The proposed court would handle some of the state’s most high-profile appeals, which are typically handled by the mostly Democrat 3rd Court of Appeals based in Austin.
87th Legislative Session
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Texas Legislature 2021
Transgender students in Texas would be barred from school sports teams matching their gender identity under a bill advanced by state Senate
The proposal would prohibit students from participating in a sport “that is designated for the biological sex opposite to the student’s biological sex as determined at the student’s birth.”
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate revives push to block cities’ paid sick leave ordinances
Supporters say Senate Bill 14 will make it easier for businesses to operate in multiple cities. Opponents call it an “existential threat to Texas workers.”
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Health care
Rick Perry returns to the Texas Capitol to pitch study of psychedelic drugs for PTSD in veterans
The former Republican governor is throwing his weight behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, that would order a clinical study of using psilocybin — found in “magic mushrooms” — to help veterans with mental health problems.
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Point of Order
Point of Order: King of the road
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Senate Transportation Chair Robert Nichols about Infrastructure Week and the challenges of getting people and goods from point to point in a fast-growing, rapidly urbanizing state.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Congress allocated $19 billion in federal stimulus money to Texas public education, but schools have yet to see an extra dime
Three federal stimulus packages passed during the pandemic included more than $19 billion for Texas public schools, but state leaders have yet to distribute most of the money. Local districts say they need it to cover pandemic-related costs.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas’ rent relief program has been plagued by problems that slow payments and could prompt evictions
According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications for rental assistance, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. And only 250 of payments have been sent.
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Point of Order
Point of Order: Democratic leaders on a challenging year for their party
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Chris Turner and Carol Alvarado, the chairs of the Democratic Caucuses of the Texas House and Texas Senate, about a challenging year for their party.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers want to prevent another power crisis. But the legislation doesn’t go far enough to do that, critics say.
Some say lawmakers should go further to ensure power plants can withstand increased weather due to climate change. And they worry that much of the legislation advancing will be up to the Public Utility Commission to enforce.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, gets Texas Senate OK
The slate of bills must still go to the House for approval.