The Latest Breaking News from Mayes Middleton

Prayer period in schools backed by Texas Legislature

A House vote showed broad support for the measure that would let districts set aside time for prayer or religious study.

The Texas Tribune · May 22, 2025

Republicans Push to Define Biological Sex in Statute

“If biological sex were as obvious as lawmakers keep insisting that biological sex is, we wouldn’t be here.”

Texas Observer · May 20, 2025

State Rep. Dennis Paul announces bid for Texas Senate with backing from Dan Patrick

Paul is the first candidate out of the gate to succeed incumbent Mayes Middleton in an open seat running from Galveston to the outskirts of Houston.

The Texas Tribune · May 8, 2025

Lawmakers weigh moving bingo operations out of Texas Lottery’s purview amid agency’s uncertain future

A possible reassignment of the charitable games comes as 15 bills in the Legislature seek to either alter or abolish the troubled agency.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 18, 2025

A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance

The bill would have set deadlines for the oil and gas industry to plug inactive wells, which can pose a danger to the environment.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 12, 2025

In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their side

Past efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 12, 2025

Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown

Legislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 6, 2025

We ranked Texas senators across the ideological spectrum based on their 2023 votes

Here’s a look at Senate members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on their votes cast during the 2023 regular session and four special sessions.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 18, 2023

Sweeping ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers heads to governor

The legislation, which Republican lawmakers have been trying to pass since 2021, offers no exceptions for doctors’ offices, clinics or other health facilities.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 31, 2023

Ban on COVID vaccine mandates by private businesses, including health care facilities, passes Texas Senate

The bill offers no exceptions for doctors’ offices, clinics or other health facilities. Senators agreed to let those entities require unvaccinated employees to wear personal protective gear or take other “reasonable” measures to manage the spread.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 13, 2023