, filed Friday, argues that the Trump-era extension of the federal 1115 Medicaid funding waiver was lawful and that overturning it was a political move.