, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.After the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Saturday it’s investigating an allegation that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on at least one Capitol staffer, a prominent Austin-based lobby shop said Sunday it had launched an internal investigation into the matter, telling state lawmakers in an email that the firm and its employees “do not and will not tolerate a culture where anyone is not valued with respect and dignity."The DPS investigation, , stems from a complaint recently made by a Capitol...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.After the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Saturday it’s investigating an allegation that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on at least one Capitol staffer, a prominent Austin-based lobby shop said Sunday it had launched an internal investigation into the matter, telling state lawmakers in an email that the firm and its employees “do not and will not tolerate a culture where anyone is not valued with respect and dignity."The DPS investigation, , stems from a complaint recently made by a Capitol...WW…

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The Texas House has approved a bill that would allow handguns to be carried without a permit, marking a win for gun rights activists who have for years pushed the measure at the Legislature but a blow to El Paso Democrats who have been fighting for gun safety measures since the 2019 massacre in their hometown.Initial approval came Thursday in a 84-56 vote after several hours of some of the most emotionally charged debate yet this legislative session, with Democrats pleading to their colleagues to...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The Texas House has approved a bill that would allow handguns to be carried without a permit, marking a win for gun rights activists who have for years pushed the measure at the Legislature but a blow to El Paso Democrats who have been fighting for gun safety measures since the 2019 massacre in their hometown.Initial approval came Thursday in a 84-56 vote after several hours of some of the most emotionally charged debate yet this legislative session, with Democrats pleading to their colleagues to...WW…

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Lt. Gov. on Thursday pleaded for Gov. to take executive action on reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s deadly winter storm after the Texas House adjourned for the week without taking up the issue.“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.”After the Senate moved at a breakneck pace Monday to pass Senate Bill 2142,...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Lt. Gov. on Thursday pleaded for Gov. to take executive action on reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s deadly winter storm after the Texas House adjourned for the week without taking up the issue.“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.”After the Senate moved at a breakneck pace Monday to pass Senate Bill 2142,...WW…

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Public Utility Commission Chair Arthur D'Andrea, the only remaining member of the three-seat board that regulates Texas utilities, is resigning from his post, Gov. said Tuesday night.Abbott said in a statement that he asked for and accepted D'Andrea's resignation and plans to name "a replacement in the coming days who will have the responsibility of charting a new and fresh course for the agency." D'Andrea's resignation will be effective immediately upon the appointment of a successor, according to a copy...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Public Utility Commission Chair Arthur D'Andrea, the only remaining member of the three-seat board that regulates Texas utilities, is resigning from his post, Gov. said Tuesday night.Abbott said in a statement that he asked for and accepted D'Andrea's resignation and plans to name "a replacement in the coming days who will have the responsibility of charting a new and fresh course for the agency." D'Andrea's resignation will be effective immediately upon the appointment of a successor, according to a copy...WW…

Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates.Now that Gov. t's statewide , people visiting the Texas Capitol will no longer be required to wear face masks. But at least for now, more restrictive rules adopted by the House and Senate will remain in place — and leaders in the two chambers haven’t yet indicated publicly any plans to change those protocols.In the Senate, lawmakers and staff must test negative for the coronavirus before entering the chamber or attending committee hearings. And masks are also required...…Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates.Now that Gov. t's statewide , people visiting the Texas Capitol will no longer be required to wear face masks. But at least for now, more restrictive rules adopted by the House and Senate will remain in place — and leaders in the two chambers haven’t yet indicated publicly any plans to change those protocols.In the Senate, lawmakers and staff must test negative for the coronavirus before entering the chamber or attending committee hearings. And masks are also required...WW…

