INSIDER
Texas’ high housing costs sparked a movement to bring them down. The fight could shape the state for years to come.
Read full article: Texas’ high housing costs sparked a movement to bring them down. The fight could shape the state for years to come.A new breed of activists wants Texas to tame costs by building more housing. But longstanding opposition to such policies remains strong.
Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justice
Read full article: Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justiceTexas’ junk science statute has remained hamstrung for the last decade. So too have other criminal justice reforms, despite efforts from the Texas House.
Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from voters
Read full article: Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from votersGov. Greg Abbott gave an inflated number of noncitizens removed from the state’s voter rolls, officials acknowledged, confirming findings by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Votebeat.
Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rolls
Read full article: Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rollsHere’s what you need to know after a ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and Votebeat investigation found that Gov. Greg Abbott likely inflated the number of noncitizens on voter rolls.
Gov. Abbott to give Texas $50M for Hurricane Beryl, Derecho cleanup
Read full article: Gov. Abbott to give Texas $50M for Hurricane Beryl, Derecho cleanupGovernor Greg Abbott has announced a $50 million emergency fund to help Texans recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho storm.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Legislature will review Deloitte’s contracts after public loan project scandal
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Legislature will review Deloitte’s contracts after public loan project scandalThe examination of Deloitte’s existing contracts comes after it failed to catch red flags in a company’s application for a loan to build or upgrade power plants in the state.
Houstonians sound off about CenterPoint Energy outages, rates and more
Read full article: Houstonians sound off about CenterPoint Energy outages, rates and moreThis is the opportunity for the community to weigh in on how well CenterPoint Energy handled the Hurricane Beryl crisis. Feedback may also influence future electric rates.
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
Read full article: Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff electionsThe new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicans’ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.
Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials say
Read full article: Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials sayTexas Republicans have been trying to reduce the state’s high property taxes for years, but some acknowledge eliminating them would be too expensive.
Another Republican is challenging Dade Phelan for Texas House speaker
Read full article: Another Republican is challenging Dade Phelan for Texas House speakerThe Texas House speaker race is becoming increasingly crowded. Phelan, who is under fire from his right, says he plans to seek the leadership position again.
Harris County voter outreach proposal sparks another fight with Texas Republicans
Read full article: Harris County voter outreach proposal sparks another fight with Texas RepublicansThe county plans to ID eligible voters and send them registration forms. GOP officials say it’s an end-run around state law.
Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptroller
Read full article: Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptrollerTexas needs hundreds of thousands more homes than it has, per one estimate. That shortage has driven up home prices and rents.
‘Of little to no use:’ Texas Lt. Governor wants CenterPoint to pay for generators funded by ratepayers
Read full article: ‘Of little to no use:’ Texas Lt. Governor wants CenterPoint to pay for generators funded by ratepayersTexas’ Lt. Governor Dan Patrick criticized CenterPoint Energy for leasing massive rate-payer funded generators instead of mobile generators which could be used more effectively in emergency situations.
Attorney general investigating CenterPoint Energy after Hurricane Beryl’s long-lasting power outages
Read full article: Attorney general investigating CenterPoint Energy after Hurricane Beryl’s long-lasting power outagesThe company’s power outages in July have drawn the ire of state leaders. Here’s what you need to know.
‘Texans are rightfully upset:’ Senate Special Committee created in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl
Read full article: ‘Texans are rightfully upset:’ Senate Special Committee created in the aftermath of Hurricane BerylIn the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has announced the creation of a Senate Special Committee on Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness, Recovery, and Electricity.
Have you experienced price gouging after Beryl? Harris County Attorney’s Office wants to hear from you
Read full article: Have you experienced price gouging after Beryl? Harris County Attorney’s Office wants to hear from youFollowing Hurricane Beryl, reports have come in about Houston residents experiencing price gouging on essential items like gas, food, and hotel accommodations.
