Tag Archives: Senate

Hill Country flood roundup

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Just some articles of interest, no real thread. Climate Change Helped Fuel Heavy Rains That Led to Devastating Texas Flood Climate scientists said the torrential downpours on July 4 exemplify the devastating outcomes of weather intensified by a warming atmosphere. … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Camp Mystic, climate change, CodeRED, Dan Patrick, DOGE, DPS, FEMA, Flood Information & Response System, flooding, Greg Abbott, Guadalupe River, HEB, Homeland Security, James Avery, John Nielsen-Gammon, Kerr County, Kerrville, Kristi Noem, National Emergency Management Association, National Weather Service, NOAA, San Angelo, San Antonio, Senate, special session, Ted Cruz, Texas, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Water Development Board, The Lege, Tropical Storm Barry, Upper Guadalupe River Authority | 1 Comment

Paxtons getting divorced

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Whoa. State Sen. Angela Paxton announced Thursday she has filed for divorce from her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, said in a post … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged Angela Paxton, Attorney General, divorce, impeachment, Ken Paxton, Senate, Texas | 4 Comments

So now the Lege will get involved

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

As I said yesterday, I don’t know if Greg Abbott would have called a special session to address the great tragedy happening in the Hill Country if one hadn’t already been on the calendar for other reasons. He didn’t call … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, The great state of Texas | Tagged Camp Mystic, CodeRED, Dan Patrick, DOGE, DPS, Dustin Burrows, FEMA, Flood Information & Response System, flooding, Greg Abbott, Guadalupe River, Heart O' the Hills, Joe Moody, Kerr County, Kerrville, National Emergency Management Association, National Weather Service, NOAA, Paul Bettencourt, Phil Bedient, Rafael Anchia, San Angelo, San Antonio, Sarah Eckhardt, Senate, special session, SSPEED, Texas, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Water Development Board, The Lege, Tropical Storm Barry, Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Wes Virdell | 2 Comments

The flood warning history of Kerr County

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

They’ve tried for awhile to get some funding for a flood warning system. They’ve failed every time. Nearly a decade before catastrophic flash flooding killed at least 75 people in Kerr County, including 27 children, several local officials were hard … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Camp Mystic, CodeRED, Comfort, Dan Patrick, DOGE, DPS, FEMA, Flood Information & Response System, flooding, Greg Abbott, Guadalupe River, Gulf of Mexico, Homeland Security, Hurricane Beryl, Hurricane Harvey, Ken King, Kendall County, Kerr County, Kerrville, National Emergency Management Association, National Weather Service, NOAA, Phil Bedient, San Angelo, San Antonio, Senate, special session, SSPEED, Texas, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Water Development Board, The Lege, Tropical Storm Barry, Upper Guadalupe River Authority | 10 Comments

Fifth Circuit keeps SB4 block in place

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

A bit of good news. A Texas law that would deputize state and local police to question and arrest people they suspect of being in the country illegally was blocked once again. The law would also authorize local judges to … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, American Gateways, Bastrop County, Congress, Donald Trump, DPS, El Paso, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Hidalgo County, immigration, Joe Biden, Justice Department, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, lawsuit, MALDEF, McLennan County, Mexico, SCOTUS, Senate, Steve McCraw, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, The Lege | Leave a comment

On the value of disaster warnings

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard to know where to start with this. For the last three days, state Rep. Wes Virdell has been out with first responders in Kerr County as they searched for victims and survivors from the devastating floods that swept … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Camp Mystic, Dan Patrick, DOGE, DPS, FEMA, flooding, Guadalupe River, Gulf of Mexico, Homeland Security, Hurricane Beryl, Ken King, Kerr County, Kerrville, National Emergency Management Association, National Weather Service, NOAA, San Angelo, San Antonio, Senate, Texas, Texas Department of Emergency Management, The Lege, Tony Tinderholt, Tropical Storm Barry, Wes Virdell | 9 Comments

