The Latest Breaking News from Paul Bettencourt

Legislature enters homestretch with many of the session’s biggest issues unresolved

The list of potential hurdles includes property tax cuts, school choice, the power grid, the state budget, plus diversity and tenure in higher education.

The Texas Tribune · May 5, 2023

Election legislation roundup: Texas State Senate

As of April 9, Ballotpedia has tracked 113 election-related bills in the Texas State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 113, Ballotpedia tracked seven from April 3-9. Republicans sponsored six, while Democrats sponsored one. Five of seven bills are below:   

Ballotpedia · Apr 12, 2023

Rift grows between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan over how to cut property taxes

The Senate wants to raise the homestead exemption. The House wants to tighten the appraisal cap. Both chambers’ leaders are skeptical of each other’s proposal.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 31, 2023

These bills could reshape Texas elections, voter fraud penalties

AUSTIN, Texas — Elections have remained a hot button issue among Democrats and Republicans amid continued concerns about election security stoked by a rise in misinformation and disinformation that arose with the election of former President Donald Trump in 2016.

Tribune News Service · Feb 21, 2023

Texas Senate leaders signal intent to spend big on border security

The state has spent $4 billion on border initiatives in the past two years, including $40 million to bus migrants out of Texas into Democrat-led cities.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 3, 2023

Here’s what you need to know about the fight over property tax cuts in the Texas Legislature

Republicans are wrestling over how much of the state’s nearly $33 billion budget surplus to spend on property taxes. Democrats have their own ideas about what to do with the cash.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 31, 2023

Texas’ private and rural schools again brace for a showdown on school choice

Rural school leaders in Texas have been able to stave off the legislative priority of some of the state’s most prominent Republicans. But private school officials hope this year will be different.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 31, 2023

Texas GOP pushes new voting bills

Democrats are seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledge to make elections more secure

Salon · Jan 25, 2023

Two years after Texas’ voting rights showdown gripped the nation, lawmakers again push dozens of elections bills

State policymakers have mapped out familiar territory early in the legislative session, with Democrats seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledging to make elections more secure.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 25, 2023

Property tax revision, judicial branch expansion among new Texas laws that took effect Jan. 1

While the Legislature will soon start its new session, some laws passed in 2021 are just now taking effect.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 2, 2023