‘I will be issuing an executive order’: Gov. Abbott examines CenterPoint’s future in Texas after Beryl response
Read full article: ‘I will be issuing an executive order’: Gov. Abbott examines CenterPoint’s future in Texas after Beryl responseTexas Governor Greg Abbott did not pull any punches Sunday afternoon in going after CenterPoint for their failures in getting the lights back on for Houstonians as well as hundreds of thousands of others in the area.
Abbott reprimands CenterPoint and calls for an investigation into the utility’s response to Beryl blackouts
Read full article: Abbott reprimands CenterPoint and calls for an investigation into the utility’s response to Beryl blackoutsAbbott demanded that the utility company produce a plan by the end of July outlining how it will improve power reliability ahead of future storms.
‘Only by a miracle was he saved’: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick on former President Trump shooting
Read full article: ‘Only by a miracle was he saved’: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick on former President Trump shootingOn Saturday night, hours after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke with KPRC 2 Investigates, regarding the shooting of the former president, the death and injury of supporters and how this will impact politics as well as future rallies.
‘Completely unacceptable:’ Gov. Abbott sets timetable for immediate action from CenterPoint after post-Beryl failures
Read full article: ‘Completely unacceptable:’ Gov. Abbott sets timetable for immediate action from CenterPoint after post-Beryl failuresTexas Governor Greg Abbott did not pull any punches Sunday afternoon in going after CenterPoint for their failures in getting the lights back on for Houstonians as well as hundreds of thousands of others in the area.
‘We’re going to punch you back’: Criminals targeting Houstonians impacted by Beryl to face upgraded charges, DA says
Read full article: ‘We’re going to punch you back’: Criminals targeting Houstonians impacted by Beryl to face upgraded charges, DA saysMore than a dozen people are facing upgraded disaster-time charges in Harris County, District Attorney Kim Ogg tells KPRC 2, accused of targeting homes and businesses dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Texas Sens. Charles Schwertner, Borris Miles silent after new accusations of sexual harassment in report
Read full article: Texas Sens. Charles Schwertner, Borris Miles silent after new accusations of sexual harassment in reportA Texas Monthly article revealed fresh allegations of sexual harassment against two senators with a history of scandals.
Federal aid approved by FEMA to help 15 Texas counties for individual assistance program
Read full article: Federal aid approved by FEMA to help 15 Texas counties for individual assistance programActing Governor Dan Patrick announced Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Beryl to include 15 Texas counties he requested for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.
‘We’re good,’ Dan Patrick says Harris County Judge denied help requests ahead of Hurricane Beryl
Read full article: ‘We’re good,’ Dan Patrick says Harris County Judge denied help requests ahead of Hurricane BerylIn a fiery message, Patrick said he reached out to Hidalgo several times ahead of Hurricane Beryl making landfall, where in the final message he alleges she said simply, “We’re good.”
Half a million Houston-area homes and businesses still won't have power into next week
Read full article: Half a million Houston-area homes and businesses still won't have power into next weekA utility company executive warns that about half a million Houston-area homes and businesses still won't have electricity into next week as wide outages from Hurricane Beryl drag on.
CenterPoint exudes chaos, but also appears to be restoring power faster than it previously has
Read full article: CenterPoint exudes chaos, but also appears to be restoring power faster than it previously hasAccording to state filings, the utility is restoring power at a relatively quicker pace than after prior storms. Texans are still fed up.
Beryl power outages crowd hospitals, delay new admissions
Read full article: Beryl power outages crowd hospitals, delay new admissionsIn Houston, discharged patients remain in an arena to avoid powerless homes. Some 70 miles north, Livingston’s hospital is one of 17 in the state relying on a generator because of Hurricane Beryl power outages.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick updates Hurricane Beryl response and recovery efforts
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick updates Hurricane Beryl response and recovery effortsAs the Houston area works to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is providing updates on the state’s response.