Paxton drops his latest whistleblower appeal

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see if this time it sticks. Texas will pay $6.6 million to four former top deputies to Attorney General Ken Paxton who say they were fired after reporting their boss to the FBI. This years-long legal saga reached its … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Attorney General, Blake Brickman, bribery, David Maxwell, Election 2026, FBI, impeachment, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Mark Penley, Nate Paul, primaries, Ryan Vassar, Senate, Supreme Court, Texas, Texas Whistleblower Act, The Lege, Travis County | Leave a comment

A sudden surge in potential candidates

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg may be running for Governor. Sources say former Mayor Ron Nirenberg has been telling fellow Democrats he’s considering a run for governor in 2026 — a potentially grueling race against the formidable Republican Gov. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Bobby Cole, Colin Allred, Democratic primary, Donald Trump, Election 2026, Governor, Greg Abbott, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Lite Gov, Nathan Johnson, polls, primaries, Roland Gutierrez, Ron Nirenberg, Senate, Terry Virts, Texas, Vikki Goodwin | Leave a comment

Allred 2.0 launches

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

He’s back. Democrat Colin Allred launched his campaign for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, making a second run at the upper chamber after failing to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last year. “Texans are working harder than ever, not getting as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Colin Allred, Democratic primary, Donald Trump, Election 2024, Election 2026, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Mike Swanson, primaries, Republican Party, Senate, Ted Cruz, Terry Virts, Texas | 6 Comments

SD09 special election set for November

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This could, and hopefully will, be interesting. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday set a special election for Nov. 4 to fill the Texas Senate seat vacated by Republican Kelly Hancock, who resigned from the Legislature earlier this month to become the acting state comptroller. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2025 | Tagged Comptroller, Election 2018, Election 2025, Election 2026, Glenn Hegar, Greg Abbott, Gwenn Burud, Kelly Hancock, Leigh Wambsganss, Nate Schatzline, SD09, Senate, special election, Taylor Rehmet, Texas | Comments Off

Paxton minions hurl accusations at each other

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

What a nest of vipers the AG’s office must be. Several former and current top aides of Attorney General Ken Paxton are trading explosive accusations in legal and administrative filings, the latest of which alleges that Paxton’s right-hand deputy obstructed … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged Attorney General, Brent Webster, Chris Hilton, Election 2026, impeachment, John Cornyn, Jordan Eskew, Judd Stone, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, primaries, Senate, sexual harassment, State Bar of Texas, Texas | Comments Off

Virts becomes first official Dem Senate candidate

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Surely not the last. Terry Virts, a former astronaut and International Space Station commander, announced Monday he is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas as a Democrat. With his campaign launch, Virts became the first Democrat to join what … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Colin Allred, Democratic primary, Election 2024, Election 2026, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, primaries, Senate, Terry Virts, Texas | Comments Off

Abbott vetoes THC bill and calls special session

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Waited till the last minute because he’s such a drama queen. Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday vetoed a contentious state ban on THC products and shortly after called a special legislative session asking lawmakers to instead strictly regulate the substance. … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged cannabis, Congress, Dan Patrick, Election 2026, Greg Abbott, hemp, marijuana, redistricting, Senate, special session, Texas, THC, The Lege, veto | 6 Comments

Bobby Cole

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox, we have a Democrat running for Governor: Democrat Bobby Cole today announces his candidacy for Governor of Texas. Born near Houston and raised in East Texas, Bobby understands what everyday Texans are going through, because he’s been … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Bobby Cole, Democratic primary, Election 2026, Governor, Greg Abbott, Senate, Texas | Comments Off

No one knows what Greg Abbott will do, special session edition

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll probably know something by the end of the day today, but beyond that who knows. Gov. Greg Abbott seemed to get everything he wanted out of the Texas Legislature this year. “Without a doubt, this is the best session … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged cannabis, Congress, Dan Patrick, Election 2026, Greg Abbott, hemp, marijuana, redistricting, Senate, special session, Texas, THC, The Lege, veto | Comments Off

