The legislative session has completed its fourth week.  15 weeks to go.  Here’s what’s happening:   Winter Weather Affects Session As of this morning, more than 300,000 customers statewide were still without power, roughly half of those are in the Austin area.  Three...

The legislative session is underway, and it has been an eventful week so far.  Here’s what’s happening: Senate Committee Appointments Released On Monday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced Senate committee assignments for the session.  The Senate has 15 standing...

  The legislative session is underway, and it has been an eventful week so far.  Here’s what’s happening: Inauguration On Tuesday, Gov. Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick were sworn in for their third terms in office.  The ceremony took place on the north side of...

The legislative session is underway, and it has been an eventful week so far.  Here’s what’s happening: House Reelects Phelan as Speaker The legislature gaveled in at noon on Tuesday.  The day was a typical opening day, with the Capitol full of family and constituents...

Happy New Year to everyone.  The start of the regular session is less than a week away and the activity around the Capitol is starting to heat up.  Here’s what’s happening: Tax Incentive Coalition Dead A set of tax incentives – deemed Chapter 313 incentives – was...

I trust everyone had a safe and restful Christmas.  The week between Christmas and New Year is generally slow, but there are some items making the news, especially with the cold weather we have been having here and throughout the country.  And as usual, the border and...

With the fundraising season over, things have slowed down as we are nearing the year’s end, but the border once again gets the lion’s share of the news and attention this week.  Here’s what’s happening: Grid Ready for the Cold Blast A very aggressive cold front is...

With the fundraising season over, things have slowed down as we are nearing the year’s end, but the border once again gets the lion’s share of the news and attention this week.  Here’s what’s happening: Border News The US Border Patrol announced this week that the El...

We are moving closer to session, and the pace was fast and furious this week with fundraisers and even a couple of committee hearings.  Members are posturing for the session, and here is what is happening: Patrick Announces Legislative Priorities In presiding over the...

I trust everyone had a safe and restful Thanksgiving weekend.  Lots of activity during the break, below are some of the highlights. Election Results Official The November 2022 election results have been canvassed and are now official.  8.1 million people cast a vote,...

  COVID Cases and Hospitalizations New infections are up slightly with 1,324  cases reported by the state yesterday.   The number of infections has remained fairly steady for the last several months.  The state is reporting 993 people hospitalized with COVID illness. ...

The biggest headline from last night’s election results is that the state of Texas is still a very long way from turning blue.  At the beginning of every two-year election cycle, the Democrats claim – because of demographic changes and the influx of new residents from...