8 Mission police officers recognized at Texas Capitol for their valor
Eight Mission police officers were recognized Friday at the State Capitol in Austin on the Texas House of Representatives chamber floor for their bravery in two high profile incidents, one of which resulted in the death of fellow officer Cpl. Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta Jr. who was also recognized posthumously.
myrgv.comTexas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
Analysis: Gerrymandering has left Texas voters with few options
Texans who don’t vote in primaries and primary runoffs are missing a chance to choose who goes to Congress and the Texas Legislature. Thanks to the political maps drawn by lawmakers last year, only a handful of those contests will be competitive in November.
More than half of the Texas House wants to stop the execution of Melissa Lucio, convicted of killing her toddler
Despite substantive doubts surrounding the cause of her child’s death and a suspect “confession” obtained after hours of interrogation, Lucio is set to be executed next month for killing her 2-year-old daughter.
Texas far-right conservatives spent millions to oust House GOP leaders, to little avail
In the Texas House, the biggest intraparty attack on Republican leadership came from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, led by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford. Backed by hard-right donors like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, West Texas oil tycoons, the group spent at least $5.2 million from January onward.
State GOP leaders win big in Texas legislative primaries
Almost all the preferred candidates of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan nabbed enough votes to head into the November general election. And nearly all sitting House and Senate members seeking to return to the Texas Capitol kept their seats.
Shelley Luther, anti-lockdown activist and GOP candidate, said Chinese students should be banned from Texas universities
Luther became nationally known at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 when she refused to shut down her Dallas salon in defiance of emergency orders. She was sentenced to a week in jail but was released after only a few days.
Zaffrini's Senate District 21 remains in Hays County
Hays County will continue to be a part of Senate District 21, represented by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo following the completion of the redistricting process for the Congressional, Texas Senate, Texas House and State Board of Education maps.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comJustice Department Files Lawsuit Against the State of Texas to Challenge Statewide Redistricting Plans
The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a lawsuit under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act against the State of Texas and the Texas Secretary of State, challenging the State’s redistricting plans for the Texas congressional delegation and the Texas House of Representatives. The United States’ complaint asks the court to prohibit Texas from conducting elections under the challenged plans and asks the court to order Texas to devise and implement new plans that comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The complaint also asks the court to establish interim plans pending a lawful state redistricting. On Sept. 1, the department issued guidance under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, for redistricting and methods of electing government bodies. More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice’s website at https://www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.
justice.govA growing number of Texas Republicans want a fourth special session to pass COVID-19 vaccine mandate ban
It remains unclear whether Gov. Greg Abbott — the only official with the power to convene special sessions — will order state lawmakers back to Austin, or what issues he would include on the agenda.
State Rep. Alex Dominguez will run to replace retiring state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. in high-stakes Democratic primary
Lucio is retiring from the Rio Grande Valley seat, and Dominguez wants to continue his legacy of focusing on education in the region. But he suggested he would take a different approach to at least a couple issues, including abortion.
With a congressional seat suddenly open, Democrats in the Rio Grande Valley race to recruit for a competitive district
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced last week he’ll seek reelection in a new seat, leaving his 15th Congressional District open for the 2022 election. Candidate filing begins Nov. 13.
Texas lawmaker keeping mum on inquiry into what books students can access as school districts grapple with how to respond
Critics say state Rep. Matt Krause's inquiry targets books about women, people of color and LGBTQ people. The lawmaker says providing specifics about his inquiry "could compromise a potential investigation."
Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on Texas’ new political maps, which protect GOP majorities while diluting voices of voters of color
Texas lawmakers drew new maps for the state House and Senate, congressional delegation and State Board of Education. Here’s what Texans should know about the 2021 redistricting outcomes.
In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races
The fast-growing region likely will see a considerable number of new state and federal lawmakers after the 2022 election. And in many cases, they will be representing districts whose boundaries have significantly shifted.
Texas voters will decide whether to lower their property tax payments after Legislature completes last-minute Hail Mary
If voters approve the measure next year, it will raise the state’s homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes, netting the average homeowner about $176 in savings.
