Tag Archives: special session
The Texas Legislature’s Chainsaw Massacre
In the name of “liberty,” Senate Republicans are hacking down local rules protecting trees — except when they’re making exceptions for themselves.
At least 90 cities and counties in Texas have ordinances protecting trees. San Antonio has an ordinance. Weatherford has an ordinance. Austin has an ordinance. ...Read More
Governor Abbott’s Beef with Tree Ordinances Has Its Roots in a Pecan Tree He Destroyed to Build a New Home
In his haste to build a new home and swimming pool, Greg Abbott killed a protected pecan tree in violation of Austin’s rules.
In his haste to build a new home and swimming pool, Greg Abbott killed a protected pecan tree in violation of Austin’s rules....Read More
30 Days of Horror: Greg Abbott Calls Texas Legislature Back for Summer Session
The governor announced the Legislature will reconvene on July 18 to address his grab-bag list of 20 issues.
At a press conference in which he took no questions, Governor Greg Abbott announced a July 18 special session that had a not-so-subtle undertone: I’m in charg...Read More
Worst. Legislature. Ever. How Did We Get Here?
The Republican Party of Texas, hostage to its own overreach and gerrymandered districts, will never fix itself.
Grind with me for a moment the gears of imagination, and consider a state not unlike our own — let’s call it Rexas — which has demonstrated an unusual deg...Read More
Special Session Edition: Dan Patrick Locks the Legislature in a Bathroom Stall
Dan Patrick is forcing a special session to get his bathroom bill passed.
Sometimes the right questions to ask at the Texas Legislature are the simple ones, like: Dear god, what’s happening? And, Dear god, why is this happening? And...Read More
Goodbye, 84th Texas Meh-gislature
In addition to an overall lack of productivity, the 84th Legislature’s tax cuts and budget ploys make future sessions look grim for Texas lawmakers....Read More
Filibuster Drama Shows Side of Texas Rarely Seen
In abortion fight, a new Texas—young, urban, diverse—made itself heard.
In abortion fight, a new Texas—young, urban, diverse—made itself heard. ...Read More