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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.
House Republicans refuse to pass ceremonial resolution honoring Cecile Richards
Read full article: House Republicans refuse to pass ceremonial resolution honoring Cecile RichardsNormally, memorial resolutions to honor Texans who have died are passed without controversy. But the resolution for Richards, a former president of Planned Parenthood who died this year, sparked a cascade of outrage from conservatives.
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 bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approval
Read full article: Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approvalThe lower chamber overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 2, a sweeping $8 billion piece of legislation that would also limit schools’ reliance on teachers without formal classroom training.
School vouchers were passed in Arizona, here’s what could happen if Texas approves it
Read full article: School vouchers were passed in Arizona, here’s what could happen if Texas approves itAs the Texas House expects to vote on a bill to create a $1 billion school voucher, a showdown is expected between optimistic supporters and critics hoping to sink the vote again, as they did in 2023.
Texas House OKs bill that gives schools more latitude to discipline students
Read full article: Texas House OKs bill that gives schools more latitude to discipline studentsA last-minute amendment would require students to go to alternative education settings if they attack a teacher or make terroristic threats.
Texas House approves push to award Attorney General Ken Paxton back pay
Read full article: Texas House approves push to award Attorney General Ken Paxton back payThe vote instructs lawmakers who are negotiating a budget with the Senate to advocate for awarding Paxton the salary he missed while impeached over corruption allegations.
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.
The Texas Legislature is having big battles over gender and sexuality. Track them here.
Read full article: The Texas Legislature is having big battles over gender and sexuality. Track them here.Lawmakers are quietly pushing bills that would limit access to bathrooms and measures preventing trans people from changing government documents.
Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas House
Read full article: Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas HouseThe legislation was written after the state’s largest wildfire scorched more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle last year.
Lawmakers want to give schools more leeway to suspend Texas’ youngest and homeless students
Read full article: Lawmakers want to give schools more leeway to suspend Texas’ youngest and homeless studentsThe proposal aims to make working conditions safer for teachers but critics worry it could push the state’s most vulnerable students out of the classroom.
Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M system
Read full article: Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M systemSen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said Texas A&M is better positioned to grow the Victoria school and serve the region’s petrochemical and agriculture industries.
These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.
Read full article: These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.Most lawmakers — as well as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — want to invest big in water. Here are the proposals that would do it.
Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding
Read full article: Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education fundingProponents say the changes would better serve special education students with widely varying needs — and help schools pay for it.
Debate on House’s school voucher bill centers on a question: Should wealthy Texans be included?
Read full article: Debate on House’s school voucher bill centers on a question: Should wealthy Texans be included?The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.
Texas’ DOGE committee takes inspiration from Elon Musk’s federal operation
Read full article: Texas’ DOGE committee takes inspiration from Elon Musk’s federal operationThe new legislative panel has been tasked to reduce the size and scope of government. But Democrats say they’re not interested in replicating Musk’s slash-and-burn approach.
Texas House majority signs on to new bill restricting the use of bathrooms in public buildings by transgender people
Read full article: Texas House majority signs on to new bill restricting the use of bathrooms in public buildings by transgender peopleHouse Bill 239, which echoes a bathroom bill that failed in 2017, includes new provisions for shelters and prisons.
Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner dies
Read full article: Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner diesTurner’s death comes two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the seat long occupied by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who also died in office last year amid a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Voucher bills want to prioritize low-income families and be open to all students. Those goals might be at odds.
Read full article: Voucher bills want to prioritize low-income families and be open to all students. Those goals might be at odds.Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school funding
Read full article: Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school fundingThe proposal sets a few possible points of contention between the House and Senate, including how much money should families get through the program.
National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher bill
Read full article: National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher billSupporters of voucher-like education savings accounts are trying to press their advantage early and build a sense of inevitability.
Texas Senate votes in favor of proposals to deny bail to certain accused violent criminals
Read full article: Texas Senate votes in favor of proposals to deny bail to certain accused violent criminalsThe package was fast-tracked after Gov. Greg Abbott declared “bail reform” an emergency item. The bills now head to the House for consideration.
Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ “Big Three” have big plans and a wary new dynamic
Read full article: Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ “Big Three” have big plans and a wary new dynamicThe aggressive Republican agenda’s success depends on how well the three leaders harmonize their tactics and goals for the legislative session.
Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Read full article: Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through SenateSenate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.
Conservatives clinch longtime goal of booting Democrats from leadership ranks in Texas House
Read full article: Conservatives clinch longtime goal of booting Democrats from leadership ranks in Texas HouseConservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.
Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early drafts
Read full article: Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early draftsBoth chambers set aside $1 billion for a voucher-like education savings account program — double what was on the table two years ago — in a sign that supporters are emboldened after recent electoral gains.
Texas Democrats hope to benefit after boosting Dustin Burrows to House speaker
Read full article: Texas Democrats hope to benefit after boosting Dustin Burrows to House speakerThe Democrats’ short list of possible benefits: A leader who learned to keep promises, a chance at chairing committees, and what they see as more chances for a fairer playing field.