Biden says Texas officials delayed request for Beryl federal aid
Read full article: Biden says Texas officials delayed request for Beryl federal aidGov. Greg Abbott has spent the duration of the hurricane on a pre-scheduled trip to meet with foreign diplomats in Asia, leaving Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as acting governor.
NRG Stadium to house up to 250 discharged patients amid Hurricane Beryl power outages
Read full article: NRG Stadium to house up to 250 discharged patients amid Hurricane Beryl power outagesIn a recent news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick shared crucial updates on Hurricane Beryl relief efforts in Houston. The NRG Center will soon open to house up to 250 hospital patients unable to return home due to power outages, helping to free up space in local hospitals. Additionally, 25 more ambulances will be deployed to respond to emergency calls more quickly.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire vows he’s holding CenterPoint accountable after 2.2M Beryl outages
Read full article: Houston Mayor John Whitmire vows he’s holding CenterPoint accountable after 2.2M Beryl outagesPower outages are impacting local hospitals as well because they can't send patients home if they don't have power.
President Biden approves Acting Gov. Dan Patrick requests to declare federal emergency disaster declaration
Read full article: President Biden approves Acting Gov. Dan Patrick requests to declare federal emergency disaster declarationActing Governor Dan Patrick announced Tuesday, one day after Hurricane Beryl ravaged through Southeast Texas, President Joe Biden has approved his request to declare federal emergency disaster declaration for the state of Texas.
Frustrations mount in the Houston heat after Beryl moves on and leaves millions without power
Read full article: Frustrations mount in the Houston heat after Beryl moves on and leaves millions without powerFrustration is mounting that Houston appeared to buckle under a storm not as powerful as previous ones.
Beryl power outage updates: More than 98,000 Texas electricity customers remain without power a week after Beryl
Read full article: Beryl power outage updates: More than 98,000 Texas electricity customers remain without power a week after BerylTens of thousands of households and businesses aren’t expected to have electricity for most of this week.
Why transformers blow up during storms like Hurricane Beryl
Read full article: Why transformers blow up during storms like Hurricane BerylDuring Hurricane Beryl, KPRC noticed several transformers going out with an arcing blue light in the sky. We wanted to find out what actually happens when you see something like that.
Beryl weakens to tropical depression after slamming into Texas as Category 1 hurricane
Read full article: Beryl weakens to tropical depression after slamming into Texas as Category 1 hurricaneAfter Hurricane Beryl slammed into Texas, knocking out power to nearly 3 million homes and businesses and killing at least three people it moved east and weakened to a tropical depression.
Texas residents told to expect power outages, flooding as Beryl moves closer to landfall
Read full article: Texas residents told to expect power outages, flooding as Beryl moves closer to landfallTexas officials are telling coastal residents to expect power outages and flooding as Beryl was forecast to regain hurricane strength before making landfall.
As Beryl approaches Texas, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is acting governor as Greg Abbott leads Asia tour
Read full article: As Beryl approaches Texas, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is acting governor as Greg Abbott leads Asia tourTropical Storm Beryl is approaching the Texas coast and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is the acting governor during this time.
Texas coast braces for looming hit by Beryl, which is expected to regain hurricane strength
Read full article: Texas coast braces for looming hit by Beryl, which is expected to regain hurricane strengthTexas officials are urging coastal residents to brace for a looming hit by Beryl as the storm is expected to regain hurricane strength.
Voluntary evacuations issued for coastal areas of Matagorda County ahead of Beryl’s landfall in Texas
Read full article: Voluntary evacuations issued for coastal areas of Matagorda County ahead of Beryl’s landfall in TexasVoluntary evacuations have been issued for the coastal areas of Matagorda County ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall in Texas, according to the Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center.
Acting Governor issues disaster declarations for these Texas counties ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall
Read full article: Acting Governor issues disaster declarations for these Texas counties ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s landfallActing Governor Dan Patrick has issued disaster declarations for dozens of Texas counties on Friday ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall.
