TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle talked schools, abortion and guns in advance of next year’s session in a range of panels at The Texas Tribune Festival.

At the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, the Texas House speaker also signaled willingness to consider exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.

A pregnant Texas woman said her fetus should count as a person in an HOV lane. That legal question is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the thorny question of “personhood.”

White, the only Black Republican in the Legislature, leaves office after 11 years and a failed run for agriculture commissioner.

HHSC said it was initially told the plan was “not approvable.” Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a statement Friday saying Texas’ plan to extend coverage to six months was not rejected but still under review.

In a letter to the Texas House committee investigating the state’s deadliest school shooting, Robb Elementary principal Mandy Gutierrez says school leaders weren’t complacent about security.

The House committee investigating the Uvalde school shooting said it intended to publish the report in both languages but was unable to get it translated before a meeting last Sunday when the English version was released.

A total of 376 officers converged on Robb Elementary School, more than the entire police force in a mid-size American city like Fort Lauderdale, Florida or Tempe, Arizona.

The full Texas House Investigative Report, as well as hallway and body cam footage from inside Robb Elementary have now been released. However the shooting victims' families are telling their state Senator Roland Gutierrez, that's not enough.

The department’s officers made up nearly one-fourth of the 376 law enforcement members who responded to Texas’ deadliest school shooting. Announcement of the inquiry came one day after a report criticized police response to the massacre.

Lt. Mariano Pargas was the acting city police chief the day of the shooting. Mayor Don McLaughlin said the city is investigating Pargas’ role in the delayed confrontation of the shooter.

The report was written by an investigative committee from the Texas House of Representatives and released to family members Sunday.

On May 24, a gunman fatally shot 19 children and two teachers in two adjoining classrooms at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

On May 24, a gunman fatally shot 19 children and two teachers in two adjoining classrooms at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Frederick Frazier’s runoff opponent accused him of posing as a city code compliance officer to get campaign signs taken down. Frazier said his opponent is to blame in the case.

Jazmin Cazares, the sister of Uvalde shooting victim Jacklyn Cazares, testified in front of the Texas House of Representatives Thursday on behalf of her sister and cousin Annabell Rodriguez, another victim of the massacre.

The Texas House of Representatives committee investigating the Robb Elementary School shooting will hold a hearing on Thursday morning in Uvalde.

Eight Mission police officers were recognized Friday at the State Capitol in Austin on the Texas House of Representatives chamber floor for their bravery in two high profile incidents, one of which resulted in the death of fellow officer Cpl. Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta Jr. who was also recognized posthumously.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, the chair of the investigating committee, said he couldn’t promise a timeline for the review and that witnesses will be questioned in private.

The Texas House of Representatives committee investigating the Robb Elementary School shooting will hold a hearing on Thursday morning in Austin.

Phelan said it is an “outrage” that officials still do not have a clear picture of what happened during the shooting. The committee’s findings will inform the House’s legislative response.

The pricey fights illustrate how much of the action in Texas politics has shifted back to the primary after redistricting dramatically reduced the number of competitive seats.

Democratic primary runoffs for two congressional districts and two legislative seats in South Texas highlight the candidates’ divergent visions for the party in a region the GOP is heavily targeting.

A group of young women have teamed up with a prestigious Houston law firm to get the state to stop charging sales tax on menstrual products, arguing they qualify as “wound care dressings.”

Cibolo Creek anchors this bucolic town northwest of San Antonio

The Grand Prairie lawmaker has led the minority party’s House caucus since 2017.

Texans who don’t vote in primaries and primary runoffs are missing a chance to choose who goes to Congress and the Texas Legislature. Thanks to the political maps drawn by lawmakers last year, only a handful of those contests will be competitive in November.

Despite substantive doubts surrounding the cause of her child’s death and a suspect “confession” obtained after hours of interrogation, Lucio is set to be executed next month for killing her 2-year-old daughter.

In the Texas House, the biggest intraparty attack on Republican leadership came from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, led by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford. Backed by hard-right donors like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, West Texas oil tycoons, the group spent at least $5.2 million from January onward.

Almost all the preferred candidates of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan nabbed enough votes to head into the November general election. And nearly all sitting House and Senate members seeking to return to the Texas Capitol kept their seats.

Berry, who will face Ellen Troxclair in the runoff, was one of 19 Austin officers accused of using excessive force on people demonstrating against police brutality in 2020.

