Texas Legislature Stories
Law Enforcement Increasingly Opposed to Abbott’s Agenda
Texas’ War on Local Control is Part of National Trend
Nearly 150 progressive officials gathered in Austin last weekend to build the fight against GOP-controlled state legislatures.
Nearly 150 progressive officials from all over the country gathered in Austin to build the fight against GOP-controlled state legislatures....Read More
Mean to Green: How the Texas Legislature Took its Toll on the Environment This Session
Lawmakers have weakened citizens’ ability to challenge polluters, made flying drones over oil and gas facilities a jailable offense and slashed funding for the state’s environmental agencies.
Lawmakers weakened citizens’ ability to challenge polluters, made flying drones over oil and gas facilities a jailable offense and slashed funding for environ...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
Bill Aims to Protect Communities of Color from Polluting Concrete Facilities
Senator Borris Miles’ bill requires concrete crushing facilities to be located at least 440 yards away from parks and playgrounds.
Concrete crushing plants, which recycle concrete from demolished roads and buildings, can emit plumes of fine dust, worsening nearby residents’ asthma and oth...Read More
Anti-LGBT Lawmakers Unveil Slew of ‘Religious Freedom’ Bills Despite Business Concerns
A conservative member warned of a 'public fight' if House leadership tries to kill discriminatory legislation.
A conservative member warned of a 'public fight' if House leadership tries to kill discriminatory legislation....Read More
Myth-Busting Immigration Detainers: They’re Optional, Costly and Rarely Lead to Deportation
In 2015, federal authorities never followed up on 62 percent of immigration detainers issued to local jails. Overall, only 15 percent of detainers led to deportations.
In 2015, federal authorities never followed up on 62 percent of immigration detainers issued to local jails. Overall, only 15 percent of detainers led to deport...Read More
On Inauguration Day, UT-Austin Students Demand School Be ‘Sanctuary from Oppression’
Hundreds of students gathered at UT-Austin to inaugurate resistance to the Trump administration.
Hundreds of students gathered at UT-Austin to inaugurate resistance to the Trump administration....Read More
Who Benefits from Dan Patrick’s Potty Politics? (Hint: Dan Patrick)
The ‘bathroom bill’ is a flash-bang grenade meant to divert attention from the state’s real problems.
Set aside, for a moment, all substantive considerations about the coming legislative potty wars, whose first shot was fired Thursday by Lieutenant Governor Dan ...Read More
GOP State Lawmakers Again Take Aim at Wall of Church-State Separation
Anti-Shariah, anti-abortion, pro-Israel proposals run counter to First Amendment
GOP Legislators Take Aim at Church-State Separation Anti-Shariah, anti-abortion, pro-Israel proposals run counter to First Amendment. While many of us have be...Read More