GOP voting bill advances to Texas House floor after overnight committee hearing

GOP voting bill advances to Texas House floor after overnight committee hearing

Authors of voting legislation in the House and Senate are moving to ban drive-thru and 24-hour voting options, enhance access for partisan poll watchers and prohibit local election officials from proactively distributing applications to request mail-in ballots. Both bills also include language to further restrict the state’s voting-by-mail rules, including new ID requirements for absentee voters.

Authors of voting legislation in the House and Senate are moving to ban drive-thru and 24-hour voting options, enhance access for partisan poll watchers and prohibit local election officials from proactively distributing applications to request mail-in ballots. Both bills also include language to further restrict the state’s voting-by-mail rules, including new ID requirements for absentee voters.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has colossal $55 million war chest for 2022 reelection bid

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has colossal $55 million war chest for 2022 reelection bid

Abbott’s campaign coffers hit the balance after he raised over $18.7 million during the last 10 days of June, his campaign announced Thursday. The campaign said the cash-on-hand total was larger “than any other statewide candidate in Texas history.”

Abbott’s campaign coffers hit the balance after he raised over $18.7 million during the last 10 days of June, his campaign announced Thursday. The campaign said the cash-on-hand total was larger “than any other statewide candidate in Texas history.”

Bail Reform, Election Security lead Special Session Agenda with no action planned on Texas power grid

Bail Reform, Election Security lead Special Session Agenda with no action planned on Texas power grid

State lawmakers will be heading to Austin for a special legislative session. Among the issues to be addressed are violent crime, elections, and the border. The agenda does not include any action to improve the reliability of the Texas power grid.

State lawmakers will be heading to Austin for a special legislative session. Among the issues to be addressed are violent crime, elections, and the border. The agenda does not include any action to improve the reliability of the Texas power grid.

Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1

Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1

Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry.

Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry.

Effort to curb governors' pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature

Effort to curb governors' pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature

The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.”

The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.”

After drastic changes made behind closed doors, and an overnight debate, Texas Senate approves voting bill

After drastic changes made behind closed doors, and an overnight debate, Texas Senate approves voting bill

Senate Bill 7 includes provisions to limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further tighten voting-by-mail. The upper chamber suspended its own rules to approve it after debating it for hours overnight.

Senate Bill 7 includes provisions to limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further tighten voting-by-mail. The upper chamber suspended its own rules to approve it after debating it for hours overnight.

Local groups gather to protest on wheels

Local groups gather to protest on wheels

Organizations including Black Voters Matter and the Texas Organizing Project arranged a caravan to Beaumont, Texas with stops at House Speaker Dade Phelan's home and office to protest the controversial voting restrictions bill.

Organizations including Black Voters Matter and the Texas Organizing Project arranged a caravan to Beaumont, Texas with stops at House Speaker Dade Phelan's home and office to protest the controversial voting restrictions bill.

Texas’ divisive bill limiting how students learn about current events and historic racism passed by Senate

Texas’ divisive bill limiting how students learn about current events and historic racism passed by Senate

The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught.

The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught.

Gov. Abbott announces $2.5 billion in food benefits for Texas families in need

Gov. Abbott announces $2.5 billion in food benefits for Texas families in need

With the COVID-19 pandemic still a threat to the U.S. and Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday more help is on the way for families in need.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still a threat to the U.S. and Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday more help is on the way for families in need.

Federal unemployment benefits cut in the State of Texas
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Federal unemployment benefits cut in the State of Texas

In a move to help employers find employees, Gov. Abbott has pulled federal benefits that allowed people to get paid more money than many employers are offering.

In a move to help employers find employees, Gov. Abbott has pulled federal benefits that allowed people to get paid more money than many employers are offering.

After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioning

After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioning

The bill approved by the House aims to cool all of Texas’ prisons before 2029. But even if it is signed into law, the lockups will only be air conditioned if lawmakers provide funds for installation.

The bill approved by the House aims to cool all of Texas’ prisons before 2029. But even if it is signed into law, the lockups will only be air conditioned if lawmakers provide funds for installation.

Lawsuit accuses Biden administration of threatening Texas' health care funding

Lawsuit accuses Biden administration of threatening Texas' health care funding

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit, filed Friday, argues that the Trump-era extension of the federal 1115 Medicaid funding waiver was lawful and that overturning it was a political move.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit, filed Friday, argues that the Trump-era extension of the federal 1115 Medicaid funding waiver was lawful and that overturning it was a political move.

Bill allowing permitless carrying of handguns will get hashed out behind closed doors

Bill allowing permitless carrying of handguns will get hashed out behind closed doors

House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.

House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.