WEATHER ALERT
Texas property tax cut bills that could save homeowners $500 per year headed to governor’s desk
Read full article: Texas property tax cut bills that could save homeowners $500 per year headed to governor’s deskA set of property tax cut bills in Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, are now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.
Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Read full article: Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s deskResearch shows cellphones interfere with students' ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day.
Controversial Texas school discipline bill heads to governor’s desk, but critics say it misses the mark
Read full article: Controversial Texas school discipline bill heads to governor’s desk, but critics say it misses the markA new bill aimed at curbing the rise in violent and disruptive incidents in Texas schools is now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature—but some parents and educators say the proposed legislation falls short of solving the deeper issues at play.
Texas Legislature passes bill to ban all THC products: What’s next for the industry?
Read full article: Texas Legislature passes bill to ban all THC products: What’s next for the industry?Senate Bill 3, a controversial measure that would ban all THC products in Texas, has officially passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature. The bill is now on Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, where he will make the final decision on whether it becomes law.
Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding
Read full article: Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant fundingGov. Greg Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, which will give schools funding for salary increases, special education, teacher preparation and operational costs.
Automatic denial of bail for some migrants fails to pass Texas House
Read full article: Automatic denial of bail for some migrants fails to pass Texas HouseSupporters said the proposal, which sought to amend the state constitution, would improve safety. Critics said it would violate due process and unfairly target minority groups.
Governor Abbott signs bill mandating stricter controls for online app stores; parents and kids react
Read full article: Governor Abbott signs bill mandating stricter controls for online app stores; parents and kids reactTexas Governor Greg Abbott signed the App Store Accountability Act yesterday, mandating stricter controls on mobile app marketplaces to protect minors from online predators and safeguard their personal data.
‘Welcome to Texas. Here’s your Death Penalty’: Gov. Greg Abbott calls for death penalty in Grapevine Lake jet ski crash
Read full article: ‘Welcome to Texas. Here’s your Death Penalty’: Gov. Greg Abbott calls for death penalty in Grapevine Lake jet ski crashTexas Governor Greg Abbott took to social media to comment on the death of a kayaker who was killed on Lake Grapevine by a jet ski.
Once again, Texas Legislature unlikely to pass ethics legislation this year
Read full article: Once again, Texas Legislature unlikely to pass ethics legislation this yearLawmakers filed dozens of bills that would increase transparency around spending in elections and strengthen penalties for campaign and lobbying violations. None are poised to pass.
TribCast: Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott are getting what they want this legislative session
Read full article: TribCast: Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott are getting what they want this legislative sessionIn this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk with politics reporter Jasper Scherer about education funding, a THC ban and the success of conservative priorities this year.
Bill that gives Texas increased oversight of largest energy users wins Legislature’s approval
Read full article: Bill that gives Texas increased oversight of largest energy users wins Legislature’s approvalSenate Bill 6, which now heads to the governor’s desk, gives the state’s electricity managers the ability to shut power to large consumers during emergencies.
‘Audrii’s Law’ officially signed by Governor Abbott, set to take effect this fall
Read full article: ‘Audrii’s Law’ officially signed by Governor Abbott, set to take effect this fallGovernor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2000, known as Audrii’s Law, which mandates sex offender registration for child grooming offenses in Texas.
Ban on THC products in Texas heads to Gov. Abbott’s desk after Senate agrees to House changes
Read full article: Ban on THC products in Texas heads to Gov. Abbott’s desk after Senate agrees to House changesThe governor has not addressed whether he supports the ban, as hemp industry leaders have urged him to veto Senate Bill 3.
Texas Legislature approves making vaccine exemption process easier
Read full article: Texas Legislature approves making vaccine exemption process easierInstead of waiting for the state to send them one, parents would be able to print out vaccine exemption forms at home if they want to skip school-required shots. Critics believe the bill would increase infections.
