| DAILY BUZZ | CALENDAR |
| R & D | FREE SIGNUP |
| NEWS CLIPS | LOGIN | PRESS RELEASES | LOGOUT |
| SEARCH | FULL SITE |
August 16, 2017
Texas Association of Business: Statement of TAB CEO Jeff Moseley on the Conclusion of the Special Session
The Texas Association of Business has a long and successful track record of advancing and defending business interests at the Texas Legislature. More than 700 business and economic development organizations as well as law enforcement, education, faith and community leaders joined our Keep Texas Open for Business Coalition to defeat the unnecessary bathroom bill.
From Texas Association of Business
August 16, 2017
Texas Values Action: Special Session Wrap: Life Wins, Privacy Dies
Texas Values Action congratulates the Lt. Gov. and Texas Senate on leading the effort on to final passage of several key pro-life reforms, yet strong disappointment in privacy protection in showers, bathrooms and locker rooms being blocked and ultimately stopped by Speaker Joe Straus and Rep. Byron Cook.
From Texas Values Action
August 16, 2017
Senator Carlos Uresti: Statement on the conclusion of the special session
“There was nothing special about this special session. The special session provided a few opportunities to tackle some major problems in our state. I’ve worked hard to make gains on bringing relief to retired teachers’ health care, decreasing maternal mortality, and keeping important state agencies open.
From Senator Carlos Uresti
August 16, 2017
Representative Eddie Rodriguez: Texas House Adjourns Sine Die Following Embarrassing Special Session
Tonight, the Texas House of Representatives adjourned sine die following a lengthy and contentious debate on school finance reform. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez issued the following statement regarding the special session: “Like his tenure in office, Governor Greg Abbott’s first special session was bad for Texas.
From Representative Eddie Rodriguez
August 16, 2017
Representative Paul Workman: Statement on the Signing of SB 6
State Representative Paul Workman released the following statement following the Governor's signing of SB 6: "As one of the House authors of Senate Bill 6, the municipal annexation reform bill, I applaud the Governor's signing of this important legislation to protect private property rights.
From Representative Paul Workman
August 16, 2017
Representative Paul Workman: Statement on HB 7
State Representative Paul Workman released the following statement regarding HB 7: "I applaud the House’s decision to accept the Senate’s amendments to HB 7 to strengthen private property owners’ rights with regards to the trees on their own property. As the author of HB 70 and an author of HB 7, I am glad to see the legislature taking steps to bolster property owners’ rights.
From Representative Paul Workman
August 16, 2017
Mexican American Legislative Caucus: Texas Federal Court Unanimously Finds Intentional Discrimination Persists in Texas Congressional Maps
This afternoon, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas released a unanimous decision that found intentional discrimination persists in the congressional maps drawn by the Texas Legislature in 2013.
From Mexican American Legislative Caucus
August 16, 2017
Office of the Attorney General: Paxton Reacts to Court's Redistricting Ruling
Although today’s decision upheld the vast majority of the State’s congressional district map, Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed his disappointment with a portion of today’s federal court decision on maps that the district court itself adopted in 2012 and have been in effect for the last three election cycles.
From Office of the Attorney General
August 16, 2017
Texas Environment: Victory for Texas Trees: TCE Statement on HB 7 Passage
Robin Schneider, Executive Director of Texas Campaign for the Environment issued the following statement after the Texas House concurred with Senate changes to HB 7: “This is a victory for Texas trees. This bill has some flaws, but it is more or less what all sides agreed to in the regular session, and it leaves every tree protection ordinance in the state intact.
From Texas Environment
August 16, 2017
Fast Growth School Coalition: Texas Legislature Fails to Fairly Fund Fast Growth Schools
The following statement on House Bill 21, the school finance bill, should be attributed to Dr. Guy Sconzo, Executive Director, Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC): “While we appreciate the Senate’s willingness to assist rapidly growing school districts, the fact remains that the $60 million for Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) in House Bill 21 benefits very few school districts that are considered fast growth.
From Fast Growth School Coalition
August 15, 2017
Office of the Attorney General: Paxton Thanks 42 Congressional Members, 15 States, Bioethics Expert, and Eagle Forum for Filing Amicus Briefs in Support of Texas' Fight to Defund Planned Parenthood
Attorney General Ken Paxton today expressed his gratitude to 42 congressional members, 15 states, the non-profit Eagle Forum and a leading expert on bioethics who filed amicus briefs with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Texas’ right to cut off state Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.
From Office of the Attorney General
August 15, 2017
Texas Aspires: TEA Releases Campus And District Accountability Ratings
Following the Texas Education Agency’s release of campus and district ratings today, Texas Aspires’ Executive Director Courtney Boswell released the following statement: “It’s hard for the public to understand what’s going on when STAAR results drop and ratings improve. That's why the next iteration of ratings will be critically important.
