Abbott, Patrick, Phelan race to negotiate priority issues as deadlines loom Seeking to avoid a special session, the state leaders discuss school choice, property taxes and grid reform. The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2023
Texas House passes bill to end diversity, equity and inclusion offices in higher education DALLAS — In a 83-62 vote, the Texas House passed a bill Monday to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs from the state’s public colleges and universities. Tribune News Service · May 22, 2023
Texas Senate passes revamped school funding bill in last-minute bid to implement voucher program Texas senators have latched education savings accounts to a school funding bill in a last-ditch effort to avoid a special session. But some House members are furious at the revamped version and have vowed not to let it become law. The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2023
With one week left, Texas’ top leaders make their final legislative push With one week left in the Texas legislative session, top leaders are making their final push to get their somewhat disparate agendas approved. Tribune News Service · May 22, 2023
As Texas Republican senators march in lockstep, Robert Nichols is willing to break away Whether it’s supporting a rape exception for abortion or opposing school choice, Nichols has gone his own way on certain GOP priorities. The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2023
The killing of a migrant on the border looms over this West Texas town SIERRA BLANCA, Texas — The shooting looms over this West Texas town like a storm cloud in the spring. Tribune News Service · May 22, 2023
Editorial: Going the Ron way: DeSantis’ new immigration law and culture wars will backfire Ron DeSantis doesn’t just want to run for the presidency, the Florida governor seems to already have declared himself president as he tries to wrest clear federal responsibilities away from the U.S. government with a new Florida law that heavily penalizes employment of undocumented immigrants, gives state officials more authority… Tribune News Service · May 22, 2023
Texas Senate committee revamps school funding bill to revive voucher-like proposal The Senate education committee has drastically changed House Bill 100 after Gov. Greg Abbott signaled he would call a special session if a voucher-like program didn’t pass. The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2023
Texas Senate passes school safety bill that would require districts to bolster their active-shooter plans Both chambers have said school safety is a priority this session after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Uvalde elementary school last year. The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2023
Economic incentives clear Senate committee as negotiations continue Lawmakers are trying hard to come up with an agreement on how to replace an embattled 20-year tax abatement program for big companies that expired in December. The Texas Tribune · May 21, 2023
Texas House’s weekend off means key Senate bills die after missing a legislative deadline Priority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that is still alive. The Texas Tribune · May 20, 2023
Time runs out for taxpayer-funded private school tuition bill as special session looms Gov. Greg Abbott has already signaled he would call a special session if lawmakers failed to pass a voucher-like program open to all students. The Texas Tribune · May 20, 2023
Here's why Ron DeSantis is already toast No Republican can beat Trump, because no one else can command his coalition of damaged, discarded, marginal people Salon · May 20, 2023
Expiration of Title 42 border rule prompts much rhetoric, less action The end of a pandemic-era policy that allowed U.S. border authorities to quickly turn back some migrants has prompted a mixed reaction from state and local governments, including new restrictions on immigrant workers, beefed up border enforcement and entreaties for more federal help. Tribune News Service · May 20, 2023
The Guardian - US · May 20, 2023 Vigilante fears as Texas Republicans push for special unit to detain migrants New proposal aims to establish taskforce composed of civilians with previous military experience to stop migrants crossing border
The Texas Tribune · May 19, 2023 Unanimous Texas Senate supports death benefits for National Guard serving along southern border The legislation was named for Bishop Evans, who drowned last year trying to rescue migrants in the Rio Grande.
The Texas Tribune · May 19, 2023 TribCast: Is a special session of the Texas Legislature inevitable? In this week’s episode, we discuss the long odds facing the school choice bill and the possibility of Gov. Greg Abbott calling lawmakers back for a special session.
The Texas Tribune · May 19, 2023 Texas attorney general investigating second children’s hospital for transition-related care The Legislature recently passed a bill that would bar minors from receiving this medical care, but it has not yet been signed or gone into effect.
InsideEVs · May 19, 2023 Texas EV Owners To Pay $200 A Year To Renew Registration The new EV tax is dedicated to the state highway fund, as is the 20-cent per gallon gas tax paid by owners of hybrids and gas-powered vehicles.
WEKU · May 19, 2023 Houston lesbian bar was denied insurance coverage for hosting drag shows, owner says Julie Mabry, who opened Pearl Bar in 2013, said the bar was created to provide a safe space for those in Houston's LGBTQ+ community.
Chicago Tribune · May 19, 2023 Editorial: Chicago's new mayor inherits the migrant crisis. Does he have a plan? Will he share it? It was widely expected that massive numbers of migrants would stream into the U.S. following the expiration Thursday of Title 42, the COVID-19-era policy that allowed border authorities to rapidly return most migrants who had crossed into the U.S. illegally. Instead, the border has been relatively quiet, with roughly 4,200…
The Texas Tribune · May 19, 2023 Texas bill barring anonymous reporting of child abuse heads to Gov. Greg Abbott House Bill 63 is an attempt to reduce the amount of vindictive or false child abuse reports made to the state, but child advocates say it will deter valid reports, too.
The Texas Tribune · May 18, 2023 Texas has begun busing migrants to Denver, Gov. Greg Abbott announces Colorado’s capital becomes the fifth Democratic-run destination for immigrants transported from the Texas-Mexico border region.
Chicago Sun-Times · May 18, 2023 More respite centers in Hispanic neighborhoods key to reducing migrant crisis tensions in Chicago, mayor’s floor leader says Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa wouldn’t say where the new centers could be, only that the administration was “very close to moving on a number of locations, some big and some small, primarily in Spanish-speaking communities.”
The Guardian - US · May 18, 2023 Texas doctors depart as attorney general investigates hospital’s gender-affirming care An investigation by the state into adolescent transgender care resulted in the curtailment of treatment for transitioning children