Like an 80’s horror villain, legislation in the Texas Capitol has a habit of coming back to life after it seems dead. However, in the case of Medicaid expansion, it does appear that any hope of passing in this legislative cycle is officially kaput. An amendment to the...
Texas Legislature
back to archiveHouston activists, grassroots groups call on Dutton Jr. to resign
Houston area political action groups, activists, and unions gathered outside the office of Democratic state Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. on Tuesday to call for his resignation. “It’s better if he goes now than in the next election,” said Alexis Melvin, president of...
The picture book that prompted a school censorship bill in the Texas House
In the wee hours this morning, Texas Republicans voted for preliminary approval of House Bill 3979. The legislation, recorded as “relating to the social studies curriculum in public school,” is part of a larger effort by Texas Republicans to stomp out any trace of...
Anti-trans sports bill revived in house committee
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...
Texas 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...
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 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...
Anti-trans sports bill dies in Texas House
Senate Bill 29, a bill banning transgender students from competing in sports teams of their gender, failed to receive the votes to make it out of the Texas House Public Education Committee. The bill was sent to the public education committee after it passed the...