TXLEGE 2021
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Favorites of 2021: The Book They Blamed
Someone paid to have copies of Anastasia Higginbotham's book sent to all 150 members of the Texas house, according to a letter sent by the bill’s author, State Rep. Steve Toth over the summer, while House Bill 3979 was being debated.
U.S. Justice Department Sues Texas Over Redistricting
Texas lawmakers illegally discriminated against voters of color by drawing new political districts that give white voters more political power despite rapid growth of Hispanic and Black populations, the department claims in its lawsuit.
(Read time: 5 minutes)
Political Operative Possibly on State Payroll for Redistricting
Adam Foltz, now on the Texas payroll, played a key role in Wisconsin's redistricting last decade. A federal court threw out some of the maps and called the effort Foltz was involved in "an all but shameful attempt to hide the redistricting process from public scrutiny."
(Read time: 5.2 minutes)
Proposed House Redistricting Shifts Allred’s District
An early proposed map of Texas congressional districts shows a shift in Rep. Colin Allred's district that would likely take most of District 32 out of Preston Hollow and the Park Cities altogether.
(Read time: 3.9 minutes)
Proposed Map Would Change State Senators for Park Cities, Preston Hollow
Voters (and lawmakers) got the first glimpse at one of the redistricting maps submitted over the weekend, just as a third special session gavels in to tackle the task of divvying up the state’s voters.
(Read time: 4.1 minutes)
Abbott Calls Third Special Session
On top of redistricting, Abbott wants lawmakers to take up bills on restrictions for transgender student-athletes and the allocation of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
(Read time: 5.1 minutes)
Here’s What You Should Know About New Laws in Effect Sept. 1
It may seem like forever ago, but hundreds of bills were signed by Gov. Greg Abbott from the regular legislative session this summer — and 666 of them went into effect Sept. 1.
(Read time: 4.1 minutes)
Election Law Headed to Abbott’s Desk
Senate Bill 1 rewrites Texas election laws to further restrict the voting-by-mail process and outlaw local voting initiatives meant to widen access.
(Read time: 5.1 minutes)
Troopers Sent to Round Up Absent House Democrats
The Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for absent House Democrats’ civil arrests after it temporarily blocked Harris County judges’ orders protecting them from such a move.
(Read time: 5.2 minutes)
Abbott Announces Special Session Starts Saturday
The governor said Thursday the second special session will get underway at noon Saturday, with a 17-item agenda.
(Read time: 4.5 minutes)
Voters Weigh in on Legislature in Statewide and Local Polls
The Texas Legislature’s regular session ended in May, with promises of additional special sessions to address items Gov. Greg Abbott felt were neglected — including bills designed to address how we vote, critical race theory, and more.
(Read time: 3.6 minutes)
Coronavirus
COVID Surge Shaping Back-to-School Discussions
In less than a week, some Dallas schools will open their doors and begin welcoming students — just in time for what many health experts say could be a resurgence of COVID-19 thanks to newer, more contagious variants.
(Read time: 6.9 minutes)
Texas Lawmakers File Bill To Prevent Big 12 Exodus
A group of Texas lawmakers filed legislation Friday that would prohibit Texas public colleges and universities from switching their affiliations with collegiate athletic conferences without approval from the Legislature.
(Read time: 4.9 minutes)
Texas Senate Advances ‘Anti-CRT’ Bill
It's largely symbolic, but the Texas Senate is nearing the end of its work on Republican priorities for the special legislative session after passing bills limiting "critical race theory" and abortion access Friday.
(Read time: 7.1 minutes)
House Republicans Make Moves to Arrest Decamping Democrats
True to their word, House Democrats left Texas for Washington D.C. Monday afternoon, landing Monday evening and nearly immediately embarking on a round of interviews with various news outlets.
Texas House Democrats Preparing to Flee the State
A majority of Democrats in the Texas House plan to fly to Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon in a bid to again deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass new voting restrictions with 27 days left in a special legislative session called largely for that purpose.
Abbott Announces Special Session Agenda
Abbott also put border security and restoring funding to the Legislative branch — which he vetoed last month — on the special session agenda.
State Rep. John Turner Won’t Seek Re-election
State Rep. John Turner, D-Dallas, Monday announced that he won’t seek a third term.
Take Our People-Powered Texas Legislative Survey
As the Texas legislature heads into a special session on July 8, we want your opinions on the work lawmakers have done so far.
Texans Oppose Permitless Carry, But Support Expanding Medicaid, Tribune Poll Says
The Legislature gaveled out after passing bills on abortion, guns, police budgets and the Texas power grid. Here’s how Texas voters feel about the results.