Texas lawmakers pass controversial new map for the U.S. House of Representatives – Houston Public Media
While Democrats hold firm in their accusations of racial gerrymandering, Republicans passed a map reallocating Texas’ seats in the U.S. House. A court challenge is likely ahead.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas House passes proposed new map for chamber’s 150 districts, aiming to protect Republicans’ majority for the next decade
Members considered more than 50 amendments to the proposed map during debate that began Tuesday and ended early Wednesday. Some of the biggest changes focused on Dallas and Harris counties.
Analysis: In the drive to get new Texas political maps, racial representation takes a back seat
Republican lawmakers in Texas are trying to make the most of their majority, drawing new political maps to preserve their political dynasty. The maps they’ve proposed would do that, but don’t represent the state’s population.
How The Texas Senate’s Proposed Redistricting Map Would Change Congressional Districts Around Spring
Spring, Texas – The Texas State Senate’s proposal for redistricting would make significant changes to congressional districts across the state and if adopted would change the representation for many Spring residents. Under the current lines, Spring is split three ways with areas in the 2nd, 8th, and 18th Congressional Districts. If the Senate’s proposal passes, Spring would sit entirely in the 2nd Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw. The 2nd Congressional District would also extend north to cover parts of The Woodlands and would encompass roughly a third of Montgomery County, much of which is currently in the 8th Congressional District, represented by Republican Congressman Kevin Brady. The newly created 38th Congressional District would cover areas that the 2nd currently passes through, including the entirety of Klein and Tomball.
springhappenings.comProposed Texas House map splits Hays County, draws Zweiner out of District 45
A proposed Texas House map would separate Hays County into two different districts and State Rep.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News District 45, House of Representatives, Erin Zwiener, San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas House proposes map that increases Republican strength and decreases Black and Hispanic majority districts
The Texas Legislature is in the midst of its third special session, which is dedicated to redrawing political maps based on the latest census data that showed people of color fueled 95% of Texas’ population growth over the past decade.
Brian Harrison wins Texas House seat after beating fellow Republican John Wray, who used to hold the seat
Harrison is the former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump. He will replace Waxahachie Republican Jake Ellzey, who was elected to Congress in July.
Texas Democrats Who Left Austin To Block Voting Bill Won’t ‘Telegraph’ 2nd Special Session Plans – Houston Public Media
After Democrats left Austin and blocked legislation from passing in the first legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott set a second to begin Saturday. But without a quorum it will meet the same fate.
houstonpublicmedia.orgAs a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers flee to DC to protest Republican efforts to overhaul voting rights, Rep. Morales stays behind – The Big Bend Sentinel
AUSTIN –A majority of Democrats from the Texas House of Representatives left the state on Monday in an attempt to block two voting restriction bills being pushed by Republicans through the special legislative session that began last Thursday. By not appearing at the legislative chambers in Austin, the dozens of Democrats left the House without a quorum, preventing the Legislature from voting on Governor Greg Abbott’s priority bills and effectively bringing the special session to a grinding halt.
bigbendsentinel.comTexas Democrats dig in after exodus; GOP threatens arrest
Abbott has already threatened Democrats with arrest once they come back home, which may not be until the current 30-day special session ends in August. State Rep. Eddie Morales, one of four Democrats who stayed behind, said it his understanding that troopers would not leave Texas. Despite the exodus by Democrats, Abbott has said Republicans will not be deterred. Texas Democrats, shut out of power in the state Capitol for decades, last fled the state in 2003 to thwart a redistricting plan. But they were unable to arrest the lawmakers without a warrant issued by Oklahoma authorities, and the lawmakers refused the troopers’ request.
myrgv.comTexas Dems Plan To Flee Texas For D.C. Monday To Block GOP Election Bills A Second Time
Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives are planning to fly to Washington, D.C. Monday in an attempt to halt the state Legislature from advancing controversial Republican-backed election bills during the ongoing special legislative session, sources close to state Democrats confirmed to NBC News and...
houstonpress.comTexas House Democrats preparing to flee the state in move that could block voting restrictions bill, bring Legislature to a halt
Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives plan to leave the state and fly to Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon, according to sources with knowledge of the plan, in a bid to again deny Republica[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas Democrats leave state to try to stop GOP voting bill
Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday bolted for Washington, D.C., and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws, forcing a dramatic new showdown over voting rights in America. Private planes carrying a large group of Democrats took off from an airport in Austin, skipping town just days before the Texas House of Representatives was expected to give early approval to sweeping new voting restrictions in a special legislative session.
