#Legislature

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. The push came into public view Thursday, when Abbott's office began announcing lawmakers who will take the lead on individual items — state Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, and state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, intend to author legislation cracking down on mail-in bal

Bullet-train battle moves toward special session

AUSTIN — They’re still working on the railroad, but while advocates of the high-speed train linking Dallas and Houston remain bullish about getting off the drawing board and on track, new barriers could loom. “We’re going to do everything we can to get ourselves inserted into the special (legislative) session” scheduled to begin July 18, Kyle Workman, president of Texans Against High-Speed Rail, said in a Wednesday telephone interview. Chris Lippincott, executive director of

A closer look at the final Texas 2018-19 budget

Clashes between the Texas House and Senate dominated the 2017 legislative session, and the state budget process was no exception. After weeks of negotiations over how much to spend on public schools, border security, health insurance for the poor and disabled, and other services, the two chambers approved a $217 billion budget in late May. If Gov. Greg Abbott signs it, the new budget will go into effect on Sept. 1. Here’s a look at how the two dueling budget proposals compare

Texas Legislature passes no new laws to stop high-speed rail

A proposed high-speed rail line connecting Dallas to Houston appears to be on track for development after the Texas Legislature adjourned this week without passing any new laws that would stop the project. But, while supporters of the project are celebrating, opponents say the proposed 200 mph-plus bullet train is still far from being a done deal. “As the Texas Legislature completes its regular session, work on the bullet train remains at high speed,” Holly Reed, spokeswoman

Dan Patrick's $20,000 tax savings claim proves incorrect, ridiculous

Texas Lt. Gov . Dan Patrick made such a dramatic claim about "must-pass" tax-rate legislation--$20,000 in savings for the average homeowner every year!--we launched a fact check. Patrick, during 17 minutes of remarks to Capitol reporters May 17, 2017, named Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, as one of two measures--along with the Senate-backed proposal barring local governments and school districts from letting transgender residents use bathrooms of

Surprise: Senate tacks 'bathroom bill,' property-tax reform onto House measure

AUSTIN — In a surprise move, the Texas Senate early Wednesday tacked its controversial version of the 'bathroom bill" and property-tax reform measures into a catch-all House bill. But it was a trap, the House author of the so-called "Christmas tree" bill confirmed, and the measures added to it are now dead. Among the 48 amendments the Senate tacked onto House Bill 4180 were the Senate-passed versions of Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 2, two measures the House had watered-down

Gov. Abbott gets $100 million more for budget priorities to avert special session

AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott obtained an additional $100 million for his office's economic-development programs early Sunday by threatening to veto the state budget and force a special session, according to two people familiar with the late-hour intervention. House and Senate budget negotiators relented, but the House's price was some extra education money it had been pressing for, the officials said. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has insisted savings not be used for any ongoing ex

Fort Worth takes big step toward high-speed rail link with Dallas

As state lawmakers in Austin debate measures that could kill plans for high-speed trains between downtown Dallas and Houston, the Fort Worth City Council is moving forward with plans to create a rail link to Dallas. Fort Worth and Dallas are in the process of preparing for a 30- to 40-mile high-speed rail line between the two cities called the DFW Core Express. A $15 million environmental impact study of the possible route is expected to be completed in 2018. On Tuesday, the

Bill filed for joint interim committee on high-speed rail development!

#Texas #Legislature

Critical bills being heard on the Senate floor 4/10/17!

StartFragmentSB 385 (S) Author: Burton, Konni Relating to voter approval of local acceptance and use of federal funds for passenger rail projects.EndFragment StartFragmentSB 461 (S) Author: Lucio, Eddie Relating to the notice required before the issuance of certain debt obligations by political subdivisions.EndFragment StartFragmentSB 626 (S) Author: Schwertner, Charles Relating to the acquisition of certain real property in conjunction with the acquisition of real propert