 , our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.As millions of Texans continue struggling through a dayslong winter storm without power or , Gov. provided few details Wednesday on when they can expect their situations to improve.In Abbott’s first press conference since winter weather battered the state’s power infrastructure, the governor and other state officials largely deferred residents to state and local non-emergency numbers. Some 2.7 million households were still without power Wednesday morning.Abbott said he had ordered natural gas...… , our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.As millions of Texans continue struggling through a dayslong winter storm without power or , Gov. provided few details Wednesday on when they can expect their situations to improve.In Abbott’s first press conference since winter weather battered the state’s power infrastructure, the governor and other state officials largely deferred residents to state and local non-emergency numbers. Some 2.7 million households were still without power Wednesday morning.Abbott said he had ordered natural gas...WW…

Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates.A group of 38 Texas House Democrats is criticizing Gov. and the head of the Texas Department of State Health Services over the state’s vaccination distribution rollout, calling it “a source of growing confusion and frustration.”The lawmakers from across the state, , requested that leaders make a number of changes to the process, such as ensuring that communities of color have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine and prioritizing those who have jobs that require them...…Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates.A group of 38 Texas House Democrats is criticizing Gov. and the head of the Texas Department of State Health Services over the state’s vaccination distribution rollout, calling it “a source of growing confusion and frustration.”The lawmakers from across the state, , requested that leaders make a number of changes to the process, such as ensuring that communities of color have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine and prioritizing those who have jobs that require them...WW…

Learn more about how to navigate Texas’ unemployment system in for jobless Texans.The unemployment rate in Texas rose to 8.1% in November, . That’s an increase from as Texas, whose businesses have been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, experienced another surge in infections. But the news also comes as the state begins distributing coronavirus vaccines.The state's unemployment rate for November is the latest indicator that economic recovery in Texas will be slow and staggered. And it’s a crucial data point for the Legislature, which will convene in January to tackle , a response to the...…Learn more about how to navigate Texas’ unemployment system in for jobless Texans.The unemployment rate in Texas rose to 8.1% in November, . That’s an increase from as Texas, whose businesses have been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, experienced another surge in infections. But the news also comes as the state begins distributing coronavirus vaccines.The state's unemployment rate for November is the latest indicator that economic recovery in Texas will be slow and staggered. And it’s a crucial data point for the Legislature, which will convene in January to tackle , a response to the...WW…

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The 87th Texas Legislature won’t gavel in until January, but state lawmakers on Monday got their first chance to file legislation for what’s expected to be a particularly tough 140-day stretch at the Capitol next year., the first day to pre-file legislation, more than 530 bills had already been filed in the House and Senate. Thousands of bills are expected to be filed throughout the legislative session, though only a fraction of them will make it through both chambers and end up on Gov. ’s desk.State...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The 87th Texas Legislature won’t gavel in until January, but state lawmakers on Monday got their first chance to file legislation for what’s expected to be a particularly tough 140-day stretch at the Capitol next year., the first day to pre-file legislation, more than 530 bills had already been filed in the House and Senate. Thousands of bills are expected to be filed throughout the legislative session, though only a fraction of them will make it through both chambers and end up on Gov. ’s desk.State...WW…

Texas TribuneCassandra Pollock And Patrick SvitekPublished: July 17, 2020, 5:06 pmUpdated: July 17, 2020, 5:46 pmTags: Sign up for our NewslettersTexas TribuneCassandra Pollock And Patrick SvitekPublished: July 17, 2020, 5:06 pmUpdated: July 17, 2020, 5:46 pmTags: A Houston federal judge ruled Friday that the Republican Party of Texas may proceed with its in-person convention, according to lawyers involved in the litigation, a striking last-minute development as party officials have .Jared Woodfill, an attorney for Houston activist Steve Hotze, who helped file...…Texas TribuneCassandra Pollock And Patrick SvitekPublished: July 17, 2020, 5:06 pmUpdated: July 17, 2020, 5:46 pmTags: Sign up for our NewslettersTexas TribuneCassandra Pollock And Patrick SvitekPublished: July 17, 2020, 5:06 pmUpdated: July 17, 2020, 5:46 pmTags: A Houston federal judge ruled Friday that the Republican Party of Texas may proceed with its in-person convention, according to lawyers involved in the litigation, a striking last-minute development as party officials have .Jared Woodfill, an attorney for Houston activist Steve Hotze, who helped file...WW…