The Latest Breaking News from Greg Abbott

Kevin McCarthy's farcical "energy bill"

The new speaker's signature bill is a wasteful giveaway to fossil-fuel companies — that will only drive prices up

Salon · Mar 22, 2023

Gov. Greg Abbott organizes “school choice” rally at the Capitol

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has embraced Senate Bill 8, which will get its first committee hearing Wednesday. But House Speaker Dade Phelan hasn’t made school choice legislation a priority.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 21, 2023

Supporters of school choice in Texas seek to sway rural Republicans

DALLAS — Republicans behind an aggressive push for school choice this session are angling to break the bond that previously thwarted voucherlike efforts in Texas: an unlikely coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats.

Tribune News Service · Mar 21, 2023

Texas, Florida push border laws as governors eye presidency

Texas and Florida are being led by tough-talking Republican governors weighing presidential runs as their state lawmakers debate especially strict legislation on border security

The Independent UK · Mar 17, 2023

“We just want parity”: Military groups call on lawmakers to give Operation Lone Star troops death benefits

Law enforcement officers who serve on Operation Lone Star get a $500,000 death benefit for their survivors if they die on duty. But National Guard troops on the same mission don’t get a dime from the state for their families if they die.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 16, 2023

Texas AG Ken Paxton pushes court to reconsider injunction halting investigations into affirming care

In the state’s final brief to appeal a September injunction that halted the investigation into Texas parents of transgender children, Paxton argued that individual families must provide evidence of harm from the actions of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 16, 2023

Senate passes bill opening door for prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with murder

Gov. Greg Abbott and state lawmakers have taken a tough-on-drugs approach to the fentanyl crisis, primarily pushing efforts to increase criminal penalties.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 15, 2023

Texas Senate confirms Jane Nelson as secretary of state

Nelson’s former colleagues in the Senate gave her resounding approval, avoiding another embarrassment for Gov. Greg Abbott, whose last three nominations for secretary of state did not receive confirmation.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 15, 2023

Texas GOP's drag "bounty hunter" bill

Lawmakers have introduced six anti-drag bills, including one that would allow people to sue drag performers

Salon · Mar 15, 2023

Texas Democrats and Republicans are on the hunt for rare chances to flip seats in 2024

The dearth of competitive down-ballot races could contrast with the last few election cycles in Texas, when multiple congressional seats and state legislative seats drew significant national investment.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 15, 2023