After years of tension, Texas House emerges as cooperative partner for Dan Patrick and his conservative agenda
Read full article: After years of tension, Texas House emerges as cooperative partner for Dan Patrick and his conservative agendaA 2024 war among Republicans tilted the House to the right. Now more closely aligned with the Senate, Speaker Dustin Burrows has accelerated action on bail, school vouchers and social issues.
Texas is closer to putting the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a key vote
Read full article: Texas is closer to putting the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a key voteA push to put the Ten Commandments on display in all Texas public school classrooms is closer to reaching Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.
Bill to give political appointees more oversight over Texas universities wins final passage
Read full article: Bill to give political appointees more oversight over Texas universities wins final passageThe latest version of the proposal eliminates language that would have required university curricula not to advocate that “any race, sex, ethnicity or religious belief is inherently superior to another.”
Overriding a Texas governor’s veto can be impossible. Lawmakers are trying to change that.
Read full article: Overriding a Texas governor’s veto can be impossible. Lawmakers are trying to change that.The state constitution’s legislative calendar — not a vote threshold — makes it hard to overrule the governor. Legislators are crafting an amendment that would make more overrides possible.
Bill to teach Texas kids the dangers of communism — but not fascism — clears the Legislature
Read full article: Bill to teach Texas kids the dangers of communism — but not fascism — clears the LegislatureThe bill won bipartisan support despite efforts from multiple Democrats that would have also required students to learn about fascism and Nazism.
$12 billion added to congressional spending bill to reimburse states like Texas for border spending
Read full article: $12 billion added to congressional spending bill to reimburse states like Texas for border spendingThe U.S. House approved the budget reconciliation bill, which also includes preservation of 2017 tax cuts and changes to Medicaid and SNAP.
Water bills face deadline threat as Texas lawmakers negotiate spending priorities
Read full article: Water bills face deadline threat as Texas lawmakers negotiate spending prioritiesGov. Greg Abbott and other leaders have called for a major investment to save the state’s water supply. How to spend the money has caused friction at the Capitol.
A Texas bill to clarify exceptions to the state's abortion ban clears a key hurdle after rocky path
Read full article: A Texas bill to clarify exceptions to the state's abortion ban clears a key hurdle after rocky pathTexas lawmakers have advanced a bill to clarify medical exceptions under one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the U.S. The approval in the Texas House on Wednesday puts the GOP-backed proposal on the brink of reaching Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
Charges dropped against conservative activist in Texas over false voter fraud claim
Read full article: Charges dropped against conservative activist in Texas over false voter fraud claimTexas prosecutors have dropped charges against a prominent conservative activist in Houston related to allegations he was part of what authorities have called a baseless voter fraud conspiracy theory.
The revival of an old program delegates Trump immigration enforcement to local police
Read full article: The revival of an old program delegates Trump immigration enforcement to local policeThe agency responsible for immigration enforcement has aggressively revived and expanded a decades-old program that delegates immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Vacant offices, strip malls may get new life as housing in Texas’ largest cities
Read full article: Vacant offices, strip malls may get new life as housing in Texas’ largest citiesThe bill is part of a suite of GOP proposals aimed at curbing the state’s high housing costs — chiefly by allowing more homes to be built.
Texas lawmakers OK former Uvalde mayor's effort to fix police failures in Robb Elementary attack
Read full article: Texas lawmakers OK former Uvalde mayor's effort to fix police failures in Robb Elementary attackTexas lawmakers have passed a plan carried by Uvalde’s former mayor to fix police failures laid bare in the hesitant law enforcement response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in 2022.
Stricter bail rules win final passage in Texas Legislature, will go to voters in November
Read full article: Stricter bail rules win final passage in Texas Legislature, will go to voters in NovemberThe House passage of the measure asking voters to amend the state Constitution to tighten the state’s bail laws hands a major policy win to Gov. Greg Abbott.
