Texas Will Have an $18.6 Billion Surplus
The updated comptroller’s report raises the amount of revenue available to the state over the 2024-25 cycle to $194.6 billion.
Texas’ Open Records Law Routinely Denied
At the annual conference of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, lawmakers described how government officials fail to meet transparency requirements.
Lawmakers Approve School Safety Bill
The provision to require an armed person at every school campus was added back into the bill during the negotiation process after the Senate took it out earlier in the session.
Texas Cities Again Lead Population Growth
Texas took four of the 10 top spots among the nation’s fastest-growing cities, with the Austin metro area overall seeing some of the most significant growth.
Paxton and Normangee ISD Announce Settlement
Attorney General Paxton and Normangee Independent School District (“Normangee ISD”) announced a settlement with UBS in the amount of $850,000.
Judicial Branch Expansion Among New Texas Laws
Some laws passed in 2021 are just now taking effect.
Texas Can’t Ban 18- to 20-Year-Olds from Carrying Handguns
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who cited the Second Amendment in his decision, stayed the ruling pending appeal.
Court Tosses DHS Rule Letting Dangerous Criminal Aliens Off the Hook
Paxton argued that the Biden rule was contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, failed to go through certain requisite procedures, and should therefore be set aside by the court.
Texas’ third special legislative session
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office says there’s no plan for a fourth special session at this time.
Texas’ Second Special Session of the Year is Over
Lawmakers will return to Austin at least one more time this year to redraw the state's political maps.
666 New Texas Laws Go Into Effect Sept. 1.
The new laws will affect abortion access, social studies curriculum and cities that trim the budgets of law enforcement.
State Rep. Ron Reynolds and U.S. Rep. Al Green arrested
Reynolds is among the Texas House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., last month to block a state voting restrictions bill.
Global Opioid Settlement
The agreement also requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from happening again.
Lone Star State’s Jobs Surge
Texas employers added 55,800 jobs over the month, marking job growth in 13 of the last 14 months, as the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent.
Texas House Vote to Track Down Absent Democrats
The Texas House was locked into place Tuesday after the chamber voted to send law enforcement after Democrats who left the state a day early.
Texas Democrats Runaway From Official Duty
Texas Democrats said they are urging Congress again to pass federal voting laws, acknowledging that Gov. Greg Abbott would continue to call special sessions until the GOP elections bill was passed.
Texas House Democrats Flee the State to Block Voting Restriction Bill
A majority of Democrats in the Texas House left for Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon in a bid to again deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass new voting restrictions.
Texas Constitutional Carry Takes Effect September 1, 2021
Under the new law, Texans will longer need that licensing to carry a handgun. However, a background check is still required for the purchase of a firearm.
Texas Moves to Prevent law Enforcement Budget Cuts
The Senate measure would require major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets.
Face Masks no Longer Required at Texas Public Schools
Gov. Greg. Abbott says no public schools or government entities will be allowed to require masks.