news.yahoo.comAs Texas Legislature Calls It Quits For Now, Voting Bill Blame Game Continues
Now that the 2021 regular session of the Texas Legislature is officially wrapped-up, state lawmakers now await to hear when Gov. Greg Abbott will call them back to work for overtime as he promised to revive Senate Bill 7, the controversial Republican election reform bill Texas House Democrats killed over the...
houstonpress.comTexas House Approves Republican-Backed Voting Bill Over Democratic Cries Of Voter Suppression
In the wee hours of Friday morning, the Texas House of Representatives voted to pass a slate of election reforms Republicans argue would secure “election integrity” but that Democrats and other critics call voter suppression. The vote put Texas one step closer to joining other Republican-led states — Georgia, Iowa...
houstonpress.comTexas House Voting Bill Faces Contentious Pre-Dawn Session, As It Inches Toward Passage – Houston Public Media
Rep. Briscoe Cain’s version of Senate Bill 7 passed a party-line vote on second reading after harsh questioning by Democrats and parliamentary maneuvers that nearly derailed the bill.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas House Voting Bill Faces Contentious Pre-Dawn Session, As It Inches Toward Passage – Houston Public Media
Rep. Briscoe Cain’s version of Senate Bill 7 passed a party-line vote on second reading after harsh questioning by Democrats and parliamentary maneuvers that nearly derailed the bill.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas House Passes Bill Making It Harder To Bond Out Of Jail – Houston Public Media
The Texas House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that would make it harder for people to bond out of jail before trial. House Bill 20, also known as the Damon Allen Act, passed the House on a voice vote. The measure, which Gov. Greg Abbott had declared an emergency item for the session, ...
houstonpublicmedia.orgDan Patrick's Texas Senate Is All That Stands In The Way Of Permitless Handguns In Texas
Until just a few days ago, it looked like the legislative push to allow Texans to carry handguns without licenses was on life support after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said a Texas House-backed proposal to allow permitless carry didn’t have enough support in the Texas Senate to get a full-hearing, let alone be approved by...
houstonpress.comUpdate: Phelan Sworn In As Texas House Speaker On Opening Day Of 2021 Texas Legislative Session – Houston Public Media
Lawmakers will convene at noon in the State Capitol, where new senators and representatives will be sworn in. The Texas Senate announced it would also pass its rules later in the week and then adjourn until Jan. 26. — Houston Public Media’s Matt Harab—Update at 12:50 p.m. — Phelan elected speaker of the houseThe Texas House has elected Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, to be speaker of the house. As the day began, state troopers and national guard members roamed the grounds of the State Capitol, many in full riot gear. — Matt Harab of Houston Public Media and Paul Flahive of Texas Public RadioUpdate at 8:55 a.m.Houston Public Media’s Matt Harab is outside the Capitol.
houstonpublicmedia.orgHow Beaumont State Rep. Dade Phelan Clinched The Texas House Speakership – Houston Public Media
Phelan will face one of the most difficult sessions in decades, with issues ranging from COVID-19 relief to redistricting. State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, has effectively locked up the race to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Talk with anyone who's worked with Dade Phelan in the Texas Legislature, and one of the first things you'll hear is that he's a hard worker. Phelan's work ethic was on full display in the 2019 session when he chaired the House State Affairs Committee. “The party chairman does not have any sway or impact in the Republican caucus of the House, frankly,” Zerwas said.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas Dems' Face-Plant In State House Takeover Means Abbott and GOP Hold All The Cards
Thanks to Democrats' failure to take over the Texas House, Gov. Texas Democrats came into the 2020 election cycle with sky-high hopes of kicking ass and taking names. Most surprisingly, Democrats completely face-planted on taking over the state House, ensuring that Gov. Greg Abbott and his Republican allies will once again have control over all branches of state government during next year’s legislative session. “This, in keeping with history, is a long game for Texas Democrats,” Rottinghaus said.
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