The number of fines for breaking state campaign ethics laws has exploded in recent years as Ken Paxton’s office rarely pursues stricter enforcement.

A judge has called a new law unconstitutional that passed in the GOP-led Texas Legislature that will dictate how elections are run in the state’s most populous county.

The Senate wants to eliminate tenure altogether while the House seeks to enshrine it in state law. The two chambers have until May 26 to come to an agreement.

The CROWN Act would ensure protection for Texans who wear their hair in natural styles such as braids, locs, twists or knots.

The lawmakers called on major sports organizations to not host championship games in the state until the governor rescinds his guidance to agencies and universities.

Texas Tech’s review comes as Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed state agencies and public universities that “forbidden DEI initiatives” violate federal and state employment discrimination laws.

Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.

There were 99 members registered as present Thursday evening, the exact number needed to end the 38-day Democratic quorum break over the GOP’s priority elections bill. But not all of those members were physically on the floor.

Democrats are renewing their push to enact their marquee elections bill.

Reynolds is among the Texas House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., last month to block a state voting restrictions bill.

“It’s humiliating to be required to sit for the song or be in the presence,” said Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP. Students have also called on the school to stop playing the song from the bell tower. In his report, Alberto Martinez provided documentation linking the phrase “The Eyes of Texas” to a statement made in reference to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. This complicates its understanding and explains how different people experienced the song in vastly different ways.”A UT-Austin spokesperson said the university stands behind its report. AdOn Monday, a UT-Austin band member said said the implications of protesting the song were unclear for students.

FILE - In this Monday, June 8, 2020, file photo, local residents and alumni of Jack Yates High School take part in a candlelight vigil to honor George Floyd, in Houston. The George Floyd Act was scheduled to get its first hearing in the Texas Capitol on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Outside of George Floyd's public memorial last summer in Texas, Republican Gov. Earlier this month in Congress, House Democrats passed the most ambitious effort in decades to overhaul policing nationwide under the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Ad___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

(Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune)Seventeen Democrats in the Texas House launched a climate, environment and energy caucus this week with one simple goal: To talk about climate change at the Texas Capitol, where conversations on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases have been sidelined for years. Led by state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, the caucus includes Democrats from major cities across the state. Members pointed out that the Legislature didn’t hold a single hearing on any bill related to climate change during the last session. Instead, they have their sights set on a more modest goal they hope is achievable — holding at least one hearing on climate change. “Minority communities are facing the brunt of these injustices,” said state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, a civil rights attorney.