INSIDER
Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a “blunder,” but will keep group’s $3 million contribution
Read full article: Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a “blunder,” but will keep group’s $3 million contributionTwo other Republican lawmakers are giving away donations after Nick Fuentes was seen visiting the office building associated with Defend Texas Liberty PAC President Jonathan Stickland. The meeting has roiled the party, leading to many Republicans calling on their peers to return money from the PAC.
Texas power struggle: How the nation’s top wind power state turned against renewable energy.
Read full article: Texas power struggle: How the nation’s top wind power state turned against renewable energy.State lawmakers have pushed bills to support fossil fuel-burning power plants and restrict renewable energy development this legislative session.
Texas lawmakers OK bill that aims to keep sexually explicit material out of school libraries
Read full article: Texas lawmakers OK bill that aims to keep sexually explicit material out of school librariesApproved by both chambers, the bill is now on its way to the governor. Unless he vetoes it, the bill will become law, which means book vendors will have to assign ratings to books based on depictions or references to sex.
Bill providing death benefits for National Guard serving along southern border sent to governor
Read full article: Bill providing death benefits for National Guard serving along southern border sent to governorThe legislation was named for Bishop Evans, who drowned last year trying to rescue migrants in the Rio Grande.
House bills could make HIV tests a standard part of sexually transmitted infection screenings and health checks
Read full article: House bills could make HIV tests a standard part of sexually transmitted infection screenings and health checksHouse Bills 3377 and 2235 were authored by freshman state Rep. Venton Jones, the Legislature’s first openly HIV-positive member. They’ve received overwhelming public and bipartisan support.
Texas House passes bill that aims to keep sexually explicit materials out of school libraries
Read full article: Texas House passes bill that aims to keep sexually explicit materials out of school librariesLegal experts, librarians and some parents say House Bill 900’s language is so vague and broad that it could ensnare books that are not inappropriate.
Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concerns
Read full article: Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concernsThe authors of bills in both legislative chambers say their bills’ aim is simple: keeping sexually explicit content off school bookshelves. But opponents say the legislation is vague and broad enough to wreak havoc.
“We just want parity”: Military groups call on lawmakers to give Operation Lone Star troops death benefits
Read full article: “We just want parity”: Military groups call on lawmakers to give Operation Lone Star troops death benefitsLaw enforcement officers who serve on Operation Lone Star get a $500,000 death benefit for their survivors if they die on duty. But National Guard troops on the same mission don’t get a dime from the state for their families if they die.
Texas Republicans have filed dozens of bills affecting LGBTQ people. Here’s what they’d do.
Read full article: Texas Republicans have filed dozens of bills affecting LGBTQ people. Here’s what they’d do.Texas lawmakers this year are debating whether to block transgender kids’ access to transition-related health care, classify businesses that host drag shows as sexually oriented establishments and limit public school lessons on sexuality and gender identity.
Two Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools
Read full article: Two Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schoolsThe legislation closely mirrors a Florida bill passed last year, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which detractors say would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks.
“I want to fight”: LGBTQ Texans ready for legislative session as GOP lawmakers target them in dozens of bills
Read full article: “I want to fight”: LGBTQ Texans ready for legislative session as GOP lawmakers target them in dozens of billsRepublicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows.
GOP Texas House members ask schools not to buy books from vendors that supply “pornographic” materials
Read full article: GOP Texas House members ask schools not to buy books from vendors that supply “pornographic” materialsState Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, and 26 other House colleagues want school leaders to boycott vendors that have offered what conservatives deem pornography.