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.

Medicaid expansion for uninsured Texans had bipartisan support, but lawmakers won't pass it this session

Medicaid expansion for uninsured Texans had bipartisan support, but lawmakers won't pass it this session

Nothing is truly dead until the session ends. But committee chairs in both chambers have blocked bills from getting hearings, and supporters have dim hopes that Republican leaders will revive it in time.

Nothing is truly dead until the session ends. But committee chairs in both chambers have blocked bills from getting hearings, and supporters have dim hopes that Republican leaders will revive it in time.

Texas bill could mean charges for parents, doctors who allow kids to undergo gender affirmation surgeries

Texas bill could mean charges for parents, doctors who allow kids to undergo gender affirmation surgeries

Texas lawmakers are now considering a bill that would make it a crime for parents to allow their kids to undergo a gender affirmation surgery. The bill says parents who consent to that treatment could be guilty of child abuse.

Texas lawmakers are now considering a bill that would make it a crime for parents to allow their kids to undergo a gender affirmation surgery. The bill says parents who consent to that treatment could be guilty of child abuse.