DAN PATRICK

Senate Bill 8 supporters say the legislation protects the rights of parents who don’t want their kids to learn about gender identity and sexual orientation. Critics say it could force schools to ignore the existence of LGBTQ people.

Texas senators on Wednesday unanimously approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s agenda on property tax cuts this legislative session, which would pump billions of state dollars into public schools and give bigger tax breaks for homeowners and business owners.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Democrats joined Republicans to pass the proposals that target the taxes homeowners pay and require school districts to lower tax rates.

Texas senators unanimously approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s agenda on property tax cuts this legislative session.

The proposals target the taxes homeowners pay and require school districts to lower their tax rates.

The Texas Pediatric Society, the Texas Psychological Association and other medical organizations testified against the bill last week.

Senate Bill 14 would ban doctors from providing kids with transition-related treatments that medical groups recommend for children with gender dysphoria.

Law 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.

Cuts to school property tax bills. Bigger tax benefits for homeowners. A controversial idea to limit property tax growth. Here’s what you need to know about the brewing property tax debate at the Texas Legislature.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has filed legislation that would establish The Civitas School of Civic and International Leadership as a formal college at the University of Texas at Austin.

The priority bill reverses a change the Legislature made two years ago during an omnibus voting bill that made illegal voting a misdemeanor.

The lieutenant governor has consolidated power in the Legislature and exercises near-total control of his chamber. Will anyone challenge him?

A sweeping education bill introduced in the Texas Senate late Friday would allow families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools, establish new opportunities for parents to review instruction material and impose new rules on how gender and sexual orientation is taught in all grades.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos

The priority bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, reverses a change the Legislature made two years ago during an omnibus voting bill that made illegal voting a misdemeanor.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick joined "America's Newsroom" to discuss how his state plans to hold illegal immigrants accountable for breaking the law.

The bill, which has the blessing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will create new rules on how gender and sexual orientation is taught.

The bills are part of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s list of priorities and, if passed as filed, could have profound impacts on how Texas universities recruit top faculty and other employees.

House Bill 20 by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would test the boundaries of the state’s ability to enforce immigration law, which courts have historically ruled falls under federal purview.

House Bill 20 by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would test the boundaries of the state’s ability to enforce immigration law, which courts have historically ruled falls under federal purview

The bill, which has the blessing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will create new rules on how gender and sexual orientation is taught. It will face a tougher test in the House.

The bills are part of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s list of priorities and, if passed as filed, could have profound impacts on how Texas universities recruit top faculty and other employees.

Under Senate Bill 23, all felonies involving a gun would incur a mandatory 10-year prison sentence. It’s meant to curb crime, despite the lack of correlation between harsher sentences and crime rates.

The proposal, which would make low-level marijuana possession a ticketable offense, hasn't yet been scheduled for a full House vote.

Texas lawmakers this year will debate whether to block transgender kids’ access to health care, classify businesses that host drag shows and more.

Texas lawmakers this year will debate 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.

Hays County remains gripped by excessive drought, but lawmakers have offered little in the way of proposals to quench the mounting problem. To the west, the Trinity Aquifer and the private wells it feeds are going dry. To the east, the San Marcos river flows at its lowest recorded level since 1997.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record

The Texas Senate on Friday unveiled its priority school safety bill that would create a safety and security department housed in the Texas Education Agency. And the legislation would give the education commissioner more direct power to compel school districts to establish safety protocols for active-shooter situations.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News,

The bill, introduced months after the Uvalde school shooting, also allocates more funds to the state’s school safety allotment, which is money given to districts to improve campus security.

During dueling speeches to a conservative think tank in Austin, state House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who have a history of animus, split over property tax relief, criminal justice reform and school choice.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s proposal reveals the different roads the Texas House and Senate want to take on property taxes — and the fight that might emerge between the two chambers this session.

In 2021, the Texas Senate declined to consider a bill extending the program, which discounted local property taxes to lure big companies to the state. It had become plagued with bipartisan accusations of “corporate welfare.”

Seventy-seven Texas House Republicans signed on as co-authors to state Rep. Valoree Swanson’s bill extending restrictions on transgender athletes to college sports. Gov. Greg Abbott has expressed support for the legislation, which is also a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Texas lawmakers are among the lowest paid in the nation, but one state lawmaker is trying to change that by tying future legislators’ salaries to the median salary of a public school teacher.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Abbott told business leaders in Arlington on Wednesday that Texas is already suffering from the end of the tax-break program, recently losing a “massive” computer chip factory to New York.

Texas is the latest state to pitch a version of the program, which lets parents who opt out of their local school districts use tax dollars to pay for private schooling.

In an interview with the Tribune, the governor also backed criminalizing some health care treatments for transgender kids and shrugged off the idea that he’s in a conservative policy rivalry with Ron DeSantis.

Abbott lays out seven top priorities Gov. Greg Abbott, in a State of the State address last Thursday, outlined his seven top priorities for the ongoing legislative session before an invitation-only audience at a manufacturing facility in San Marcos, the Austin American- Statesman reported. Those priorities include $4 billion for border security, property tax relief and more

The lieutenant governor reserved Senate Bills 1-30 for his priorities, which he said he expects will be supported by the conservative majority of Texans.

The lieutenant governor's list of 30 wide-ranging bills includes school book bans and restrictions to rights for transgender people.

Speaking in December, Patrick was less out front about conservative priorities like school book bans and restrictions to rights for transgender people. His priority bill list made clear those are a major part of his focus.

What seems like an outbreak of local skirmishes is part of a decades-long push to privatize the education system.

Millions of Texans — mostly children, young adults and new moms — stayed on Medicaid for the duration of the pandemic. The state will soon start reevaluating eligibility.

