WEATHER ALERT
‘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.
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.
Proposed bill calls for Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms; Is that constitutional?
Read full article: Proposed bill calls for Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms; Is that constitutional?In Austin, State Senator Phil King is making his case for passage of a brand new bill that would make it mandatory for a copy of the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in every classroom, in every public school in Texas.
Texas Senate passes bill requiring public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments
Read full article: Texas Senate passes bill requiring public school classrooms to display Ten CommandmentsTexas State Senator Phil King says Senate Bill 1515, which he wrote, would require the 10 Commandments to be prominently displayed in every single classroom, in every public school in the state.
Analysis: Maps bolster Republicans in the Texas Senate, especially the top one
Read full article: Analysis: Maps bolster Republicans in the Texas Senate, especially the top oneThe new political maps drawn by the Texas Senate don't just favor Republicans; that much was expected from a Republican majority. The maps help Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pick which Republicans he wants in the Senate.
GOP state Rep. Phil King announces he'll run for new Republican-friendly Senate seat held by Democrat Beverly Powell
Read full article: GOP state Rep. Phil King announces he'll run for new Republican-friendly Senate seat held by Democrat Beverly PowellWithin half an hour of declaring his bid, King got the endorsement of the Senate's presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas lawmakers would prioritize workers in 2021. But advocates say the working class was largely left behind.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas lawmakers would prioritize workers in 2021. But advocates say the working class was largely left behind.After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers.
Analysis: When mapmaking Texas politicians are smiling and quiet, pay attention
Read full article: Analysis: When mapmaking Texas politicians are smiling and quiet, pay attentionThis one is about redistricting — how the state draws its political maps — and it fits the pattern. Political maps are the foundation of who does and doesn’t have a voice in a democracy. Asked whether a Republican House and Senate, with a Republican governor, can be expected to draw maps that favor Republicans, neither lawmaker agreed. Sure enough, they draw maps that increase their chances of success — not only in elections, but in the government decisions that follow. Republicans draw Republican maps.
Bill filing for 2021 Texas session begins with legislation on abortion, police stops and redistricting
Read full article: Bill filing for 2021 Texas session begins with legislation on abortion, police stops and redistrictingBy mid-morning Monday, the first day to pre-file legislation, more than 450 bills had already been filed in the House and Senate. State leaders have already said they expect the upcoming session to be the toughest state lawmakers have seen in years. House Redistricting Committee Chair Phil King, a Weatherford Republican, filed legislation Monday morning related to the composition of House districts and State Board of Education districts with House Bill 63 and 64, respectively. A list of notable bills filed from the day, which will be updated regularly:This is a developing story and will be updated. Sign up for The Brief, the Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.