Senate Bill 29, which many had assumed died a few days ago, was revived in the Public Education Committee where it passed 8-5, and now heads to the state house. SB 29, a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would essentially ban transgender students from...
Policy
back to archiveTexas House advances Briscoe Cain’s sweeping election conspiracy bill
After hours of debate Thursday evening that stretched into the next morning, lawmakers in the Texas House advanced Senate Bill 7 on Friday. Lawmakers voted 81-64 to advance a house version of the bill by authored Briscoe Cain. If signed into law, the sweeping...
Businesses speak out against voter suppression bills
A large number of businesses, ranging from large corporations to local businesses, are criticizing the GOP’s voter suppression proposals in Texas. Two letters have been released this week urging the Texas legislature to stop efforts aimed at making voting more...
HPD adopts police reform policies
Two weeks after the guilty verdict of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin who killed Houstonian George Floyd, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced policy adoptions that will reform policing in Harris County. ...
Texas Democrats blast House Bill 6 ahead of vote
Ahead of an expected vote on House Bill 6, Democratic lawmakers gathered in front of the Texas State Capitol to denounce the voter suppression legislation. House Bill 6 would restrict voting in Texas in a number of ways, including limiting voting hours and polling...
Permitless carry passes Texas Senate
A Texas House bill legalizing permitless carry of handguns in the state passed 18-12 in the Texas Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 1927 is close to reaching Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, who has promised to sign it into law. The legislation will return to the state...
Texas House passes bill banning abortion after 5-6 weeks of pregnancy
On Wednesday, lawmakers in the Texas House voted 81-63 to preliminarily pass a bill that would ban abortion after several weeks of pregnancy. If passed into law, Senate Bill 8 would prevent a doctor from performing an abortion if they can detect a heartbeat in a...
Op-Ed: A school district takeover at any cost
A pair of bills approaching a vote in the Texas House will significantly expand state power over local school districts. The bills, authored by Senator Bettencourt and Representative Dutton, are aimed at Houston ISD but will impact all public school districts in the...
Texas legislature considers the CROWN Act
On Thursday, the Texas House of Representatives left HB 392 or the CROWN Act pending in the Senate Affairs committee. If passed, the bill would ban discrimination on the basis of texture or protective styles like twists, locs, braids and knots. The CROWN...