Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee.
Lois Kolkhorst
Posted in
Criminal Justice
How one transgender boy sees the “bathroom bill” debate (video)
A new bill would mandate that people use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” A business group and families with transgender members are working to oppose it.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: The will of the voters — when the Legislature agrees
The so-called “bathroom bill” unveiled by Republican leaders last week is the latest piece of legislation that would overwrite local laws with state regulations cooked up in Austin.
Posted in
Health care
Citing “bathroom bill,” Percy Jackson author declines Legislature invitation
Author Rick Riordan is declining to attend the Texas Legislature’s celebration of authors event, saying the reason is because of the proposed “bathroom bill.”
Posted inState Government
Texas lawmakers mulling addition of paper backups to voting machines
Amid concerns about “rigged” voting machines, both Gov. Greg Abbott and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst have expressed interest in legislation to add paper trail backups to the state’s electronic voting machines.
Posted in
31 Days, 31 Ways (2015)
Foster Care Youth Getting State Ombudsman
Starting Sept. 1, children in Texas foster care will get an ombudsman to help them navigate the system, find their caseworkers and report complaints. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texting Bill’s Demise a Victory for Tea Party Freshmen
It was a mostly new cast of characters in the Texas Senate, a chamber historically ruled by seniority, that flexed its political muscle to stop a statewide texting-while-driving ban this year.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Hazlewood
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, were pessimistic about the possibility of a compromise on the Hazlewood Act.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Ethics Reform
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, discussed whether meaningful ethics reform will pass this session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Open Carry
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, talked about the fate of the open carry bill — and the prospect of a filibuster.