The primaries are also the first major electoral test for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who took over the gavel more than a year ago.

Justin Berry is among 19 Austin law enforcement officers indicted and accused of using excessive force on anti-police brutality protesters in 2020.

The Austin police officer is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Texas House District 19, west of Austin.

The candidate became a hero of the anti-lockdown movement during the coronavirus...

The Texans for Better Democrats Coalition is throwing its support behind Candis Houston, who is running against state Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston, and Rep. Claudia Ordaz Perez, who faces fellow El Pasoan Rep. Art Fierro.

The Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time.

The ex-Texas House speaker wants lawmakers to help students and educators and those having a mental health crisis because of the pandemic.

Rep. Tracy O. King (D-Uvalde) is proud to announce his campaign for re-election to...

Luther became nationally known at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 when she refused to shut down her Dallas salon in defiance of emergency orders. She was sentenced to a week in jail but was released after only a few days.

Hays County will continue to be a part of Senate District 21, represented by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo following the completion of the redistricting process for the Congressional, Texas Senate, Texas House and State Board of Education maps.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Every statewide office, legislative seat and U.S. House district will be on the ballot next year when the state’s new political maps are expected to be used.

Critics of the Chapter 313 corporate tax incentive program say it lacks accountability and is burdensome to taxpayers in the state.

Texas’ population has grown 40% this century, and 91% of the new Texans are people of color. Federal judges now have to decide whether those monumental changes are reflected in the state’s political maps.

It remains unclear whether Gov. Greg Abbott — the only official with the power to convene special sessions — will order state lawmakers back to Austin, or what issues he would include on the agenda.

A new state law requires the secretary of state's office to audit results in four randomly selected counties every two years.

At least three other Democrats and four Republicans are vying for the office that GOP incumbent George P. Bush is leaving to run for attorney general.

Lucio is retiring from the Rio Grande Valley seat, and Dominguez wants to continue his legacy of focusing on education in the region. But he suggested he would take a different approach to at least a couple issues, including abortion.

It’s unclear why the governor tasked the state's education agency, which does not employ law enforcement officers, to perform the investigation.

State Reps. Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez talked about everything from redistricting to “critical race theory” with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith.

The October poll found that the percentage of Democrats who said voting rules should be less strict increased significantly, with 64% of voters taking that position compared to the 51% in August.

Republicans saw flipping the seat as a way to make headway into South Texas, where Democrat Joe Biden underperformed last year.

Texas voters will decide on eight proposed changes to the state’s Constitution. Voters in the San Antonio area will pick a new Texas House member. And Austin voters will decide whether to require more police officers.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced last week he’ll seek reelection in a new seat, leaving his 15th Congressional District open for the 2022 election. Candidate filing begins Nov. 13.

Critics say state Rep. Matt Krause's inquiry targets books about women, people of color and LGBTQ people. The lawmaker says providing specifics about his inquiry "could compromise a potential investigation."

Democrat Justin Calhoun and Republicans Barron Casteel and Carrie Isaac last week joined GOP hopeful George Green in announcing for Texas House District 73 after six-term incumbent Rep. Kyle Biedermann

Texas lawmakers drew new maps for the state House and Senate, congressional delegation and State Board of Education. Here’s what Texans should know about the 2021 redistricting outcomes.

The redistricting process in the GOP-dominated Legislature made many political districts less competitive, which some experts believe might hurt civic engagement.

The controversial measure, which was debated for ten hours, now goes to the state Senate. Critics called it discriminatory.

The Brownsville City Commission will hold its regular commission meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday where the commission is expected to vote on two resolutions pertaining to the Brownsville Police Department.

A proposed Texas House map would separate Hays County into two different districts and State Rep.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

A proposed Texas House map would separate Hays County into two different districts and State Rep.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News District 45, House of Representatives, Erin Zwiener, San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Democrats who have returned to the state could be detained and forced to come to the capitol.

After a procedural vote, the lawmakers need Speaker Dade Phelan’s permission to leave the House chamber.

A state district judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking the arrest of Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives who broke quorum last...

State Rep. Leo Pacheco, D-San Antonio, will resign from the Texas House of Representatives to teach public administration at San Antonio College, the Express-News reports. Pacheco...