The Texas Legislature is back. Here’s what we’re watching.
Read full article: The Texas Legislature is back. Here’s what we’re watching.From debating school vouchers and improving the state’s water supply to reining in property taxes, the GOP-led body will look to pass its conservative priorities amid fighting within the party.
Texas lawmaker accuses state GOP chair of ethics violation over threats in House speaker race
Read full article: Texas lawmaker accuses state GOP chair of ethics violation over threats in House speaker raceRep. Cody Harris filed a complaint against Texas GOP Chair Abraham George for sending mailers and censuring lawmakers who support Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Read full article: A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.
Dustin Burrows on bipartisanship, school vouchers and why he still thinks he’ll be Texas House speaker
Read full article: Dustin Burrows on bipartisanship, school vouchers and why he still thinks he’ll be Texas House speakerIn a Q&A, Burrows said he’s still confident he’ll win. But he says the leadership race is bigger than any one person and his supporters are trying to protect the integrity of the House.
Gov. Greg Abbott signals support for David Cook over Dustin Burrows in GOP fight for House speaker
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott signals support for David Cook over Dustin Burrows in GOP fight for House speakerDays after the Texas House GOP caucus backed Cook, Abbott made clear that he expects Republican representatives to do the same.
Speaker Dade Phelan abandons bid for third term amid bruising leadership battle
Read full article: Speaker Dade Phelan abandons bid for third term amid bruising leadership battlePhelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.
How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace him
Read full article: How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace himThe two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.
Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development
Read full article: Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban DevelopmentTurner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration.
Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 session
Read full article: Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 sessionTuesday marked the first day lawmakers could file bills for next year’s legislative session.
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Read full article: Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott saysLast year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.
Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson case
Read full article: Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson caseThe AG also said he’d make a criminal referral against the lawmaker, who apologized for texting a Court of Criminal Appeals judge about a new trial for the death row inmate.
Republicans dominate fundraising in final weeks of Texas House battles
Read full article: Republicans dominate fundraising in final weeks of Texas House battlesAcross a dozen of the most competitive House races, Republicans raked in more than $11 million over the last month, compared to the nearly $3.5 million collectively raised by their Democratic counterparts.
Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Roberson’s case
Read full article: Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Roberson’s caseAfter the attorney general insisted on the death row inmate’s guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal.
Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhere
Read full article: Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhereDemocrats have long held an edge in South Texas, but Republicans see an opening there to expand their House majority.
Does Dade Phelan have the votes to keep his job as Texas House speaker? It depends on how you count.
Read full article: Does Dade Phelan have the votes to keep his job as Texas House speaker? It depends on how you count.Phelan appears to lack support from the majority of House Republicans, but he could still win with some Democratic support.
Republicans who want to oust Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan unanimously back state Rep. David Cook
Read full article: Republicans who want to oust Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan unanimously back state Rep. David CookFour GOP state representatives suspended their bids to challenge Phelan and 48 Republicans backed Cook, which could threaten Phelan’s shot at a third term.
Democrats hope anti-voucher campaign will help win back South Texas House seat
Read full article: Democrats hope anti-voucher campaign will help win back South Texas House seatThe first-term Republican defending her seat said a private school voucher program will help her community, especially students from low-income families.
State Rep. James Frank becomes fourth Republican to challenge Dade Phelan for House speaker
Read full article: State Rep. James Frank becomes fourth Republican to challenge Dade Phelan for House speakerFrank said he would work to bring better communication, member empowerment and management of the flow of legislation if he became the chamber’s leader.
“It’s time for big change”: Texas Republicans seeking to oust Speaker Dade Phelan present united front
Read full article: “It’s time for big change”: Texas Republicans seeking to oust Speaker Dade Phelan present united frontReps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson, both members of House Republican leadership, became the first two candidates to challenge Phelan’s speakership.
Another Republican is challenging Dade Phelan for Texas House speaker
Read full article: Another Republican is challenging Dade Phelan for Texas House speakerThe Texas House speaker race is becoming increasingly crowded. Phelan, who is under fire from his right, says he plans to seek the leadership position again.
Jeff Yass, billionaire school voucher advocate, gives Greg Abbott another $4 million
Read full article: Jeff Yass, billionaire school voucher advocate, gives Greg Abbott another $4 millionThe donation follows another $6 million Yass gave Abbott in January, which the governor’s campaign said was the largest single donation in Texas history.
Four Texas House Republicans censured for campaigning against incumbents
Read full article: Four Texas House Republicans censured for campaigning against incumbentsThe censured members said they had been punished for campaigning against “liberal incumbents” alongside statewide elected officials like Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Here’s how school vouchers, Paxton impeachment affected the Texas GOP primaries
Read full article: Here’s how school vouchers, Paxton impeachment affected the Texas GOP primariesGov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton crusaded against House Republicans who voted against school vouchers and in favor of impeachment, respectively.
