No images? Click here
November 17, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
With just two months left until the start of the legislative session, last week marked an important milestone: the beginning of pre-filing legislation.
Though they have until the 60th day of the session, which will fall on March 14, to file proposed legislation, lawmakers get an additional 60 days prior to the start of the session to file bills early.
Legislation addressing major issues is already being filed, including ending in-state tuition for illegal aliens, protecting Texas land from foreign ownership, property tax relief, and others.
Texas provides citizens access to filed legislation virtually immediately through Texas Legislature Online.
Bills filed in the Texas House can be viewed here.
Bills filed in the Texas Senate can be viewed here.
These reports are updated continuously as legislation is filed throughout the legislative session and contain bill authors, sponsors, and text. After the session begins, the status of bills will be updated as they move through the process.
Featured
In his role as spokesman for House Speaker Dade Phelan, former Gov. Rick Perry said in an interview this week that Democrats will continue to hold chairmanships in the Texas House.
“I came in January of 1985 and there have always been Democrats as chairs when we had Republican speakers, I suggest that will continue,” Perry told KXAN.
When Perry entered the Texas House in 1985, he did so as a Democrat and Democrats held a majority in chamber. Perry did not switch to the GOP until he ran for statewide office.
As the Democrats have moved further to the left, the practice of awarding them committee chairmanships has come under scrutiny by GOP activists in recent years because of conservative priorities being stymied by the House leadership.
State
Supreme Court of Texas: House Committee Can’t Stop Child Murderer’s Execution
The scheme was challenged by many Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who said the committee “stepped out of line” in issuing the subpoena at the eleventh hour.
Texas Lawmaker Files Measures to Protect Property Taxpayers
State Rep. Brian Harrison pre-filed several bills requiring more transparency and accountability from local taxing entities.
Will Texas Finally End Taxpayer-funded Lobbying?
Heading into this session, the issue has been made a legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas.
Local
Travis County DA Sues Paxton to Prevent Release of Records
Garza has sued Attorney General Ken Paxton to conceal details of $115,000 in expenditures on undisclosed security ‘improvements’ at the district attorney’s home.
Astrodome’s New Life? $1 Billion Revitalization Plan Faces Opposition
The Astrodome Conservancy says the current plan will be revenue-generating and largely privately funded.
El Paso ISD Asks Students For Their Gender Identities and Sexual Orientations
The district circulated an “Equity Assessment Survey” to 9th through 12th graders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the conversation with Texas Scorecard on any or all of our social media accounts!
The Texas Scorecard Journalism Fellowship is a comprehensive program designed for conservative Texans under the age of 25 with an interest in public policy, effective civic engagement, political accountability, and Texas history.
