During a legislative session focused on schools and taxes, Texas lawmakers did little to prepare for the possibility that Obamacare will be struck down in its entirety — even as the state leads the charge to have the law declared unconstitutional.
86th Legislative Session
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Jonathan Stickland and Joe Straus, still sailing in opposite directions
As one of the most rambunctious officeholders in Texas leaves the political scene, one of the quietest is swooping back in.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas is trying to limit public money from going to abortion providers. Some fear other health services could get cut.
Starting in September, government agencies will no longer be able to provide anything of value to abortion providers or their affiliates. Opponents of the law fear it could mean the end of some public health and education programs across the state.
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Texas Legislature 2019
New Texas law protects rent-to-own customers against criminal prosecution
Texas made it easy for rent-to-own companies to press criminal charges against people who fell behind on their payments for household goods. A new law, passed after a Texas Tribune and NerdWallet investigation, gives broad new protections to their customers.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Stealing packages could result in jail time in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill
Starting Sept. 1, Texans who take items from mailboxes and porches face tougher penalties for their crimes. But some say punishments are too extreme since they’re not based on the value of what’s taken.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Texas just spent billions to boost school funding, lower property taxes. Voters approve, but not overwhelmingly, UT/TT Poll says.
Texas lawmakers are boasting about ambitious education and property tax legislation they passed this year, but voters don’t appear to be completely sold, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Posted inState Government
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a proposed Texas law banning guns in secure airport areas. Supporters say it’s still needed.
Federal law already makes it illegal for most people to possess a weapon on secure parts of an airport tarmac. The bill was aimed at also allowing local law enforcement, especially at smaller airports, to take action in the face of an emergency.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Here’s how some of the Texas Legislature’s most important bills fared in the 2019 session
Greg Abbott is done vetoing and signing bills for the 2019 Texas session. Here are the big bills that passed — and the ones that failed.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill requiring children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats
Abbott said the measure “is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization.”
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs $250 billion budget with no line-item vetoes
In addition to signing the 2020-21 budget, Abbott vetoed several dozen bills that the Legislature had passed.