State lawmakers have rejected dozens of bills that would have prevented people from legally obtaining weapons used in many mass shootings. Instead, they’ve made it easier for residents to get guns and harder for local governments to regulate them.
84th Legislative Session
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas legislators eye tougher rules on chemical tanks to prevent explosions, spills during storms
A string of explosions involving little-regulated petroleum and chemical storage tanks have lawmakers and regulators talking about new rules as the Legislature prepares to convene this month.
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Coronavirus in Texas
In 2015, Texas lawmakers rejected effort to upgrade state’s disease response
After the Ebola outbreak, a task force recommended stockpiling protective gear and expanding state powers to deal with infectious diseases. “Tinfoil hats” opposed to big government killed a bill that would have done it, its sponsor says.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmakers have tried to end daylight saving time for years. Can they do it this session?
State lawmakers are again trying to abolish daylight saving time in Texas, arguing it’s antiquated. But supporters of the practice argue it gives Texans a crucial extra hour of light in the evenings during the summer months.
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Politics
News of Rep. Dawnna Dukes’ change in plans fuels questions for potential successors
As a news report came out Saturday that state Rep. Dawnna Dukes no longer plans to leave office, the hopefuls looking to succeed her in House District 46 were left wondering whether there was still a campaign left to be run.
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Transportation
Texas Lawmaker: Legislature Should Invest in Maritime Ports
The state Legislature should increase its focus on maritime ports and dedicate money to increasing their capacity during next year’s session, said state Rep. Larry Gonzales during a House committee hearing Monday.
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Environment
In Time for Shark Week, Fin Ban Takes Effect
A ban on the trade of shark fins in Texas goes into effect Friday — just in time for the popular string of Discovery Channel programming known as “Shark Week.”
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State Government
Lt. Gov. Patrick Suggests Legislature Might Step In on Bathroom Guidelines
Declaring that “this fight is just beginning,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday escalated his battle against guidelines in Texas and across the country that allow students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
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Politics
State Rep. Wayne Smith Now Wants Recount in House District 128 Runoff
In a reversal, state Rep. Wayne Smith is now pursuing a recount in his narrow loss in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff.
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Politics
Senators Vow to Tighten Emergency Leave Rules
Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday vowed to “tighten it up” when it comes to granting emergency leave to state employees.