Abbott wants to stop allowing federal benefits in Texas to be spent on unhealthy, high-processed food
Read full article: Abbott wants to stop allowing federal benefits in Texas to be spent on unhealthy, high-processed foodTexas’ governor joins other Republican governors making similar requests to ban purchases of candy and soda through the SNAP program.
Business tax breaks closer to reality after Texas Senate approves compromise
Read full article: Business tax breaks closer to reality after Texas Senate approves compromiseThe Texas House must approve changes to the proposal that were brokered by party leaders. It’s part of a package of bills to bring down property taxes statewide.
Pressing deadlines, unfinished business: Where the Legislature stands on abortion, water, property tax and more
Read full article: Pressing deadlines, unfinished business: Where the Legislature stands on abortion, water, property tax and moreA raft of social conservative priorities backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hang in the balance, including efforts to infuse more religion into public schools.
Bill requiring Texas hospitals to report the citizenship status of patients killed in House
Read full article: Bill requiring Texas hospitals to report the citizenship status of patients killed in HouseIt is unclear whether the House bill could come back as an amendment to another measure before the legislative session ends June 2.
Proposals to require judges to deny bail more often advance through House panel, signaling a broader agreement
Read full article: Proposals to require judges to deny bail more often advance through House panel, signaling a broader agreementAmending the Texas Constitution to crack down on the state’s bail practices has been an elusive priority of Gov. Greg Abbott’s for three consecutive sessions.
Sen. Cornyn of Texas says federal probe started into Muslim-centered community near Dallas
Read full article: Sen. Cornyn of Texas says federal probe started into Muslim-centered community near DallasU.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas says the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state’s largest mosques near Dallas.
John Cornyn says tax and spending bill must reimburse Texas $11 billion for border security
Read full article: John Cornyn says tax and spending bill must reimburse Texas $11 billion for border securityTexas Republicans are pushing the federal government to pay the state’s costs of Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg’s Abbott’s border security initiative.
‘Audrii’s Law’ unanimously passes Texas Senate, now heads to Governor Abbott’s desk for signature
Read full article: ‘Audrii’s Law’ unanimously passes Texas Senate, now heads to Governor Abbott’s desk for signatureTexas lawmakers have unanimously voted to send H.B. 2000 - better known as Audrii’s Law - to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.
UT System announces $100 million investment into civic leadership school
Read full article: UT System announces $100 million investment into civic leadership schoolThe money will help pay for a permanent home for the school on UT-Austin's campus. Conservative donors and lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, helped create the school in 2023.
In bail talks, lawmakers close in on Texas GOP goal of keeping defendants in jail
Read full article: In bail talks, lawmakers close in on Texas GOP goal of keeping defendants in jailWhile Gov. Greg Abbott steps up his push for stricter bail rules, critics seek a balance between the rights of the accused and the goal of keeping dangerous defendants behind bars.
Attempt to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips in Texas could stall in the Senate for a third time
Read full article: Attempt to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips in Texas could stall in the Senate for a third timeOpponents fear that fentanyl test strips will increase the usage of the deadly drug.
Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.
Read full article: Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.
How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issue
Read full article: How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issueAbbott tapped into a powerful national conservative movement and his own campaign war chest to turn turned legislative races into multimillion-dollar affairs.
ICE joins DeSantis in touting one-week record of arresting 1,120 people in the US illegally
Read full article: ICE joins DeSantis in touting one-week record of arresting 1,120 people in the US illegallyU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are in Florida with Gov. Ron DeSantis to praise a week long operation that netted 1,120 arrests of people they say were in the country illegally.
Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
Read full article: Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challengesAs school districts struggle to control the spread online exploitation among their students, Texas lawmakers could consider banning social media from minors along with other measures in the upcoming legislative session.
Experts cast doubt on state’s report that undocumented immigrants cost Texas hospitals $122M in a month
Read full article: Experts cast doubt on state’s report that undocumented immigrants cost Texas hospitals $122M in a monthPolicy experts say undocumented immigrants' cost to hospitals is a small fraction of the total cost from uninsured Texans.
