TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Frederick Frazier’s runoff opponent accused him of posing as a city code compliance officer to get campaign signs taken down. Frazier said his opponent is to blame in the case.

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.

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.

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, the chair of the investigating committee, said he couldn’t promise a timeline for the review and that witnesses will be questioned in private.

Phelan said it is an “outrage” that officials still do not have a clear picture of what happened during the shooting. The committee’s findings will inform the House’s legislative response.

The pricey fights illustrate how much of the action in Texas politics has shifted back to the primary after redistricting dramatically reduced the number of competitive seats.

Democratic primary runoffs for two congressional districts and two legislative seats in South Texas highlight the candidates’ divergent visions for the party in a region the GOP is heavily targeting.

A group of young women have teamed up with a prestigious Houston law firm to get the state to stop charging sales tax on menstrual products, arguing they qualify as “wound care dressings.”

Cibolo Creek anchors this bucolic town northwest of San Antonio

The Grand Prairie lawmaker has led the minority party’s House caucus since 2017.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Berry, who will face Ellen Troxclair in the runoff, was one of 19 Austin officers accused of using excessive force on people demonstrating against police brutality in 2020.

The primaries are also the first major electoral test for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who took over the gavel more than a year ago.

Justin Berry is among 19 Austin law enforcement officers indicted and accused of using excessive force on anti-police brutality protesters in 2020.

The Austin police officer is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Texas House District 19, west of Austin.

The Texans for Better Democrats Coalition is throwing its support behind Candis Houston, who is running against state Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston, and Rep. Claudia Ordaz Perez, who faces fellow El Pasoan Rep. Art Fierro.

The Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time.

Rep. Tracy O. King (D-Uvalde) is proud to announce his campaign for re-election to...

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.

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]

Every statewide office, legislative seat and U.S. House district will be on the ballot next year when the state’s new political maps are expected to be used.

Critics of the Chapter 313 corporate tax incentive program say it lacks accountability and is burdensome to taxpayers in the state.

Texas’ population has grown 40% this century, and 91% of the new Texans are people of color. Federal judges now have to decide whether those monumental changes are reflected in the state’s political maps.

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.

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.

A new state law requires the secretary of state's office to audit results in four randomly selected counties every two years.

At least three other Democrats and four Republicans are vying for the office that GOP incumbent George P. Bush is leaving to run for attorney general.

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.

It’s unclear why the governor tasked the state's education agency, which does not employ law enforcement officers, to perform the investigation.

State Reps. Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez talked about everything from redistricting to “critical race theory” with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith.

The October poll found that the percentage of Democrats who said voting rules should be less strict increased significantly, with 64% of voters taking that position compared to the 51% in August.

Republicans saw flipping the seat as a way to make headway into South Texas, where Democrat Joe Biden underperformed last year.

Texas voters will decide on eight proposed changes to the state’s Constitution. Voters in the San Antonio area will pick a new Texas House member. And Austin voters will decide whether to require more police officers.

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.

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."

Travis hopes to replace state Rep. Jim Murphy, who isn’t running for reelection.

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.

The redistricting process in the GOP-dominated Legislature made many political districts less competitive, which some experts believe might hurt civic engagement.

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.

Lawmakers approved new political maps and decided how to spend COVID-19 relief money. But they didn’t pass bills about vaccine mandates or the criminal penalty for illegal voting.

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.

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.

The likely new district comes as Texas Republicans continue to try to make new inroads in South Texas after the 2020 election.

The controversial measure, which was debated for ten hours, now goes to the state Senate. Critics called it discriminatory.

The San Antonio Republican announced Wednesday he will not run for another term in 2022.

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.

Republicans are pushing to flip the San Antonio-based seat.

When lawmakers find something in the law that they don’t like — or that their voters don’t like — they can always say they didn’t know what they were voting on. It happens more than you’d think.

The draft, which will need a stamp of approval from the full chamber before it can head to the Senate for consideration, is likely to continue to change before the Legislature sends it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for a signature.

The Brownsville City Commission will hold its regular commission meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday where the commission is expected to vote on two resolutions pertaining to the Brownsville Police Department.

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.

A proposed Texas House map would separate Hays County into two different districts and State Rep.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

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.

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]

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.

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.

Lujan is a Republican who previously held the seat and is hoping to help his party make inroads in South Texas. Ramirez is a former San Antonio City Council staffer.

The initial drafts of both maps have so far attempted to strengthen Republican majorities by protecting incumbents and creating more GOP-friendly districts.

The two Republicans are fighting to replace former state Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Waxahachie, who is now a congressman.

The bill passed 79-37 on second reading late Thursday night, bringing it one vote away from final approval in the Texas House. The measure includes bans on 24-hour voting and drive-through voting.

Democrats who have returned to the state could be detained and forced to come to the capitol.

After a procedural vote, the lawmakers need Speaker Dade Phelan’s permission to leave the House chamber.

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.

Chris Turner, chairman of the state's House Democratic Caucus, said it was a "sober reminder that COVID is still with us."

The year was 2003, and the cramped Speaker’s Committee Room next to the Texas House floor was overflowing with reporters and spectators.

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.

Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with the Texas Democratic legislators who fled the state Monday in an effort to block Republican-backed election bills.

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.

It’s the second time Democrats have walked out in an attempt to stop voter legislation.

By traveling to the nation's capital, the Texas lawmakers deprive the state legislature of the quorum needed to take up Republicans proposals to restrict voting.

The group of Texas Democrats is calling on Congress to enact federal voting rights protections.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday began leaving 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.

Missing Democrats will deny Republican quorum to conduct any business

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...

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]

Democrats in the state House want to deny the quorum needed to pass voting restrictions and bills targeting trans athletes and critical race theory.

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.

Without federal action to protect our elections and right to vote, our democracy is in peril – not just in Texas or Georgia or Florida, but everywhere.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Midnight was coming fast. Any moment now, the Texas House of Representatives would sign off on one of the most restrictive new voting laws in America.

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...

The move by Democrats in the state House of Representatives denied Republicans a quorum. Governor Greg Abbott said he'll call a special session to restart the process.

The revolt torpedoed the measure which would have reduced polling hours, empowered poll watchers and scaled back ways to vote in Texas, which already has some of the nation's strictest voting laws.

Move denied Republicans quorum. Governor says he'll call special session to restart the process.

The Senate opted not to accept the House changes to Senate Bill 7, prompting the formation of a conference committee to iron out the differences.

There are about two weeks left of the regular legislative session, leaving Texas lawmakers with limited time to pass laws.

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...

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.

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.

The bill could undergo more changes. Governor Greg Abbott has said he supports "election integrity" efforts. Texas is one of several GOP-controlled states passing similar, sweeping bills.

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, ...

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...

Opponents, including firearm instructors and police, worry permitless carry would be a public safety risk.

The measure would slash the statute of repose to five years, although defects often take more than five years to manifest.

An internal report finds a decision to forgo door-to-door canvassing hampered voter registration and turnout compared to Republicans.

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.

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.

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.