Texas should have been first state to put 10 Commandments back in schools, says Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Read full article: Texas should have been first state to put 10 Commandments back in schools, says Lt. Gov. Dan PatrickTexas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is blasting his political opponents for letting Louisiana become the first state to require public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments.
Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predicts
Read full article: Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predictsThe main electric grid operator in Texas has sharply increased its prediction for how much power demand will increase in coming years.
Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuanaOther cities have passed similar measures, but Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to block them from going into effect.
Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggle
Read full article: Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggleNeither of the Texas GOP’s dueling factions landed a clean knockout blow during a grueling primary season that only seemed to set up further chaos and strife.
House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOP’s far-right forces
Read full article: House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOP’s far-right forcesBusiness-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns.
Dade Phelan directs House leaders to revisit vouchers, property taxes in the next legislative session
Read full article: Dade Phelan directs House leaders to revisit vouchers, property taxes in the next legislative sessionThe Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected.
North Texas Senate runoff creates strange bedfellows, divides usual allies within GOP
Read full article: North Texas Senate runoff creates strange bedfellows, divides usual allies within GOPThe battle to succeed retiring state Sen. Drew Springer has come down to a May 28 runoff between Brent Hagenbuch and Jace Yarbrough.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asks state to halt new cement plant permits until 2025
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asks state to halt new cement plant permits until 2025Citing community concerns about a planned cement plant in Grayson County, Patrick’s letter asks TCEQ to reject the permit and halt permit approvals statewide.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 priorities
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 prioritiesExamining charitable bail organizations and banning Delta 9 were also among Patrick’s priorities in the next legislative session.
Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positions
Read full article: Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positionsStraus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly.
Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton declare victory in attack on House GOP defectors
Read full article: Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton declare victory in attack on House GOP defectorsThe two state leaders and other prominent Republicans, like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former president Donald Trump, endorsed challengers in dozens of races citing the incumbents’ disloyalty to the party.
House Speaker Dade Phelan, enemy of the far-right, faces toughest reelection yet
Read full article: House Speaker Dade Phelan, enemy of the far-right, faces toughest reelection yetAttorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and former President Donald Trump are accusing Phelan of being a “RINO,” even as Phelan has overseen the passage of some of the most conservative bills in recent history.
Texas' standoff with the feds in Eagle Pass is igniting calls for secession and fears of violence
Read full article: Texas' standoff with the feds in Eagle Pass is igniting calls for secession and fears of violenceThe calls for Texas to defend itself and defy the federal government have set fire to a long-simmering fight over states’ rights, emboldening right-wing figures.
Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedings
Read full article: Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedingsThe bombshell request by retiring state Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, comes after Paxton decided to stop fighting a whistleblower lawsuit whose claims factored into his impeachment trial.
Vouchers, border security, abortion: The issues you heard about in 2023 will continue to be hotly debated in 2024
Read full article: Vouchers, border security, abortion: The issues you heard about in 2023 will continue to be hotly debated in 2024After nearly a year’s worth of legislative sessions, several issues are poised to dominate Texas politics this year. Here’s a look at how things ended on several fronts last year — and where they’re headed next.
Far-right activist blasts Speaker Phelan for being "pro-Muslim" in political mailer
Read full article: Far-right activist blasts Speaker Phelan for being "pro-Muslim" in political mailerThe card insinuates that Phelan wants to wish his constituents a happy Ramadan instead of a merry Christmas. Muslim Texans say it’s Islamophobic and some Republicans say it doesn't reflect Christian values.
Tim Dunn, the powerhouse GOP donor, to sell his West Texas oil company for $12 billion
Read full article: Tim Dunn, the powerhouse GOP donor, to sell his West Texas oil company for $12 billionTim Dunn has used his wealth to establish a network of organizations that push his ultraconservative views across Texas. The deal comes amid a time of consolidation in the Permian Basin.
With the Mavericks, Miriam Adelson is poised to be Texas political powerhouse. Will it help her legalize casinos?
