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The Lege This Week: Behind Closed Doors
With the end of session near, Texas lawmakers descend into the backrooms of the Capitol to hash out hugely consequential legislation.
Justin Miller
Justin Miller covers politics and state government for the Texas Observer. He previously worked for The American Prospect magazine in Washington, D.C., and has also written for The Intercept, The New Republic and In These Times. Originally from the Twin Cities, he received a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota.
Articles by Justin Miller
Texas’ Largest Corporate Welfare Program Is Leaving Companies Flush and School Districts Broke
The state’s Chapter 313 program offers steep discounts on property taxes to attract big industrial projects that are supposed to pay off over the long term. But by the time these projects return to the tax rolls, much of that value has disappeared.
The Lege This Week: Lurching Rightward
As the session enters its final stretch, Republicans are advancing a barrage of right-wing bills—from permitless carry and abortion bans to pro-fossil fuel theatrics and anti-“woke” mandates for schools.
The Lege This Week: The Capitol’s Longstanding Toxic Culture
From allegations of sexual misconduct to Dan Patrick's push for permitless carry, here's what happened this week in the 87th Texas Legislature.
The Lege This Week: Instead of Addressing Mass Shootings, Lawmakers Expand Gun Rights
The Texas House passes a controversial bill that would allow Texans to carry a handgun without a permit.
The Lege This Week: Stimmy for Schools?
The Texas Senate passes its budget bill without addressing billions of dollars in unspent federal relief. Now, public education advocates are demanding that lawmakers open up the spigot for local school districts.
The Lege This Week: “Another Watershed Moment”
The push for an omnibus reform package named after George Floyd underscores how outrage over his death changed local and state policy debates around policing.
The Lege This Week: GOP Launches Election Crackdown
The state’s biggest counties took action to make it easier to vote during the pandemic, helping spur record-level turnout. Now, Texas Republicans are vying to prohibit those measures in future elections.
The Lege This Week: Abbott Lets His Mask Slip
From one crisis to the next: With Texas still reeling from the February blackouts, the governor decides to lift state COVID-19 mandates—then blames immigrants for spreading the virus.
The Texas Public Utility Commission’s Revolving Door Between Industry and Regulator
The state’s utility regulator drew intense scrutiny from legislators last week for failing to regulate the electric industry ahead of the February blackouts. Many of its top staffers have worked for the power companies it oversees.