State Rep. Shelby Slawson says she’s running for House speaker in letter condemning Phelan
Read full article: State Rep. Shelby Slawson says she’s running for House speaker in letter condemning PhelanThe announcement came two days after Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, narrowly survived a runoff challenge from the GOP’s hard right.
Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggle
Read full article: Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggleNeither of the Texas GOP’s dueling factions landed a clean knockout blow during a grueling primary season that only seemed to set up further chaos and strife.
Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers
Read full article: Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchersSix of eight GOP incumbents lost their races. Gov. Greg Abbott declared he “now has enough votes to pass school choice.”
Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far right
Read full article: Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far rightPhelan’s primary has emerged as a last stand for the Republican Party’s business-minded establishment against an insurgency primarily motivated by social and cultural issues.
Heat intensifies around Houston Democrat Shawn Thierry ahead of bitter runoff
Read full article: Heat intensifies around Houston Democrat Shawn Thierry ahead of bitter runoffCongresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat who previously served in the Texas House with Thierry, spoke at a campaign event where she condemned her former colleague.
Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakers
Read full article: Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakersThere is no process in Texas for a voter-driven statewide referendum. So, supporters are going city by city to build statewide momentum.
Decayed power pole sparked the largest wildfire in state history, Texas House committee confirms
Read full article: Decayed power pole sparked the largest wildfire in state history, Texas House committee confirmsA lack of air support and ineffective coordination hurt efforts to contain this year's Panhandle fires, the committee said.
After no contest plea, a Texas representative’s charges for impersonating a public servant are dismissed
Read full article: After no contest plea, a Texas representative’s charges for impersonating a public servant are dismissedIn June 2022, state Rep. Frederick Frazier was indicted on two charges of impersonating a public servant. A Collin County district judge dismissed the misdemeanor charges as part of his deferred adjudication.
Gov. Greg Abbott endorses U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales amid primary runoff attacks that he’s a RINO
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott endorses U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales amid primary runoff attacks that he’s a RINOGonzales, 43, faces Brandon Herrera in the May primary runoff election for South Texas District 23.
Texas House GOP hardliners issue list of demands for a next speaker
Read full article: Texas House GOP hardliners issue list of demands for a next speakerThe two dozen Republican signatories called on the next House leader to commit to their list of conservative demands that served as a repudiation of Speaker Dade Phelan.
Houston area representatives call for hearing on allegations of HISD violating state law
Read full article: Houston area representatives call for hearing on allegations of HISD violating state lawNine Houston area state representatives have written a letter to the Speaker of the Texas House requesting a public hearing on allegations that Houston ISD violated state law by having unaccredited teachers in the classroom.
House Speaker Dade Phelan’s immigration record central in bid to oust him
Read full article: House Speaker Dade Phelan’s immigration record central in bid to oust himThe Beaumont Republican’s foes are trying to paint him as soft on the border, even after last year’s passage of far-reaching laws and record border funding.
Amid white supremacist scandal, far-right billionaire powerbrokers see historic election gains in Texas
Read full article: Amid white supremacist scandal, far-right billionaire powerbrokers see historic election gains in TexasAll told, 11 of the 28 House candidates supported by Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks won their primaries outright, and another eight are headed to runoffs this May.
House Speaker Dade Phelan took a risk on Paxton’s impeachment. It may end his career.
Read full article: House Speaker Dade Phelan took a risk on Paxton’s impeachment. It may end his career.The May 28 runoff promises to be an expensive, high-profile contest that will help reshape the political dynamics of the Texas House.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson victorious after surprise challenge from Rep. Victoria Neave Criado
Read full article: State Sen. Nathan Johnson victorious after surprise challenge from Rep. Victoria Neave CriadoJohnson is virtually assured to have won the seat, because there is no Republican challenger in November.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton beat impeachment. Now he wants Super Tuesday revenge on his foes
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton beat impeachment. Now he wants Super Tuesday revenge on his foesTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton beat impeachment, and now he wants political revenge.
Rep. Victoria Neave Criado launched a surprise bid against fellow Democrat Sen. Nathan Johnson. Here’s why she did it.
Read full article: Rep. Victoria Neave Criado launched a surprise bid against fellow Democrat Sen. Nathan Johnson. Here’s why she did it.In a district composed mostly of communities of color, Neave Criado hopes to topple Johnson with her stances on immigration, domestic violence and women’s issues.
Texas House candidate Kyle Biedermann blasts expulsion of Bryan Slaton, removed for having sex with a drunk intern
Read full article: Texas House candidate Kyle Biedermann blasts expulsion of Bryan Slaton, removed for having sex with a drunk internIn a statement, Biedermann said the point he was trying to make was that leaders “selectively punish impropriety.”
Hospitalized Texas Democrat Al Green rushed to Capitol for impeachment vote in scrubs, saving Mayorkas
Read full article: Hospitalized Texas Democrat Al Green rushed to Capitol for impeachment vote in scrubs, saving MayorkasThe Houston Democrat is recovering from abdominal surgery. Democrats did not expect him to attend the vote, but his surprise appearance sank the impeachment vote.