Ban on COVID vaccine mandates by private businesses, including health care facilities, passes Texas Senate
The bill offers no exceptions for doctorsโ offices, clinics or other health facilities. Senators agreed to let those entities require unvaccinated employees to wear personal protective gear or take other โreasonableโ measures to manage the spread.
Chaplains could work in Texas public schools if bill becomes law
Senate Bill 763, authored by Galveston area State Senator Mayes Middleton, would allow school districts to hire or accept chaplain volunteers to โprovide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district.โ
Santa Fe evidence bill headed to Gov. Abbottโs desk week before 5th anniversary of mass shooting
One week before the fifth anniversary of the Santa Fe High School mass shooting, relatives of those killed and wounded are celebrating a hard fought victory at the state capitol. A bill that will allow family members of crime victims to see certain pieces of evidence prior to trial is headed to Gov. Greg Abbottโs desk for his signature.
At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how heโd implement โschool choiceโ policy
For the first time, Abbott makes it clear which policy he supports. Bills that would allow parents to get state money to send their kids to schools outside of the stateโs public education system have been floated previously, but top lawmakers believe the policies will pass this session.
Four years in, the Freedom Caucus finds a less contentious role in the Texas House
As the caucusโ third session gets underway, Scahefer added, โI think that our relationships with our colleagues in the House are as good as theyโve ever been. "The Texas House is stronger when everyone has a seat at the table, and I am making it a priority to ensure every representative can represent their district and principles faithfully,โ Phelan said in a statement for this story. AdThe caucus formed in the opening weeks of the 2017 session, promising to serve as the conduit between activists and Austin. Caucus members said they were fighting back against โpetty personal politicsโ when they took advantage of a key midnight deadline to kill the more than 100 bills. To the surprise of some, it was a Freedom Caucus member โ Cain โ who stepped forward to speak out against the idea.
Weeks before the legislative session, state leadersโ political priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
Dan Patrick has suggested there could be an announcement about pandemic protocols next week, and Gov. โI think voters sent a clear message of who they want in charge and the kinds of priorities they want. At the Capitol, state leaders have been in talks for months over what protocols should be in place throughout the session, though no formal guidance has been announced yet. โIโm frustrated that we donโt have a clear picture, but Iโm not surprised,โ said state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood. โWe as the Texas House canโt vote on new rules until we are in session, [so] we are a little bit stuck.