How the public's shift on immigration paved the way for Trump's crackdown
Read full article: How the public's shift on immigration paved the way for Trump's crackdownSince returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement that has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges trying to restrain him.
Gov. Abbott, lawmakers weigh in on bill that would bring back funding for stolen SNAP benefits
Read full article: Gov. Abbott, lawmakers weigh in on bill that would bring back funding for stolen SNAP benefitsA day after legislation was announced by Congressman Al Green that would bring back federal funding to replace stolen SNAP benefits, elected leaders are already chiming in.
Abbott signs first bill of session into law, creating a Texas DOGE
Read full article: Abbott signs first bill of session into law, creating a Texas DOGEThe first bill to reach Abbott’s desk this session creates a regulation-cutting state agency under the purview of the governor. It was passed with bipartisan supermajorities.
Gov. Greg Abbott to speak one-on-one with KPRC 2 | What questions do you have for him?
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott to speak one-on-one with KPRC 2 | What questions do you have for him?SOUND OFF: As we prepare for our interview, KPRC 2 would like to hear from you, the viewer, on what questions you’d like us to ask the governor.
Texas may study the impact of immigration again, but focus only on costs
Read full article: Texas may study the impact of immigration again, but focus only on costsThe only time the state conducted such an assessment two decades ago, it found that undocumented Texans contributed more to the state’s economy than they cost the state.
The Texas Lottery's top executive resigns as scrutiny over big jackpot winners intensifies
Read full article: The Texas Lottery's top executive resigns as scrutiny over big jackpot winners intensifiesThe executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission has resigned in the latest shake-up at the state’s retail gambling enterprise amid multiple investigations into large jackpots in 2023 and earlier this year and threats from some lawmakers to shut it down.
Early Texas hospital data shows millions spent in care for non-U.S. citizens
Read full article: Early Texas hospital data shows millions spent in care for non-U.S. citizensA state employee testified Monday that tens of thousands of people in the U.S. unlawfully were treated, but it was unclear how long the data had been collected.
With the border quiet, Texas ponders spending another $6.5 billion on border security
Read full article: With the border quiet, Texas ponders spending another $6.5 billion on border securitySome are questioning whether lawmakers should commit billions more to border security with illegal crossings dwindling and a Trump immigration crackdown.
Trump's transportation officials buck a long-held practice of using 'road diets' to slow speeders
Read full article: Trump's transportation officials buck a long-held practice of using 'road diets' to slow speedersRemoving lanes to slow down speeding drivers is a long-embraced strategy for improving safety on city streets.
Dan Patrick endorses Texas House’s voucher plan, clearing path to final approval
Read full article: Dan Patrick endorses Texas House’s voucher plan, clearing path to final approvalThe lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.
In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardball
Read full article: In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardballAnti-voucher Republicans said they voted for the bill so they could fight to improve it, and also to fend off political retribution.
In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher program
Read full article: In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher programThe bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.
Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers vote
Read full article: Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers voteFrom The Blast: More than 50 House Democrats have signed on to a plan to spike all constitutional amendments unless the House allows voters to decide whether school vouchers will be legalized.
Abbott gave Trump credit when Texas closed a border site for booking migrants. But arrests were already low.
Read full article: Abbott gave Trump credit when Texas closed a border site for booking migrants. But arrests were already low.Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas was able to close the Jim Hogg County facility because of Trump’s immigration policies. Records reveal that the reality is more nuanced.
Texas governor calls November election for vacant US House seat as Democrats criticize timing
Read full article: Texas governor calls November election for vacant US House seat as Democrats criticize timingTexas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the special election to fill the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner's seat won’t be held until November.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces 18th Congressional District special election
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott announces 18th Congressional District special electionA month after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott finally issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 as the special election date to fill the 18th Congressional District seat.
