With the beginning of the special legislative session, opponents of construction permitting rules in Austin that require more worker protections in exchange for a faster process have the chance to overturn local regulations like Austin’s.
special sessions
Gov. Abbott: I’m keeping a list of lawmakers who oppose me during special session
Gov. Greg Abbott says he’s going to keep a list of lawmakers who oppose his agenda during the special legislative session, and that property tax reform is his top priority.
Texas Democrats lay out their own special session priorities
Democrats in the Texas Legislature outlined their priorities for the upcoming special legislative session on Monday, focusing on several issues that did not appear on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the session.
Analysis: Special session sniping underway before the opening gavels
The Texas Legislature is returning to Austin, but the leaders of the Senate and the House appear to be starting the new session on the same sour notes with which they ended the regular session seven weeks ago.
Critics say Abbott catering to donors with special session priorities
As state lawmakers and city officials gear up to battle over land-use legislation, a liberal watchdog group says $34 million in campaign donations from real estate and construction industries “paved the way” for this month’s special session agenda.
Lawmakers file dozens of bills as Abbott officially calls special session
Within hours of Gov. Greg Abbott issuing his proclamation announcing next week’s special session, lawmakers had filed dozens of bills including two so-called bathroom bills from state Rep. Ron Simmons, a Carrollton Republican.
Analysis: When Austin isn’t the summer getaway lawmakers had in mind
Texas lawmakers will be back in Austin for a special session in just two weeks. They’d rather be elsewhere, on vacation or — in some cases — for much more tactical reasons.
Analysis: You can fight City Hall — if you’re governor of Texas
Local government attorneys in Texas are about to take a page from Greg Abbott, who spent 12 years as the top attorney for the state of Texas — suing a faraway government that has its nose in their business.
Abbott plots aggressive approach to special session
Gov. Greg Abbott is plotting an aggressive approach to the upcoming special session of the Legislature, diverting from his above-the-fray style to try to see through an ambitious 20-item agenda.
Texas congressman thanks Capitol police for saving lives (video)
A Texas congressman recalls the scene at a shooting in Washington, D.C. this week, a new poll finds Republicans in Texas think President Trump is doing a fine job and Gov. Greg Abbott hopes lawmakers will give local tree ordinances the ax.