Read full article: With the Mavericks, Miriam Adelson is poised to be Texas political powerhouse. Will it help her legalize casinos?Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby.
Texas claims in filings that challenges to 2023 election are invalid, results are final
Read full article: Texas claims in filings that challenges to 2023 election are invalid, results are finalIn court filings Tuesday, the secretary of state’s office argued that the plaintiffs in the election contests “never served a citation” properly. But there’s no guarantee it’ll work.
Abbott mum on another special session as he charges into voucher opponents’ primary battles
Read full article: Abbott mum on another special session as he charges into voucher opponents’ primary battlesAbbott is promising to continue the fight for “school choice” but staying mum on whether that means he will call another special session as he has previously threatened.
Texas Legislature adjourns fourth special session — leaving vouchers, school safety and elections bills unfinished
Read full article: Texas Legislature adjourns fourth special session — leaving vouchers, school safety and elections bills unfinishedThe latest casualties were Senate Bill 5, which would spend $800 million on school safety measures through 2025, and Senate Bill 6, which would change the timeline of a trial after an election contest is filed by a citizen or group.
With GOP priorities unfinished, Texas House plans to wrap fourth special session Tuesday
Read full article: With GOP priorities unfinished, Texas House plans to wrap fourth special session TuesdayThe decision to end work Tuesday leaves long odds for bills to boost school safety funding and make sure that election challenges don’t delay the implementation of property tax cuts, teacher pension raises and infrastructure spending.
Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers
Read full article: Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniersSome members of the committee said such a ban, proposed two months after a prominent conservative activist was caught meeting with a famous white supremacist, might be a “slippery slope” or too vague.
Republican Pat Fallon give up Congress seat and run for his old Texas Senate post
Read full article: Republican Pat Fallon give up Congress seat and run for his old Texas Senate postFallon served in the Texas Senate for two years before running for Congress. He won’t see reelection in the U.S. House.
Senate fast-tracks passage of vouchers and border security legislation
Read full article: Senate fast-tracks passage of vouchers and border security legislationThe Senate revved to life Thursday, holding committee hearings with little advance notice and advancing four bills that satisfy Abbott’s agenda.
Texas homeowners and businesses will get a tax cut after voters approve Proposition 4
Read full article: Texas homeowners and businesses will get a tax cut after voters approve Proposition 4The $18 billion property tax-cut package is aimed squarely at lowering school district property taxes, which make up the lion’s share of a Texas landowner’s property tax bill.
Abbott calls lawmakers back for fourth time to try again on school vouchers and border security
Read full article: Abbott calls lawmakers back for fourth time to try again on school vouchers and border securityThe governor announced the fourth special session would start an hour after the previous session adjourned.
With time running out, Texas Senate punts on taking action on border bill
Read full article: With time running out, Texas Senate punts on taking action on border billThe Senate on Sunday afternoon failed to take action on a border security bill, leaving virtually no time to pass the bill before the special session ends on Tuesday.
Watch a Texas Tribune conversation on the state Legislature’s special session
Read full article: Watch a Texas Tribune conversation on the state Legislature’s special sessionJournalists covering the Texas Capitol discussed what came out of this year’s third special session and what is still to be resolved.
Fighting between legislative leaders imperils Texas border security bills
Read full article: Fighting between legislative leaders imperils Texas border security billsThe governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker generally agree on building more border barriers and making illegal border crossings a state crime. But disagreements over strategy and personal animosity mean those measures face long odds this special legislative session.
A public health response helped reduce fatal car wrecks in Texas. Can it do the same for gun deaths?
Read full article: A public health response helped reduce fatal car wrecks in Texas. Can it do the same for gun deaths?For the first time in a generation, Texans were more likely to die of gunshot wounds than car crashes in 2021. Experts worry a lack of research on the issue has hampered the search for solutions.
Texas voters split on House, Senate handling of Paxton impeachment, poll finds
Read full article: Texas voters split on House, Senate handling of Paxton impeachment, poll findsRepublicans showed a more clear divide, giving the Senate higher marks than the House for how the attorney general’s impeachment was handled.
Nick Fuentes is just the latest white supremacist embraced by Defend Texas Liberty
Read full article: Nick Fuentes is just the latest white supremacist embraced by Defend Texas LibertyWhile Fuentes’ unapologetic hate mongering has made him one of the nation’s best-known white supremacists, he was merely the latest in a long line of people who have been embraced by Defend Texas Liberty and its close allies.
Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bonds
Read full article: Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bondsMore than two weeks after the influential PAC’s leader met with a Hitler admirer, Lt. Gov. Patrick said the GOP must ”root out” antisemitism. Patrick had initially said he’d keep the PAC’s money.
House, Senate bills at odds over power to boost future funding for Texas school voucher program
Read full article: House, Senate bills at odds over power to boost future funding for Texas school voucher programThe Senate’s Republican bill would let state leaders grow the program by taking money from other agencies without the Legislature’s approval. The House bill would bar the practice.
Here’s who gets money from Defend Texas Liberty, the PAC whose leader met with white supremacist Nick Fuentes
Read full article: Here’s who gets money from Defend Texas Liberty, the PAC whose leader met with white supremacist Nick FuentesThe group has funded candidates and groups like the Texas GOP who have pushed fellow Republicans to take a harder line against things like illegal immigration and transgender people.
Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a “blunder,” but will keep group’s $3 million contribution
Read full article: Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a “blunder,” but will keep group’s $3 million contributionTwo other Republican lawmakers are giving away donations after Nick Fuentes was seen visiting the office building associated with Defend Texas Liberty PAC President Jonathan Stickland. The meeting has roiled the party, leading to many Republicans calling on their peers to return money from the PAC.
Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting
Read full article: Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infightingHouse Speaker Dade Phelan called on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other officials to redirect any money they received from the PAC. Patrick called on Phelan to resign.
Influential Texas activist Jonathan Stickland hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at office near Fort Worth
Read full article: Influential Texas activist Jonathan Stickland hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at office near Fort WorthThe Texas Tribune also observed Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi outside the building, but he denied meeting Fuentes and denounced him.
West Texas A&M University receives $20 million gift for new institute to promote ‘Texas Panhandle values’
Read full article: West Texas A&M University receives $20 million gift for new institute to promote ‘Texas Panhandle values’University leaders say the new Hill Institute will promote values like family life, the free and open exercise of faith, and rugged individualism.
Body camera footage shows February drunk-driving arrest of Sen. Charles Schwertner
Read full article: Body camera footage shows February drunk-driving arrest of Sen. Charles SchwertnerNewly released body camera footage shows state Sen. Charles Schwertner’s February arrest for suspicion of drunk driving. Travis County prosecutors dropped the charge in July.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders special lawmaking session to begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott orders special lawmaking session to begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchersgreg-abbott-texas-legislature-school-choice-vouchers This third special session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues.
Rep. John Smithee emerges as House hero among Paxton supporters, floated for speaker
Read full article: Rep. John Smithee emerges as House hero among Paxton supporters, floated for speakerOn the day the House impeached Ken Paxton, Smithee delivered a 20 minute speech, criticizing the impeachment process as opaque, rushed and unfair to the accused.
Paxton whistleblowers vow to continue legal fight in front of Texas Supreme Court
Read full article: Paxton whistleblowers vow to continue legal fight in front of Texas Supreme CourtOn Monday, the former state employees argued that Paxton has failed to uphold key parts of the settlement agreement, including a $3.3 million payment and a promise to apologize.
Paxton prosecutors blame politics for trumping evidence in attorney general’s impeachment trial
Read full article: Paxton prosecutors blame politics for trumping evidence in attorney general’s impeachment trialHouston attorney Dick DeGuerin said his team was naive in its belief that “principle would win out over politics.”