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seatThe decision to wait until November means a narrowly divided Congress will be down a Democratic representative for most of 2025.
Eagle Pass park reopens more than a year after the state seized it for border security
Read full article: Eagle Pass park reopens more than a year after the state seized it for border securityThe Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard presence has largely disappeared from Shelby Park, which sits next to the Rio Grande.
Gov. Abbott calls Harris County ‘a repeat failure’ in elections, explains delay in calling special election
Read full article: Gov. Abbott calls Harris County ‘a repeat failure’ in elections, explains delay in calling special electionA month after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott explains his reasoning on why he has delayed in calling for a special election to fill the seat representing parts of Houston, a Democratic stronghold, in Congress.
Despite Texas defendant’s death in Louisiana prison, lawmakers unlikely to end reliance on out-of-state lockups
Read full article: Despite Texas defendant’s death in Louisiana prison, lawmakers unlikely to end reliance on out-of-state lockupsLawmakers are pursuing legislative changes that would keep more people locked up in overcrowded county jails while awaiting resolution to their cases.
Cracking down on fuel crime: Senate passes bill to target organized fuel theft rings in Texas
Read full article: Cracking down on fuel crime: Senate passes bill to target organized fuel theft rings in TexasThe Texas Senate has passed a bill that will crack down on organized fuel theft rings across the state.
Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas House
Read full article: Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas HouseThe House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.
‘Don’t play games:’ Menefee calls out Abbott for not calling 18th Congressional District special election
Read full article: ‘Don’t play games:’ Menefee calls out Abbott for not calling 18th Congressional District special electionHarris Co. Attorney Christian Menefee, who is running to replace late Rep. Sylvester Turner, will hold a news conference calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special election for the 18th congressional district.
New wave of smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors sends US states racing to attract the industry
Read full article: New wave of smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors sends US states racing to attract the industryU.S. states are positioning themselves to compete for newer, cheaper nuclear reactors being developed as communities and tech giants compete in a race for electricity.
No timetable from Texas governor on filling late Democratic congressman's vacant seat
Read full article: No timetable from Texas governor on filling late Democratic congressman's vacant seatThe race to fill a Texas congressional seat has candidates but no election date more than three weeks after Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death left a vacancy in a stronghold for Democrats, who are eager to cut into Republicans’ narrow U.S. House majority.
Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money
Read full article: Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal moneyA Tribune analysis also found the state’s share of the funds that schools receive per student significantly decreased in the last decade until recently.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he’ll push for special session if THC ban, bail changes fail
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he’ll push for special session if THC ban, bail changes failOnly Gov. Greg Abbott can call for a special session. But in his role presiding over the Texas Senate, Patrick can block any bill from passing, giving him leverage to compel overtime sessions by killing must-pass legislation.
Gov. Greg Abbott showing no rush to replace late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott showing no rush to replace late U.S. Rep. Sylvester TurnerRepublicans hold a tiny majority in the House, creating an incentive for Abbott to hold off on calling an election for Turner’s seat, which would likely be filled by a Democrat.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett mocks Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as 'Gov. Hot Wheels'
Read full article: Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett mocks Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as 'Gov. Hot Wheels'Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett mocked her state’s governor during a weekend appearance, referring to Greg Abbott — who uses a wheelchair — as “Gov. Hot Wheels” while speaking at a banquet in Los Angeles.
FEMA approves grant to assist in Pauline Road fire in San Jacinto, Montgomery Counties
Read full article: FEMA approves grant to assist in Pauline Road fire in San Jacinto, Montgomery CountiesGov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the state’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto and Montgomery counties.
Justice Department moves to drop lawsuit that would allow Texas police to arrest migrants
Read full article: Justice Department moves to drop lawsuit that would allow Texas police to arrest migrantsThe Trump administration has moved to dismiss a lawsuit against Texas over a law that would allow local police to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally.