Texas House Advances Bill Decriminalizing Fentanyl Test Strips
The bill would take fentanyl test strips off the state’s “drug paraphernalia” list, meaning it would no longer be a crime to carry them.
Federal Judge Suspends FDA Approval of Abortion Pill
The ruling from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo could potentially upend access to medication abortion nationwide.
Concealed Carry Improvement Act
The amicus brief filed in Hardaway and Boyd’s case highlights that there is effectively no historical basis for a ban on the possession of firearms in places of worship.
Texas has the Fifth-Highest Percentage of Lead Water Pipes
The EPA estimates that 7% of water lines in Texas are lead based.
Lawsuits to Shut Down Illicit Massage Businesses
An estimated 9,000 illicit massage businesses currently operate in the United States, 700 of which are believed to be in Texas.
Paxton Seeks Injunction to Stop $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Bill
Because the $1.7 trillion bill did not lawfully pass in the House of Representatives, it was unlawful for Joe Biden to sign the bill and, following the signing, for his Administration to implement it as law.
Beekeepers Afraid This New Legislation Will Sting
Beekeepers say the proposed legislation is too stiff and doesn’t take into account real-world production issues.
House Committee Clears Bill to Expand Gambling
Gaming advocates are pushing to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas.
Texas Observer Editors Protest Layoffs
Journalists at the publication expect to be laid off this week. Relations between the board and senior staff have severely eroded.
Texas Observer is Closing
The 68-year-old publication hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said.
SNAP Recipients Will See a Cut in Food Benefits
During the lockdowns, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month.
Lawmakers Debate Legalizing Gambling
Supporters stressed that the efforts would be an economic boon for the state, creating thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue, while opponents appealed to lawmakers’ sense of family values, stressing the immorality of legalizing the potentially addictive gaming.
Texas Voters to Register, Prepare for May 6th Local Elections
Early voting begins on Monday, April 24th and runs through Tuesday, May 2nd. Election Day is Saturday, May 6th.
West Texas A&M University Cancels Drag Show
Lawyers say President Walter Wendler’s portrayal of drag shows is off base.
Community-Based Care Expansion Announced
Community Based Care includes many of the services that Child Protective Services normally provides including foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services.
Electricity Prices too High During Winter Storm
The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found.
In Rural Counties, Texas Law Puts Low-Income Defendants at a Disadvantage
A two-tiered system gives less populated counties more time to provide court-appointed lawyers, requiring creative responses to a long-standing problem.
Paxton Secures Major Victory to Shut Down Texas Robocallers
These defendants blasted billions of illegal robocalls to people across the country, bombarding Texans with hundreds of millions of robocalls.
T.E.A Ready to Find New Leaders for Houston School District
Texas’ education agency first moved to take over the district in 2019 after years of low student performance at a single Houston ISD high school.
Secretary Nelson Announces Structural Changes
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced structural changes to the Texas Secretary of State's Elections Division.