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March 12, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
We have officially hit our first major deadline in Texas' legislative session. Friday marked the 60th day of the 140 day legislative session, which means two things:
- Bills can longer be filed in the House or Senate (unless approved by a supermajority of members).
- All bills are now eligible to be voted on in either chamber.
Lawmakers filing a staggering 5,301 bills in the Texas House–more than ever before–and 2,565 bills in the Texas Senate.
Before that deadline, only bills that were deemed "emergency items" by Gov. Greg Abbott were allowed to be voted on. Those items were announced rather late in the session, on the 38th day of the session. Of Abbott's 7 priorities, the Texas Senate passed legislation related to school safety, while moving other priority bills through the committee process.
The House, meanwhile, has not passed any bills—priorities or otherwise.
They have, however, found time to pass commemorative resolutions. Last week, the Texas House approved a resolution celebrating Texas Muslim Capitol Day. They also unanimously voted to approve a package of nearly 200 resolutions, including one to recognize LGBT Advocacy Groups and their leftist legislative agenda.
After they voted for it, 54 members registered their opposition in a "journal statement"—a way of stating their position on the resolution without actually voting against it or affecting its passage.
In other words, another opaque part of the legislative process that is often used to attempt to deceive voters. Beware!
This week...
- The Texas Senate is scheduled to return on Monday Mar 12, 2:00 pm.
- The Texas House is scheduled to return on Monday Mar 12, 2:00 pm.
- Texas Scorecard has an update to our previous investigative series looking at Chinese Communist influence in Texas. The first article is out Monday at noon!
Filed Bills...
Featured
by Sydnie Henry
Proposed legislation has until May 29 to pass through both legislative chambers before heading to the governor’s desk for final approval.
During the previous 87th Legislative Session, of the nearly 7,000 bills filed in the House and Senate, less than 2,000 passed into law.
Now, of the combined 7,866 bills filed in the House and Senate, House and Senate Leadership will prioritize around 100 pieces of legislation.
State
Texas Tech Suspends Coach After Quoting Scripture
“I said that in the Bible that Jesus talks about how we all have bosses, and we all are servants.”
Texas Senate Advances ‘Fix’ to Restore Felony Penalty for Illegal Voting
Republican lawmakers are fixing a problem they themselves created.
Surge of Illegal Aliens Costs Texas Taxpayers $13.4 Billion Annually
“Lawmakers have just two and half months to take action to bring down the state’s enormous price tag for illegal immigration.”
Local
Texas Comptroller Investigating Plano Bar for Hosting ‘All-ages’ Drag Show
“[M]y office will continue to work within the confines of existing law and investigate performances to determine if an entity must pay the fees associated with operating a sexually oriented business.”
Special Ed Teacher Who Coached Girls’ Soccer Arrested for ‘Inappropriate Contact’ With Student
New Braunfels police say the investigation is ongoing, and Bryant Shephard may face additional charges.
Undercover Footage: Frisco ISD Trustees to Squelch Conservative Voices
FISD board president says she wants to silence the conservative “hate crowd.”
Commentary
A Physical Barrier is Necessary: Finish Trump’s Border Wall
Although a wall is not a magic bullet for border security, it is a necessary portion of any effort to secure the border.
Transparency at the Texas Capitol
Simply put, open government is good government.
TX-23: Rep. Gonzales’ New Challenges
The 23rd has flipped between the parties four times and had five incumbents during the 16-year period.
If you wish to publish a commentary at Texas Scorecard, please submit it for consideration to [email protected].
Texas Scorecard TV App!
Have you checked out Texas Scorecard's streaming video apps for Roku and Apple TV?
In addition to our growing library of shows and video content, the Texas Scorecard TV app also includes gavel-to-gavel live coverage of the Senate and House chambers.
The app is available for free right now: simply go to the Roku or Apple TV app store, and search for "Texas Scorecard."
Quoting...
"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."
- Thomas Jefferson
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