Chris Turner, chairman of the state's House Democratic Caucus, said it was a "sober reminder that COVID is still with us."

The year was 2003, and the cramped Speaker’s Committee Room next to the Texas House floor was overflowing with reporters and spectators.

AUSTIN –A majority of Democrats from the Texas House of Representatives left the state on Monday in an attempt to block two voting restriction bills being pushed by Republicans through the special legislative session that began last Thursday. By not appearing at the legislative chambers in Austin, the dozens of Democrats left the House without a quorum, preventing the Legislature from voting on Governor Greg Abbott’s priority bills and effectively bringing the special session to a grinding halt.

Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with the Texas Democratic legislators who fled the state Monday in an effort to block Republican-backed election bills.

Abbott has already threatened Democrats with arrest once they come back home, which may not be until the current 30-day special session ends in August. State Rep. Eddie Morales, one of four Democrats who stayed behind, said it his understanding that troopers would not leave Texas. Despite the exodus by Democrats, Abbott has said Republicans will not be deterred. Texas Democrats, shut out of power in the state Capitol for decades, last fled the state in 2003 to thwart a redistricting plan. But they were unable to arrest the lawmakers without a warrant issued by Oklahoma authorities, and the lawmakers refused the troopers’ request.

It’s the second time Democrats have walked out in an attempt to stop voter legislation.

By traveling to the nation's capital, the Texas lawmakers deprive the state legislature of the quorum needed to take up Republicans proposals to restrict voting.

The group of Texas Democrats is calling on Congress to enact federal voting rights protections.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday began leaving for Washington, D.C., and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws.

Missing Democrats will deny Republican quorum to conduct any business

Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives plan to leave the state and fly to Washington, D.C., sources told the Texas Tribune.

Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives plan to leave the state and fly to Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon, according to sources with knowledge of the plan, in a bid to again deny Republica[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Democrats in the state House want to deny the quorum needed to pass voting restrictions and bills targeting trans athletes and critical race theory.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday bolted for Washington, D.C., and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws, forcing a dramatic new showdown over voting rights in America. Private planes carrying a large group of Democrats took off from an airport in Austin, skipping town just days before the Texas House of Representatives was expected to give early approval to sweeping new voting restrictions in a special legislative session.

Without federal action to protect our elections and right to vote, our democracy is in peril – not just in Texas or Georgia or Florida, but everywhere.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Midnight was coming fast. Any moment now, the Texas House of Representatives would sign off on one of the most restrictive new voting laws in America.

The move by Democrats in the state House of Representatives denied Republicans a quorum. Governor Greg Abbott said he'll call a special session to restart the process.

The revolt torpedoed the measure which would have reduced polling hours, empowered poll watchers and scaled back ways to vote in Texas, which already has some of the nation's strictest voting laws.

Move denied Republicans quorum. Governor says he'll call special session to restart the process.

Texas House of Representatives over the weekend gave initial approval to a sweeping bill intended to stabilize the state's power grid and avoid a repeat...

The Senate opted not to accept the House changes to Senate Bill 7, prompting the formation of a conference committee to iron out the differences.

There are about two weeks left of the regular legislative session, leaving Texas lawmakers with limited time to pass laws.

The Texas House has approved a bill educators worry will deal a setback to honest discussions on race, harm free speech in classrooms and hinder...

The bill could undergo more changes. Governor Greg Abbott has said he supports "election integrity" efforts. Texas is one of several GOP-controlled states passing similar, sweeping bills.

As opposition to Texas Republicans’ proposed voting restrictions continues to intensify, state lawmakers’ deliberations over the GOP priority legislation could soon go behind closed doors. The...

click to enlarge Instagram / calahanspizzaCalahan’s Pub in San Antonio is one the Texas restaurants offering a variety of cocktails to-go. A committee of the Texas House of Representatives has approved wider debate of a cocktails-to-go bill, a significant step toward permanently loosening the state's strict alcohol laws.The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures (LAP) Committee unanimously passed HB 1024 Wednesday, a step along the way to making permanent a temporary order that lets bars and restaurants sell mixed drinks for takeout.In a bid to help restaurants survive the pandemic, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last June temporarily cleared businesses to sell to-go cocktails, so long as they are in sealed, tamper-proof containers and accompanied by a food item. "We thank the House LAP committee for moving this measure forward and encourage the full House to take up and pass this bill as soon as possible.”The bill now is set to be considered by the full Texas House. It would still need approval by the Texas Senate and the governor before becoming law.