From Texas Aspires
August 15, 2017
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC: Endorses Aliseda for Chief Justice of 13th Court of Appeals
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC (TLRPAC) today endorsed Judge Ernest “Ernie” Aliseda of McAllen in his campaign for chief justice of the 13th Court of Appeals. “Each election cycle, TLRPAC supports judicial candidates who understand the importance of a fair, efficient and honest legal system to Texas families and businesses,” TLRPAC Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi Jr. said.
From Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
August 15, 2017
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC: Endorses Tijerina for 13th Court of Appeals
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC (TLRPAC) today endorsed Judge Jaime E. Tijerina of Mission in his campaign for the 13th Court of Appeals. “Each election cycle, TLRPAC supports judicial candidates who understand the importance of a fair, efficient and honest legal system to Texas families and businesses,” TLRPAC Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi Jr. said.
From Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
August 15, 2017
Representative Tom Oliverson: Asks School Finance Commission to Fund Schools without Property Taxes
On Thursday, August 14th, State Representative Tom Oliverson, MD (R-Cypress) and Representative Jay Dean (R-Longview) added an amendment to SB 16, requiring the school finance commission to study ways to fund school maintenance and operations without using property taxes.
From Representative Tom Oliverson
August 15, 2017
Texas AFT: School district ratings reveal continuing trend of charters underperforming traditional public schools
We’re pleased to see a decline in the number of districts rated as “Improvement Required,” but it’s also clear that charter schools continue to underperform traditional public schools, since charter districts are more than three times as likely to fail state achievement standards.
From Texas AFT
August 15, 2017
Senator Ted Cruz: I'm Glad DOJ is Treating Charlottesville Attack With the Seriousness It Deserves
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined 660 AM The Answer’s Mark Davis to discuss his call on the Department of Justice to investigate the act of domestic terrorism in Charlottesville over the weekend.
From Senator Ted Cruz
August 15, 2017
Senator Ted Cruz: Sen. Cruz and Rep. Pete Olson Lead Amicus Brief Supporting Texas' Decision to Defund Planned Parenthood
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) today commented on an amicus brief they spearheaded in the case of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Family Planning and Preventative Health Services, Inc. v. Smith, filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, defending Texas’ decision to defund Planned Parenthood by removing the organization from its list of qualified Medicaid providers.
From Senator Ted Cruz
August 15, 2017
Representative Eddie Rodriguez: Fifth Anniversary of DACA Deportation Relief Program
Today is the fifth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) deportation relief program. Texas State Representative Eddie Rodriguez represents the 62.7% Hispanic HD-51 in Southeast Austin and serves as policy chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the nation.
From Representative Eddie Rodriguez
August 15, 2017
Texas Education Agency: More than 400 campuses earn all possible distinctions in 2017 accountability ratings
The Texas Education Agency today announced that more than 400 campuses that achieved a Met Standard rating in the 2017 state accountability ratings also earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school.
From Texas Education Agency
August 15, 2017
Office of the Lieutenant Governor: Patrick Statement on HB21 Boost for Teacher Retirement Health Care and School Finance
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement on the final passage of House Bill 21 early this morning. "Before the Special Session last month, I made a commitment to retired teachers to boost TRS-Care and HB 21 will do that. It reduces premiums for retirees who are not Medicaid eligible and deductibles for retirees over the age of 65.
From Office of the Lieutenant Governor
August 15, 2017
Senator Jose Rodriguez: Senate fails to adequately fund education
Senator José Rodríguez released the following statement following the Texas Senate's 25-6 vote on House Bill 21, a bill that when it came over from the House would have put $1.8 billion more into our public schools, including more than $100 million for English Language Learner (bilingual) education:
From Senator Jose Rodriguez
August 14, 2017
Representative Helen Giddings: Leads Texas House in Condemnation of White Supremacist Attacks
Rep. Helen Giddings was joined by every member of the House of Representatives to condemn the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia and the planned white supremacist rally at Texas A&M. Her full remarks are linked below.
From Representative Helen Giddings
August 14, 2017
Texas Values: Survey: Nearly 80% of Texas GOP Voters Support Privacy Act
Today, Texas Values Action released survey results that continue to demonstrate an overwhelming number of Republican voters support legislative efforts to protect privacy. In addition, a majority of Republican House members are now co-authors for HB 46, the House version of the Texas Privacy Act.
From Texas Values
August 14, 2017
Texas Senate Republican Caucus: Texas Senate To Send Additional Special Session Priorities to Governor Abbott's Desk
The Texas Senate has continued their special session work and passed important pro-life legislation, HB 214, sponsored by Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and HB 215, sponsored by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), as well as legislation by Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), SB 6, to protect Texans from forced annexation without a vote. Legislation to protect against forced annexation was previously filibustered and did not pass during the regular session.
