87th LegislatureElections 2022State HouseState Rep. Dan Huberty Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2022
Brad JohnsonOctober 19, 2021
Huberty's retirement brings the Texas House's open seat total to 14 going into 2022.
HomeTagDan Huberty | The Texan
87th LegislatureCivil SocietyEducationTexas Legislature Passes Bill to Trim, Clarify New Classroom Critical Race Theory Law
Isaiah MitchellSeptember 3, 2021
Although House Bill 3979 took effect two days ago, it won't be effective for long. The legislature altered it with Senate Bill 3.
87th LegislatureCivil SocietyState HouseState SenateSocial Media Censorship Bill Awaits Consideration by Full Texas Senate After Receiving House Approval
Hayden SparksAugust 31, 2021
The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee has passed the bill and it now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
87th LegislatureElections 2022IssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingTexas Ban on Casinos, Sports Wagering Will Remain in Place After Legalization Efforts Fall Flat
Hayden SparksJune 1, 2021
Casino gambling company Las Vegas Sands Corp. hired 73 lobbyists to advance casino bills during the regular session.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseState SenateHouston ISD Turmoil Prompts Legislative Fixes for Public School Accountability System
Holly HansenMay 31, 2021
An ongoing legal battle in Houston ISD has prompted the state legislature to approve revisions to the state’s public education A-F accountability system.
87th LegislatureState HouseTexas House Votes to Let Home School Students Compete in Public School Sports
Isaiah MitchellMay 13, 2021
The "opt-in" system would give districts the chance to let home-schoolers compete in UIL activities. The vote was bipartisan.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseResurrected Bill Granting Charter Schools Property Tax Exemption Squeaks Through Texas House
Holly HansenMay 7, 2021
Legislation giving public charter schools a property tax exemption on leased or purchased property was reconsidered and narrowly passed in the Texas House.
EducationState HouseAs Act of Vengeance, Texas Democrat Revives Bill to Require Public School Athletes to Compete Within Own Sex
Isaiah MitchellMay 7, 2021
A fellow Democrat had killed Dutton's education bill the night before, motivating Dutton to not only lay out the bill again but move it forward.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseState SenateBill to Make Public School Athletes Compete Within Own Sex Fails to Pass Out of Committee
Isaiah MitchellMay 5, 2021
Procedural tactics meant to get the bill past the committee fizzled out. One Republican who would have been the swing vote was absent.
87th LegislatureState HouseState Rep. Dan Huberty Arrested for DWI After Montgomery County Wreck
Brad JohnsonApril 24, 2021
The at-fault driver was confirmed to be state Rep. Dan Huberty on Saturday morning.
87th LegislatureHealthcareState HouseMajority of Texas House Members Support Medicaid Expansion After Nine GOP Members Join Democrats
Brad JohnsonApril 21, 2021
Medicaid expansion has wind behind its sails now that nine GOP House members have signed onto legislation expand the program.
87th LegislatureIssuesState HouseTaxes & SpendingTexas House Committee ‘Seriously Contemplating’ Legalizing Commercial Casinos and Sports Betting
Hayden SparksApril 16, 2021
A representative of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which has hired 73 lobbyists in Texas, testified in favor of legalizing casinos.
87th LegislatureTaxes & SpendingBipartisan Set of State Lawmakers Introduce Sports Wagering Legislation
Hayden SparksMarch 4, 2021
Under the proposed laws, the state would require a $500,000 application fee for a sports wagering operator license.
87th LegislatureState HouseStatewide NewsTexas House Committee Assignments Feature Notable Shifts in Chairmanships
Brad JohnsonFebruary 4, 2021
Here's a list of the newly announced Texas House committee chair and vice chair appointments.
87th LegislatureLocal NewsState SenateTexas Lawmaker Introduces ‘Caitlynne’s Bill’ to Address Felony Bond Problem
Holly HansenFebruary 1, 2021
In response to rising criminal activity related to lenient felony bond practices in Harris County, Sen. Paul Bettencourt looks to address the problem.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsInmate Releases Due to COVID-19 Concerns Opposed by Harris County District Attorney, Lawmakers
Holly HansenJanuary 22, 2021
In a new emergency request, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is asking a federal judge to facilitate the release of jail inmates due to COVID-19 concerns.
87th LegislatureEducationCharter School Advocates Ask Legislature to Ensure Charters Are Treated Fairly by Municipalities, Remove ‘Silent Cap’
Holly HansenJanuary 14, 2021
State lawmakers discussed challenges faced by charter schools and Texas public education as a whole at a pre-session policy event in Austin this week.
Civil SocietyCriminal JusticeLocal NewsStatewide NewsAbbott Brings Back the Blue Pledge to Houston in Wake of Officer’s Death
Isaiah MitchellOctober 29, 2020
Formed as a response to growing calls to defund the police, Abbott brought his "Back the Blue" pledge to Houston.
EducationStatewide NewsEducation Commissioner Says Funding Waivers Still Available to Districts Delaying In-Person Opening
Holly HansenJuly 30, 2020
Commissioner Morath clarified that school districts will continue to receive funding waivers for as long as eight weeks and that the Texas Education Agency will adjust waivers further if necessary.
EducationStatewide NewsAttorney General Paxton Says Local Health Authorities May Not Order School Closures
Holly HansenJuly 28, 2020
In response to local health officials prohibiting most schools from opening, Texas’ attorney general provided guidance, saying that authority rests with school system leaders.