88th LegislatureFight Over Democrats as Texas Committee Chairs Will Come to a Head in House Rules Debate
Brad JohnsonJanuary 11, 2023
Last session, efforts to ban or curtail the appointment of Democrats as committee chairs failed by large margins.
HomeTagJeff Leach | The Texan
88th LegislatureElections 2022IssuesState HouseDemocrat Mihaela Plesa Wins Purple Collin County Texas House Seat, Defeating Republican Jamee Jolly
Hayden SparksNovember 9, 2022
After her narrow loss to Plesa, Jolly conceded the race the day after the election without mentioning the possibility of a recount.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsState HouseHarris County Releasing Felons Possessing Firearms on Personal Recognizance ‘30 to 40 Times a Month’
Holly HansenOctober 14, 2022
A Houston victims advocate asked lawmakers to consider adding Felon in Possession of a firearm to a law limiting personal bonds for some criminal charges.
87th LegislatureGunsIssuesStatewide NewsTexas Senate Democrats Ask Abbott for Special Session to Enact Gun Control, Including ‘Red Flag’ Laws
Hayden SparksMay 31, 2022
Democrats have called for additional restrictions on firearms after the shooting deaths of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in Uvalde.
87th LegislatureCriminal JusticeIssuesJudicialCourt of Criminal Appeals Blocks Melissa Lucio’s Execution, Orders Trial Court to Examine Innocence Claims
Hayden SparksApril 25, 2022
The court decided that Lucio’s innocence claims and allegations of prosecutorial misconduct deserve an examination by the trial court.
87th LegislatureCriminal JusticeState Lawmakers Confront District Attorney as Melissa Lucio’s Controversial Execution Approaches
Hayden SparksApril 13, 2022
A Cameron County jury convicted Melissa Lucio in 2008 on a charge of capital murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter.
Criminal JusticeState HouseStatewide NewsTexas House Members Say South Texas Woman Scheduled for Execution Could Be Innocent
Hayden SparksMarch 25, 2022
Melissa Lucio was sentenced to lethal injection in 2008 after a jury convicted her of capital murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter.
87th LegislatureElections 2022Pro-Casino PAC Donated Over $500,000 to Texas Candidates Before Primary Day
Hayden SparksMarch 15, 2022
A new political action committee funded by Miriam Adelson donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Texas candidates.
Elections 2022Calls for Texas Independence Ingrained in State Political Debate
Brad JohnsonNovember 15, 2021
Despite the state government's unwillingness to act on appeals for Texas Independence, the issue continues to reappear in its political discussions.
87th LegislatureElections 2022State HouseHouse Redistricting Committee Bolsters GOP Incumbents, Shifts a Seat Toward Democrats
Daniel FriendOctober 5, 2021
Amendments were adopted on the Texas House redistricting plan that could lead to one less Republican seat but shore up GOP support for incumbents.
87th LegislatureEducationLocal NewsTexas Schools Experiment With Mask Mandates That Let Parents Opt Children Out
Isaiah MitchellSeptember 2, 2021
Some school districts around Texas are experimenting with mask mandates that let parents opt their children out — and so is the legislature.
87th LegislatureEducationSEC Announces Unanimous Vote to Admit University of Texas
Isaiah MitchellJuly 30, 2021
Confirming known news, the SEC officially congratulated the University of Texas at Austin on its departure from the Big 12.