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October 8, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Legislature is coming back tomorrow for a third special session.
Only the governor can call the Legislature back for special sessions. They can last up to 30 days at a time and can only be on issues he places on the call.
Here are the issues Gov. Abbott has tasked lawmakers with tackling during the special session:
- Education Freedom: Legislation providing education savings accounts for all Texas school children.
- Border Security:
- Legislation to do more to reduce illegal immigration by creating a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from a foreign nation and authorizing all licensed peace officers to remove illegal immigrants from Texas.
- Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by increasing the penalties for criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house.
- Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by providing more funding for the construction, operation, and maintenance of
border barrier infrastructure.
- Public Safety: Legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas.
- Ending COVID Restrictions: Legislation prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers.
The Third Special Legislative Session will begin on Monday, October 9 at 1 p.m.
Featured
There are 14 constitutional amendments on the November ballot that must be approved by a majority of Texas voters for the underlying legislation to take effect.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, True Texas Project, and the Huffines Liberty Foundation have all released recommendations for voting on these amendments.
We have compiled their recommendations in one place.
Additionally, each amendment has an analysis put together by the Texas Legislative Council, complete with comments from supporters and opponents.
State
Ken Paxton Endorses Challengers to ‘Liberal RINO Republicans’
Paxton will also be touring the state in support of his endorsed candidates.
Texas Lawmakers Propose Plan to ‘Clean Up and Clean Out’ Colony Ridge
State Reps. Steve Toth, Brian Harrison, Nate Schatzline, and Tony Tinderholt say the legislature should consider placing Liberty County in a conservatorship.
Dan Patrick Addresses House’s ‘Ill-advisedly Concocted’ Impeachment
Patrick compared the performance of the House Managers to “a tee-ball player tripping over their shoelaces.”
Local
Baylor College of Medicine to Require COVID-19 Shots
An email sent last week states that the school will now require students, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID shot.
Tarrant County Commissioners Reject Funding for Girls Inc.
The organization has criticized Texas for pro-life and pro-women legislation.
Parents Blast Plano School Board Over Sexually Explicit Books
State law allows school district officials to remove material that is harmful to minors or has no educational value.
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Quoting...
"It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company."
- George Washington
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