TXLege - Page 4

‘Community Schools’ Bill Hopes to Derail Texas Charters

One Texas lawmaker’s bill, if passed during the 2017 legislative session, stands to derail school choice options for failing campuses by taking them down a progressive community schools path and bypassing existing options that include re-purposing a campus as a public charter school.

Nine Indiana Schools Close After Bomb Threats

Texas Bill Will Remove ‘Faithless Elector’ and Void Their Vote

A bill pre-filed in the Texas Legislature on December 28 would put teeth into circumventing a “faithless elector.” Any attempt by an elector to cast a vote for anyone other than the candidates that received the popular vote in the Lone Star State would be void. Moreover, casting the void vote would immediately create a vacancy in the elector’s position.

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Texas House Speaker: No Sanctuary Cities in Texas

The Speaker of the Texas House is joining with Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in calling for an end to Sanctuary Cities in the Lone Star State.

“Speaker Straus will work with fellow House Members, Governor Abbott and law enforcement to ensure that there are no sanctuary cities in Texas,” said Jason Embry, communications director for Speaker Straus, in an email to Breitbart Texas.

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Texas County Jails: 140 Suicides in Five Years

One hundred forty people have committed suicide in Texas county jails over the past five years. This disturbing trend was revealed in the wake of the hanging suicide of Sandra Bland in the Waller County jail two weeks ago.

Sandra Bland Memorial - AP Photo - Pat Sullivan

Chris Kyle Awarded Texas Legislative Medal of Honor

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Concurrent Resolution 85 authorizing the posthumous award of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to “American Sniper” hero, U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle. The murdered former Navy Seal was a Texas native who served four tours of duty in Iraq and has been recognized as the “most lethal” sniper in U.S. military history.

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Woman Claiming to be Texas State Senator’s Wife Arrested for Harassment

A woman allegedly claiming to be the wife of Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) was arrested and charged with harassment. The Austin woman has been sending letters and packages to the Senator of a harassing and sexually explicit nature and failed to stop after receiving a cease and desist letter. The woman was charged with a Class B misdemeanor and could spend up to 180 days in jail and a possible fine of up to $2,000.

Senator and Mrs Carlos Uresti

After Son Murdered by Alien, Man Says ‘Federal Government not Very Invested in Securing Border’

Dan Golvach, told a Texas Senate Border Security subcommittee last week that what he has learned from his son’s murder by an illegal alien is it is “glaringly evident, that the federal government does not seem to be very invested in securing the border.” His testimony came during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week which was observed April 19th – 25th. Other witnesses urged Texas legislators to pass an interstate compact bill because the federal government has failed to do their job “to protect our families.” They testified about the “catastrophic loss” they have faced because of a porous border.

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Texas Senate Passes Education Tax Credit Scholarship Bill

The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), the tax credit scholarship bill that will allow low income and special needs families who are in failing public schools to get assistance to pay for private tuition. SB 4 was authored by State Senator Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and passed with bipartisan support. The final vote of 18-12 was taken on Tuesday, April 21.

Sen Larry Taylor

Texas House Passes Initial Vote on Open Carry Bill

The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill on to second reading that would allow people with Concealed Handgun Licenses to openly carry handguns. The bill (HB 910) came to a vote after several hours of contentious debate over amendments and parliamentary procedural issues. The bill was approved by a vote of 96-35.

Woman Open Carrying in Resturaunt - Reuters-Bill Waugh

Abbott’s Emergency Item: Border Security Moving Slowly in Texas Senate

The Texas Senate appears to be moving slowly on a pair of border security bills, one of which has already passed the House. Border security legislation was set as an “Emergency Item” by Texas Governor Greg Abbott during his State of the State Address where he laid out his legislative agenda for the 84th session of the Texas Legislature. Approximately thirty days later, the Texas House passed HB 11 relating to border security and forwarded that bill to the Senate.

Texas River Boat - Mission Texas

Pre-K Bill Most Like Abbott’s ‘Vision’ Taking Lead in Texas House

It was standing room only in a marathon meeting on the Texas House floor. Six proposed early childhood education bills were presented and debated before the House Committee on Public Education on Tuesday, March 10. The biggest issue of the day was half-day versus full-day of pre-Kindergarten (pre-K), although a frontrunner emerged in House Bill 4 (HB 4) authored by Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston).

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