The outgoing speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dennis Bonnen , R-Angleton, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a post on his Facebook page Sunday. Bonnen said he tested positive this weekend and has mild symptoms. His wife, Kim Bonnen, tested positive last week and “continues to battle difficult but manageable symptoms,” he said. The first statewide elected official to publicly confirm a positive coronavirus test was Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann in May. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tested positive earlier this month.

click to enlarge Texas House of RepresentativesA map of Texas' gerrymandered-to-hell 68th District. Mendoza LineThe bluebonnet is Texas’ state flower. The pecan its state tree.Now, Republican State Rep. Drew Springer has filed a resolution designating gerrymandering as Texas’ official form of vote rigging.Springer represents Texas House District 68, which is one of the most blatantly gerrymandered districts in the state. We need to crush all hope now that we have this redistricting opportunity, and shrewd redistricting is our best shot. My resolution making gerrymandering the official form of vote-rigging in Texas hammers that home.”

click to enlarge Jade Esteban EstradaDemocrat Ina Minjarez believes that if she wasn’t an outspoken female voice in the Texas House of Representatives, she’d have made a great fitness instructor or personal trainer. Minjarez won the special election to replace him as House District 124’s new representative. “There are so many different members with different personalities and we may disagree on issues. “I think it’s important that these key committees reflect the way that the Texas population is looking.”Thanksgiving will look a little different in 2020 due to the pandemic. “I have just grown accustomed to always playing defense as a Democrat at the state legislature.

That means the power remains with the GOP, whose side of the Legislature is both overwhelmingly male and white. Republican Party leaders tapped Jacey Jetton, an Asian American businessman, who won an open seat in highly diverse Fort Bend County. Jetton defeated another challenger there only after the Republican incumbent, Rick Miller, a white male, dropped out. Meanwhile, all six Republican women in the Texas House defended their seats on Tuesday, and most emerged unscathed. Meanwhile, Republicans may have already picked their new speaker, Beaumont Representative Dade Phelan, yet another white male.

click to enlarge Wikimedia Commons / Zereshk (talk | contribs)The Texas House of Representatives meets during a legislative session. Their new political maps remade the Texas delegation to Congress and with it, the makeup of the U.S. House. If, on the other hand, the Democrats win the House, Republicans will have to negotiate — especially on congressional maps. They’d exercise an effective veto over Republican maps — not enough to pass maps of their own, but enough to deny the other party that privilege. If that seems like a thin chance for Texas Democrats, it’s because it’s a thin chance.

click to enlarge Flickr / Ed SchipulNational Democratic super PAC Forward Majority is boosting its spending to $12 million this election cycle to help turn the Texas House of Representatives blue, the Texas Tribune reports In September, Forward Majority unveiled plans to spend $6.2 million to flip 18 Republican-held seats in the Texas House. The group is now pledging to double that amount to take back the chamber before the 2021 redistricting process.Democrats need to win nine seats this cycle to claim a majority in the body, something the party hasn't held since 2001. Democrats won a total of 12 seats during the 2018 midterms, which they'll also need to defend. "Republicans are hemorrhaging millions on Texas state house races because they know their majority is in grave jeopardy and that this is the most important state in the country for redistricting," Forward Majority spokesperson Ben Wexler-Waite said in a statement supplied to the

Out In SA has been following 11 Democratic Primary races with LGBTQ candidates in Texas: two U.S. Congressional races and nine for seats in the Texas House. Gina Ortiz Jones, U.S. House, Texas District 23San AntonioOrtiz Jones defeated Rosalinda Ramos Abuabara, Efrain Valdez, Ricardo Madrid, and Jaime Escuder in the Democratic primary. Charlie Jackson, U.S. House, Texas District 27Corpus ChristiJackson lost the primary against his opponent Ricardo De La Fuente who took 68 percent of the vote. Eric Holguin, Texas House of Representatives, District 32Corpus ChristiHolguin ran unopposed in the Democratic Primary and will run against Republican Todd Hunter in November. A Republican Footnote: U.S. House Texas District 20In the Republican Primary, San Antonio gay bar owner Mauro E. Garza had the highest vote total (33 percent) out of 5 candidates in the race.