INSIDER
Texas House budgets $545 million for prison air conditioning. The Senate hasn’t offered anything.
Read full article: Texas House budgets $545 million for prison air conditioning. The Senate hasn’t offered anything.Sweltering heat has killed inmates, driven away prison workers and cost taxpayers millions in lawsuits. The House budget would provide air conditioning for 46 prisons, but it’s unclear if the Senate will sign on.
Jill Biden invites Austin couple to State of the Union to highlight abortion access
Read full article: Jill Biden invites Austin couple to State of the Union to highlight abortion accessAmanda Zurawski developed a life-threatening infection last year after her water broke when she was only 18 weeks pregnant. Citing the state’s abortion ban, her doctors refused to intervene to induce labor even though there was no way her baby would survive.
After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioning
Read full article: After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioningThe bill initially approved by the House aims to cool all of Texas’ prisons before 2029. But even if it is signed into law, the lockups will only be air conditioned if lawmakers provide specific funds for installation.
In economic crisis, Texas Democrats push to legalize marijuana. Key Republicans likely stand in the way.
Read full article: In economic crisis, Texas Democrats push to legalize marijuana. Key Republicans likely stand in the way.State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January. But given the state of the economy and more states following the trend to legalize and tax cannabis, they said action was needed. A report by the American Civil Liberties Union found that, in 2018, Black people in Texas were 2.6 times more likely to be arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession than white people.