From Texas Senate Republican Caucus
August 14, 2017
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: Kicks Off Tour of Texas Manufacturing Plants with Visits to Central Texas Cities
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar kicked off a tour of Texas manufacturing plants today with visits to Samsung in Austin and TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company in Round Rock. During his Good for Texas Tour: Manufacturing Edition, Hegar will tour facilities, meet with local officials and release the results of a study the Comptroller’s office recently completed examining the economic impact of the manufacturing industry.
From Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
August 14, 2017
Texas Freedom Network: More Than 50,000 Texans Took Action to Oppose Discriminatory Legislation
Today, a group of LGBTQ and civil rights groups -- including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Equality Texas, the ACLU of Texas, the Texas Freedom Network and the Transgender Education Network of Texas – delivered a list of signatures from more than 50,000 Texans who have taken action this year to oppose discriminatory anti-transgender legislation such as SB6, HB2899, SB3 and HB46 and other anti-LGBTQ bills considered by Texas lawmakers.
From Texas Freedom Network
August 14, 2017
Texas Central: Announces Agreement with Fluor, Lane Construction as bullet train moves forward
Texas Central, developer of the investor-owned high-speed train project, announced today an agreement with Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of Fluor Corporation and The Lane Construction Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Salini Impregilo, as the project moves into its next phase.
From Texas Central
August 14, 2017
Senator Konni Burton: Releases Statement On Fort Worth City Council Proposal To Join Lawsuit Against SB 4
Today, Sen. Konni Burton (R) issued the following statement on the proposal before the Fort Worth City Council to join the lawsuit against Senate Bill 4 (SB 4): "As a coauthor of SB 4, I am proud of the recent work of the Texas Legislature to prohibit so-called local "sanctuary" policies, which undermine the enforcement of our federal immigration laws and unnecessarily risk the safety of our local communities.
From Senator Konni Burton
August 14, 2017
Senator Judith Zaffirini: Casts 60,000th Consecutive Vote
Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, today (Sunday) extended her unique, career-long 100-percent voting record by casting her 60,000th consecutive vote in the Texas Senate—a record that is unparalleled in Texas and nationally.
From Senator Judith Zaffirini
August 14, 2017
Senator Charles Schwertner: Regarding White Nationalist Rally to be Held at Texas A&M University
The following statement was released from Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) in response to the announced white nationalist rally to be held by outside groups on the campus of Texas A&M University next month: "It has come to my attention that the same white nationalist groups responsible for the recent tragedy in Charlottesville are planning to host a similar hate rally on the campus of Texas A&M University next month
From Senator Charles Schwertner
August 14, 2017
Senator Carlos Uresti: Statement on the passage of Senate Bill 6 providing annexation reform
“I am supportive of the compromise annexation reform passed by the legislature containing suitable protections for our military bases. Protecting the three major military installations in Senate District 19, while providing a mechanism to allow residents a vote on annexation has been my objective, and I am pleased to see the final product reflects both priorities.
From Senator Carlos Uresti
August 14, 2017
Senator Donna Campbell: Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act Passes Senate, Headed to Governor Abbott's Desk
It was the bill that wouldn't quit. Filibustered during the regular session and sent back to committee on a point of order just last week, Sen. Campbell's annexation reform bill became just the sixth bill to pass both chambers during the special session and is now on its way to Governor Abbott's desk to be signed into law.
From Senator Donna Campbell
August 14, 2017
Texas Environment: Tree Advocates Applaud Speaker Joe Straus on Sending HB 7 Back to Senate
On Saturday evening Speaker of the House Joe Straus sent HB 7 back to the State Senate. He said that the tree clear-cutting amendments made by the Senate were not germane.
From Texas Environment
August 14, 2017
Representative Helen Giddings: Offers Support to the People of Charlottesville, Virginia
Rep. Helen Giddings released the following statement on the violent white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia: "My heart goes out to the people of Charlottesville, Virginia, whose peaceful weekend was interrupted by a barbaric white supremacist attack.
From Representative Helen Giddings
August 14, 2017
Representative Eddie Rodriguez: Lessons To Be Learned From Charlottesville Tragedy
Today, a group standing up to white nationalists and Nazi sympathizers in Charlottesville, Virginia became the victims of deadly violence. Dozens suffered serious injuries and one individual perished after a car plowed through a street full of people in an act law enforcement officials are considering a criminal homicide.
From Representative Eddie Rodriguez
August 14, 2017
Senator Ted Cruz: Urges Department of Justice to Investigate Acts of Domestic Terrorism in Charlottesville
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the acts of domestic terrorism that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday and Saturday.
From Senator Ted Cruz