The Paxton opportunity

Posted on June 21, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

From Axios: A new private GOP poll is showing Republicans facing a growing problem in the Texas Senate race, the third such survey in just a month. Why it matters: Republicans haven’t lost a statewide race in Texas in more than three decades, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Colin Allred, Democratic primary, Donald Trump, Election 2026, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Lite Gov, Nathan Johnson, polls, primaries, Roland Gutierrez, Ron Nirenberg, Senate, Terry Virts, Texas, Vikki Goodwin | Comments Off

The other redistricting matter

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a story from the Fort Worth Report on the redistricting trial going on in El Paso, with a focus on the effect in Tarrant County. Federal judges in El Paso are reviewing a lawsuit that alleges Texas redistricting architects … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, Alabama, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian Pacific Islander Americans Public Affairs Association, Attorney General, Beverly Powell, Congress, Election 2024, Election 2026, Emgage, Fair Maps Texas Action Committee, Greg Abbott, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, LULAC, MALC, NAACP, National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Dallas Section, National Redistricting Foundation, OCA Houston, redistricting, SBOE, SCOTUS, SD10, Senate, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Texas, The Lege, Voting Rights Act | Comments Off

A few 2026 statewide candidate tidbits

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This Politico story is mostly a lot of chatter from Texas Dems who have many different opinions about what kind of candidates ought to be running statewide next year. I’m not interested in that, but there were some newsy bits … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Colin Allred, Democratic primary, Donald Trump, Election 2018, Election 2024, Election 2026, fundraising, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Lite Gov, Nathan Johnson, polls, primaries, Roland Gutierrez, Senate, Terry Virts, Texas, Vikki Goodwin | Comments Off

Some people are big mad at Dan Patrick

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s fun to watch. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was clear from the start. Weeks before this year’s legislative session began, and before he announced any other priorities, the Republican Senate leader said he wanted lawmakers to ban, at any cost, … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Dan Patrick, Election 2026, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege, Tom Oliverson, Vikki Goodwin | Comments Off

The beer and liquor difference on THC

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

My head is spinning. As Gov. Greg Abbott weighs Texas’ proposed THC ban, one industry is working overtime to influence his decision: the alcohol lobby. Amid plunging alcohol sales, some groups representing liquor stores are opposing the ban as they … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged beer, cannabis, Dan Patrick, Greg Abbott, hemp, liquor, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, Texas Package Stores Association, Texas Wholesale Beer Distributors, THC, The Lege, veto | 3 Comments

Add Rep. Talarico to the “thinking about running for Senate” list

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Join the party, there’s plenty of room. State Rep. James Talarico, a former schoolteacher who often goes viral on social media for his feisty exchanges with Republicans, told Hearst Newspapers he is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in … Continue reading →

A change in when we vote early

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting. Texas will no longer have a three-day gap between the end of early voting and Election Day under a bill passed by the Texas Legislature that is heading to Gov. Greg Abbott. Currently, Texas ends in-person early voting … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Bob Hall, early voting, Election 2026, Election 2028, John Bucy, Senate, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Still on the “what will Greg Abbott do with the THC ban” question

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

He’s going to take his sweet time, that much is for sure. Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged cannabis, Charles Perry, Dan Patrick, Election 2026, farming, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege | Comments Off

The THC ban and hemp farmers

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Obviously bad for them. Six years ago, Texas lawmakers opened a door to a new lifeline for farmers: growing hemp. Farmers invested time, money and land into growing the drought-resistant crop and developing the state’s budding hemp industry. The same … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Ag Commissioner, cannabis, Charles Perry, Dan Patrick, Election 2026, farming, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Sid Miller, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege, Tom Oliverson, Vikki Goodwin | 3 Comments

From the “Time has no meaning” department

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This is so stupid. Texas lawmakers have disagreed for years over whether and how to abolish the unpopular semiannual clock change in the state, but a bill that is on its way to the governor will finally bring an end … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged daylight saving time, Judith Zaffirini, Nathan Johnson, Paul Bettencourt, Senate, Texas, The Lege, Will Metcalf | 3 Comments

The death of bad bills is always worth celebrating

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Good, good, good. A handful of bills that would have stopped local governments from enacting their transportation priorities and hamstrung local transit efforts are likely dead. The measures failed to pass before key deadlines as the legislative session draws to … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Austin, bicycles, bike lanes, Dallas, DART, Harris County, HCTRA, Houston, John Whitmire, light rail, Paul Bettencourt, pedestrians, Senate, sidewalks, Texas, The Lege, toll roads | Comments Off

Abbott’s decision and Patrick’s tantrum

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

A brief roundup of some THC stories… What will Greg Abbott do? Gov. Greg Abbott has been tight-lipped about whether he’ll sign the bill on his desk that would ban THC in Texas. I don’t envy him. There’s really no … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged cannabis, Dan Patrick, Election 2026, Greg Abbott, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege, veto, Vikki Goodwin | 3 Comments

Film incentive bill passes

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Probably won’t be that big a deal, but we’ll see. The Texas House gave final approval to a bill increasing the amount of money the state spends to attract film and television productions. Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, TV and movies | Tagged Dan Patrick, Joan Huffman, National Conference of State Legislatures, Senate, Texas, Texas Film Commission, Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, The Lege, Todd Hunter | 1 Comment

Bill targeting abortion pills appears to be dead

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Three cheers for the end of session death-by-calendar watch. A major Texas bill that was poised to offer a blueprint for abortion restrictions has likely died in the state legislature. Senate Bill 2880, a top priority for the state’s abortion … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged abortion, Greg Abbott, mifepristone, Senate, special session, Texas, The Lege, voter registration, voter suppression | Comments Off

So about that Compassionate Use program…

Posted on May 27, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Psyche! A plan to expand Texas’ struggling medical marijuana program has been stripped down by a state Senate committee, just days after the House agreed to the upper chamber’s plan to ban all recreational THC. New draft language for House … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged cannabis, Compassionate Use Registry of Texas, Dan Patrick, hemp, marijuana, Senate, Texas, THC, The Lege, Tom Oliverson | 3 Comments

THC retailers upset by THC ban

Posted on May 26, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

What are y’all going to do about it? Sydney Torabi, co-founder of Austin-based Restart CBD, could only watch in disbelief late Wednesday night as the Texas House delivered a key vote to push through a ban on all products containing … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Dan Patrick, Election 2026, Gene Wu, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege, Tom Oliverson, Vikki Goodwin | Comments Off

Lege goes for full THC ban

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. The Texas House late Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill that would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, likely spelling the end for the state’s short-lived hemp industry. Under the legislation, which is nearing the governor’s desk … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Dan Patrick, Election 2026, Gene Wu, hemp, Lite Gov, marijuana, Senate, Texas, Texas Hemp Business Council, THC, The Lege, Tom Oliverson, Vikki Goodwin | 3 Comments

Long-awaited Texas redistricting trial begins

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Been waiting a long time for this one. Questions over whether Latinos had their voting power diminished in the Dallas area will be a focus of a federal trial in El Paso that begins Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, Al Green, Alabama, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian Pacific Islander Americans Public Affairs Association, Attorney General, Congress, Election 2024, Election 2026, Emgage, Fair Maps Texas Action Committee, Greg Abbott, Jasmine Crockett, Justice Department, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, LULAC, MALC, NAACP, National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Dallas Section, National Redistricting Foundation, OCA Houston, redistricting, SBOE, SCOTUS, Senate, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Texas, The Lege, Voting Rights Act | 5 Comments

Rep. Vikki Goodwin to run for Lite Guv

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Dems have their first official statewide candidate. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor in next year’s midterm election, giving up a safe seat in the Texas House to seek one of the state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged Attorney General, Dan Patrick, Democratic primary, Election 2026, Governor, HD47, Lite Gov, Senate, Texas, Vikki Goodwin | Comments Off

Tag Archives: Senate

Calendar

Categories

Archives

My linkage

Polling Texas 2020

Polling Texas 2018

Polling Texas 2016

Polling Texas 2014

Polling Texas 2012

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Tags

Blogroll

Utilities