86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseTexas House Gives Mentally Ill a Pass on the Death Penalty
Brad JohnsonMay 10, 2019
Rep. Rose's bill prohibits offenders diagnosed with severe mental illness from being subjected to the death penalty.
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86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseRed-Light Camera Ban Gets Green Light in Texas House
Brad JohnsonMay 10, 2019
Rep. Stickland's red-light camera ban bill made it through the House's proverbial intersection. The Senate is now the legislation's last major road block.
86th LegislatureHealthcareIssuesState HouseTexas Heartbeat Bill Dies in the House
Tony GuajardoMay 9, 2019
With several states passing bills this year that ban abortion once a heartbeat is detected, similar legislation never made it to the House floor.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseAmazon-Backed Drone Bill Killed by Tinderholt, Gooden Over Privacy Concerns
Katie FisherMay 9, 2019
The legislation was headed for passage in the House until Rep. Tinderholt took to the floor and revealed how the drone bill threatened Texans' privacy.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseTonight, Every Unheard House Bill Will Die
McKenzie DiLulloMay 9, 2019
The looming midnight deadline was the mechanism for last session's infamous "Mother's Day Massacre." It remains to be seen what's in store this go around.
86th LegislatureEducationIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingThe “Big Three’s” Sales Tax Plan Has Officially Collapsed
Brad JohnsonMay 8, 2019
The sales tax constitutional amendment recently proposed by Abbott, Bonnen, and Patrick is no longer considered a viable option in the ongoing property tax/school finance saga.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingLegislature’s Budget Proposal a Steep Increase from Past Years
Brad JohnsonMay 7, 2019
Texas ramps up its planned spending for the 2020-2021 biennium budget as the overall trajectory of government spending continues to increase.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingNew Polling Shows Proposed Sales Tax Swap Unpopular With Texas Voters
Brad JohnsonMay 7, 2019
Polling shows a lack of support among Texas voters for a proposed sales tax swap to "offset" the rate of property tax growth.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & Spending“Big Three” Push Sales Tax Increase as Offset for Property Tax Restriction
Brad JohnsonMay 3, 2019
The "Big Three" said they are close to delivering on a property tax reform promise, but it must come with a sales tax increase.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseTaxes & SpendingVIDEO: Rep. Martinez Fischer: Texas’ New Property Tax Proposal May Increase Taxes
McKenzie DiLulloMay 3, 2019
The inclusion of a new "de minimis" exception could leave smaller cities and towns subject to higher taxes.
86th LegislatureEducationIssuesState SenateSenate Approves Creation of Inspector General for Texas Education Agency
Holly HansenMay 2, 2019
Proponents believe the creation of a new office within the TEA would provide the agency with increased power to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseTaxes & SpendingHearing on Employment Ordinances Draws Small Business Support and LGBT Activist Opposition
Tony GuajardoMay 2, 2019
LGBT and small business advocates flooded the State Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday to weigh in on bills aimed at standardizing business regulations.