The Texas Sports Betting Alliance threw its weight behind new legislation Monday to let voters decided whether to legalize online sports betting.

A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office said only a court order could force a redo of elections.

Lawmakers are looking at ways to keep teachers in the profession, make schools safer, give parents money for private schooling and censor conversations about sex and gender.

Part of the fight over property tax reform is over whether to use less funds on tax cuts and more on public schools and other needs

Part of the fight will deal with whether to use less funds on property tax cuts and more on public schools, infrastructure and other needs.

Rural school leaders in Texas have been able to stave off the legislative priority of some of the state’s most prominent Republicans. But private school officials hope this year will be different.

Republicans are wrestling over how much of the state’s nearly $33 billion budget surplus to spend on property taxes. Democrats have their own ideas about what to do with the cash.

Laura Herrera’s salary has barely gone up in her 20 years of teaching — about $700 in all.The San Antonio-area teacher takes home about $3,700 a month.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump.

The Texas State House and Senate are working on proposals that could save homeowners hundreds of dollars in property taxes.

The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump — but it won’t happen without some negotiation.

Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, advocates may be competing against each other.

Gambling legalization advocates in Texas are going all in again this legislative session, confident that they have built more support since their efforts came up far short in 2021.The push is still an[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, sports betting and casino advocates may be competing against each other, rather than working in tandem.

Patrick has made no qualms in the past about bending arms or using public pressure to get other state officials — including Gov. Greg Abbott — to go along with his plans.

Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, sports betting and casino advocates may be competing against each other.

Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, sports betting and casino advocates may be competing against each other, rather than working in tandem.

Less than two years after Texas Democrats staged a dramatic showdown to forestall sweeping changes to voting laws, the Legislature is poised to once again revisit how Texas runs elections.Entering the[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Democrats will be seeking to expand voting access and Republicans are pledging to make elections more secure.

State policymakers have mapped out familiar territory early in the legislative session, with Democrats seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledging to make elections more secure.

Patrick made the comments at a daylong conference in Austin hosted by The Texan, a political news site started by former GOP state Sen. Konni Burton.

The Texas Legislature, which commenced its biannual session earlier this month, announced that it would continue a measure from the COVID-19 pandemic that protected members of the legislature. The measure was originally enacted in 2021 and barred reporters from attending sessions on the legislature’s floor, according to the Texas Tribune. Originally reported in a tweet

For the Texas House and Senate, there is not much daylight between each chamber’s priorities in this year’s legislative session.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Monday announced Senate committee assignments, keeping his key lieutenants in leadership positions.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The Texas Senate committee assignments for the 88th Legislative Session have been announced.

Conservative activists have pushed for legislative leaders to ban Democrats from leading committees.

Readers sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions.

Texans came from all corners of the state to watch Abbott’s inauguration Tuesday. Even those who don’t completely agree with the Republican leader reveled in the ceremonies.

Greg Abbott is on track to becoming Texas’ second-longest-serving governor, behind Rick Perry, who served more than 14 years.

Abbott is on track to becoming Texas’ second-longest-serving governor, behind Rick Perry, who served more than 14 years. Abbott enters his third term after a decisive reelection win in November.

Greg Abbott was sworn into office on Tuesday morning for his third four-year term as governor.

Abbott is on track to becoming Texas’ second-longest-serving governor, behind Rick Perry, who served more than 14 years. Abbott enters his third term after a decisive reelection win in November.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, told The Dallas Morning News and other media outlets that he is open to bringing resort-style casinos to Texas.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Community colleges want a funding overhaul this legislative session, and four-year universities are hoping for a boost in research funds. Meanwhile, faculty are bracing for a potential threat to tenure and limits to conversations about race.

About two months into his comeback bid, few prominent Texas Republicans have endorsed Trump — and some are showing more willingness to cross him publicly.

State leaders used to invite coverage of their activity. Now the Legislature is making reporting more difficult than ever.

About two months into his comeback bid, few prominent Texas Republicans have endorsed Trump — and some are showing more willingness to cross him publicly.

As Texas lawmakers consider what to do with an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus, leaders of the state’s six largest public university systems are pitching that nearly $1 billion be allocated [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The leaders of the six biggest university systems want the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance.

The leaders of the state’s six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.

The leaders of the state’s six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.

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.

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.

Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome.

Republicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows.

Republicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows.

In several red states around the country, conservative officials say it's time to reconsider tenure for university professors.

When Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked Texas colleges to disavow critical race theory, the University of Texas faculty approved a resolution defending their freedom to decide for themselves how to teach about race. “Maybe we need to look at tenure,” Patrick said at a news conference in November. The indefinite academic appointments that come with tenure — the holy grail of university employment — have faced review from lawmakers or state oversight boards in at least half a dozen states, often presented as bids to rein in academics with liberal views.

The Texas Legislature starts slow and ends fast, and there's no escaping the consequences of its actions.

The move to take news reporters off the Senate floor was implemented in 2021 as a COVID-19 precaution, but an official said Friday the measure would continue in the upcoming session.

There are 64 Democrats in the 150-member House, one fewer than before the election. There is also one fewer Democrat in the Senate.

It was another historic, news-filled year. As you get ready for 2023, check out these memorable articles the Tribune published in 2022.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Thursday, ordered Texas to ban the us of TikTok on government issued devices to stop the 'Chinese Communist Party.'

In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.

The dueling approaches are coming into focus as lawmakers prepare to return to Austin for the session which begins Jan. 10.

The dueling approaches are coming into focus as lawmakers prepare to return to Austin for the session which begins Jan. 10.

On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Karen about property taxes and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities.

Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax.