Senate Bill 21 passed Tuesday, raising the legal purchasing age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. But its author amended the legislation to exclude active military from the age raise.
Joan Huffman
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In Harvey's Wake
Bill would prevent Texans from unknowingly buying homes in areas designed to flood
After Hurricane Harvey inundated the Houston area with rain, scores of homeowners learned too late that their properties were designed to flood. Senate Bill 339 would require sellers to disclose that risk, as well as whether a home has previously flooded.
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Criminal Justice
Texas police made more than $50 million in 2017 from seizing people’s property. Not everyone was guilty of a crime.
Law enforcement leaders say civil asset forfeiture is a necessary tool for fighting crime, but several lawmakers see it as a violation of Americans’ civil liberties. Texas legislators are poised to take up the issue once again in 2019.
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Texas Elections 2018
Democrats Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell defeat state Sens. Don Huffines and Konni Burton in Texas midterm
Burton and Huffines were two of three Republican senators in districts where more voters backed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in 2016 or where the president had a narrow winning margin.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Don’t count your (Democratic) chickens until they’re elected
Texas political eyes are watching for Republican weaknesses and Democratic chances in two or three state Senate districts. But the tables could be turned in a fourth, where Democrats have ruled for ages.
Posted inState Government
Lawsuit claims Texas senator interfered in liquor agency investigation
State Sen. Joan Huffman denies that she tried to influence an investigation into a bar in which she had a financial interest. A fired agent said he was told a state senator tried to kill the probe, but he doesn’t have evidence that Huffman “told anybody to falsify records or delete records.”
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Texas Elections 2018
In Texas elections, as in schools, participation is part of the grade
Political candidates wanting a major boost from a public education voting bloc last week saw their hopes fall when teachers did not show up to the polls in the numbers they had expected. But educator voting advocates argue their political strength is only growing.
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Higher Education
Some lawmakers think free speech is endangered at Texas colleges. But what can they do about it?
Free speech on campus has become a hot-button issue, but it’s unclear how lawmakers can better protect it — or if they need to.
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Texas Elections 2018
Fort Bend school board president challenging state Sen. Joan Huffman
Kristin Tassin, the president of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, is running against state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, in the 2018 GOP primary.
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Criminal Justice
Texas House advances bill that would outlaw bestiality
The state of Texas on Saturday moved one step closer to joining the large majority of states that consider sexual conduct between humans and animals or fowl a crime.