The latest Dan Patrick news from The Texas Tribune.
The legislation was a priority for Republican leadership. But it does not include a key provision supported by the Senate that would have allowed prosecutors to charge a voter who’d unintentionally cast an illegal ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f4ca287aa39c772bd1c063e9925aac8/1108%20Houston%20Election%20Day%20MS%20TT%2005.jpg)
Lawmakers voted unanimously to reverse the 2021 provision that would have decertified equipment that counties use to count votes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/96f441f806ba1e2ea757c01c68384c2c/Hays%20County%20Election%20Test%20EL%20TT%2025.jpg)
Republicans have chosen to remain largely silent during years of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking by the attorney general. Now they will have to take a public stand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2cfa226b5cdf0a7a57d42a73f6926aa/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%2031.jpg)
The House and Senate bills had differed on whether someone should be punished for voting by mistake. Now the two chambers must reach an agreement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a6b55e1487849cf084aa82f3ff55195/Laredo%20Election%20Day%20JR%20TT%2002.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to eliminate tenure, but his attempts have impacted the institute he helped create. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/efe5a9dd1f8a1fe8e3cd5d636d37b490/TxTrib_Campus_030.jpg)
Emotions often ran high over a proposal to limit young adults’ access to some firearms. Lawmakers have largely prioritized school safety measures, but there was still progress for some gun-related legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d658b44b072668a5c9b96b594f592dbe/0124%20Uvalde%20Legislation%20EL%2002.jpg)
The Texas Senate wants to ban tenure. The House gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would instead enshrine tenure policies in state law. After final passage, the two chambers have a week left to come to a compromise. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c89377a8dcbc721ea0059f96716cd030/UNT%20File%20BT%20TT%2010.jpg)
For the third time, the Senate is pushing a proposal critics say will ignore the existence of LGBTQ people in every grade level. Two other bills that contained similar language missed key legislative deadlines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b0dc5a34dad27ca4087c6e4233a7677/0127%20School%20Choice%20Lifkin%20CO%2002%20TT.jpg)
Seeking to avoid a special session, the state leaders discuss school choice, property taxes and grid reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4721edbb3c4feb2126352f95ba3a2c0a/Phelan%20Abbott%20Patrick%20TT.jpg)
Whether it’s supporting a rape exception for abortion or opposing school choice, Nichols has gone his own way on certain GOP priorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b897b30790472889eac28a092830d5c/040919%20Senate%20Floor%20JF%2015223.jpg)
Priority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that is still alive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbbce63096ea64d81f63ded0de1aefb0/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott has already signaled he would call a special session if lawmakers failed to pass a voucher-like program open to all students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d34f5e797b5e76a5c7bdc0f8586ecb40/Abbott%20Corpus%20School%20Choice%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Republicans are at odds on whether to advance, contest or even toss out the House’s amended version of the bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/707be83292cc25cdb8e97eae7c11155a/UT%20File%20JM%2001%20TT.jpg)
The bill no longer targets drag performers, but LGBTQ advocates say the legislation’s vague language could still be used to criminalize such shows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/853050a77289d359c3267da943a9c5b9/Dallas%20Pride%20Block%20Party%20ST%2005.jpg)
Although the lower chamber backed the Senate’s action on gender-affirming care, it has been less accepting of school choice and attempts to rein in higher education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6646ae969f1450374ff40e3cf8f9939f/House%20Budget%20Day%20JV%20TT%2032.jpg)
Both the House and the Senate’s proposals on property tax cuts would give modest savings to the typical Texas homeowner, but critics say the House plan could create vast inequities and disproportionately benefit wealthy homeowners. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ac70d85c2395ee9b7df4fa98bf02dac/1214%20Community%20Land%20Trust%20OH%20TT%2014.jpg)
Facing a rigid deadline, gaming supporters were unable to get the supermajority support needed to move the legislation forward. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/00e10530b6571476cd11829c888c3baa/0406%20House%20Budget%20Day%20TT%20EL%2014.jpg)
A resolution to let voters decide whether to legalize casino gambling, however, was delayed for a day while supporters worked to find enough support for passage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bcced1dc45913da51e95a2098f2aeac0/Bellagio%20Casino%20REUTERS.jpg)
Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, pledged to defend his legislation dialing back Senate bills that would eliminate tenure and ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices. But faculty and students say even the House versions will hurt higher education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbe0beacb39cf304bea4960d45a956ad/2023-03-23_DEI_Capitol_Sit_Pu.Ying.Huang%20185.jpg)
Texas is among at least 11 states that have agreed to distribute fingerprinting kits sold by Kenny Hansmire’s Waco-based National Child Identification Program. Some are spending millions even though similar kits are available for free. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/147bec4883ebcf15a8d4195b65963c43/20230508%20ncidp.jpg)