Category Archives: That’s our Lege

How much does Houston want to piss off its neighbors?

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This is me, shaking my head. A proposal to cut Houston in on revenue generated through the county’s toll roads is threatening the city’s relationship with county officials and neighboring jurisdictions. The legislation making its way through both the Texas House … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just another reminder that abortion bans kill women

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

In case you needed it. Pregnant people living in states with abortion bans are almost twice as likely to die during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, a report released Wednesday found. The risk is greatest for Black women in … Continue reading →

Posted in National news, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Another Texas Lottery Commission director resigns

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Ryan Mindell, the embattled executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, has resigned, according to a terse press release published on the agency’s website Monday afternoon. Mindell’s departure comes almost exactly one year to the day after he took over the top job at … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

House passes Abbott’s voucher bill

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. The Texas House gave initial approval early Thursday to a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program, crossing a historic milestone and bringing Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority closer than ever to reaching his … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on House passes Abbott’s voucher bill

A possible wrench in the voucher engine

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

I approve. House Democrats are threatening to kill all constitutional amendments for the rest of session unless the House votes to put school vouchers before voters in November. They appear to have the numbers to make good on that special … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A possible wrench in the voucher engine

A high school transfer portal

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Almost certainly not going to happen, at least this session, but an interesting thought experiment. House Bill 619 is a straightforward two-page document. But the ramifications of its potential passing would drastically alter the landscape of high school sports in … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Taking from Harris to give to Houston

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This story from Tuesday perplexed me a little at first. Harris County would have to turn over tens of millions in toll road dollars to the city of Houston for use on public safety and emergency services under a bill … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Beware the trojan “abortion exceptions” bill

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Jessica Valenti warns us. Texas Republicans are poised to pull a fast one: They’ve convinced Democrats and doctors to support a bill they claim will protect life-saving abortion care and ‘clarify’ the state’s ban. But the rapidly advancing “Life of … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The uncertified teacher boom

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

The Lege creates problems for the Lege to try to fix. Lawmakers want to turn the tide on the growing number of unprepared and uncertified teachers by restricting who can lead Texas classrooms. But school leaders worry those limits will … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Senate passes Dan Patrick’s THC ban bill

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

You may want to stock up now if this would affect you. The Texas Senate on Wednesday passed a state ban on all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, advancing a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to crack down on … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Senate passes Dan Patrick’s THC ban bill

Bill to ban cellphones at schools proposed

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s got a lot of support early on. Lawmakers want Texas to join a growing number of states in restricting public school students from using their cellphones during the school day, answering calls from educators who say the state needs … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Get rid of the delinquent tax collectors

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad Harris County is out of this business. Texas has the seventh-highest property taxes in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation, an unwelcome distinction state officials have for years tried to shed as they have repeatedly promised to … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Get rid of the delinquent tax collectors

Of course some companies will make bank on school vouchers

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

That’s just how this works. In August 2024, the business magazine Inc. released its annual list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. At 815th, a burgeoning upstart called ClassWallet cracked the list’s top 20 percent for the third straight … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Of course some companies will make bank on school vouchers

Once again, don’t bet on expanded gambling

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the safest wager out there. A dozen Texas House Republicans who replaced pro-gambling lawmakers said this week they would oppose “any attempt to expand gambling” this session — a setback for efforts to legalize casinos and sports betting in … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Once again, don’t bet on expanded gambling

Bill to fix joint primary problem introduced

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Worth watching. What happened? Texas state senators Thursday held a public hearing on legislation crafted to update a 2023 law requiring certain counties to drastically increase the number of polling locations if they use vote centers for countywide voting. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bill to fix joint primary problem introduced

Uvalde legislator files bill to improve police response to the next Uvalde situations

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest. State Rep. Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde when a gunman tore through the town’s peace and killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, has filed a bill aimed at addressing some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Uvalde legislator files bill to improve police response to the next Uvalde situations

Rebooting Texas’ film incentive program

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Everything old is new again. A promise to make Texas the film capital of the world has left local creatives raring to cash in — and preparing for a legislative battle. The Texas Senate has proposed injecting $498 million to … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, TV and movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rebooting Texas’ film incentive program

On paying for school security

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

The Lege passed a big unfunded mandate in 2023 for schools to hire more security guards. They’re under some pressure to pay up for it this session, though there’s plenty of reason to think they’ll still cheap out. Since Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On paying for school security

Abbott says he’s for sports betting

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Doesn’t really change anything, though. Gov. Greg Abbott is ready to allow online sports betting in Texas. In an exclusive interview for the Texas Take Podcast, Abbott said he has no objection to the Texas Legislature passing a law to … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There are bills to require backup power for nursing homes and assisted living facilities

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Good, but it’s a long way from filing to passing. When a storm hits the Texas coast during the summer hurricane season, state Sen. Borris Miles knows among the first calls he’ll get is from a constituent letting him know … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Of course minors are seeking out of state abortions, too

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

What did you expect? At least 100 Texas children aged 17 and younger got abortions in other states during the first year after Texas banned the procedure, including six aged 11 and under, according to the latest state data available. … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On weakening vaccine mandates

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

I had to take several deep breaths while reading this story. They only helped a little. When speech pathologist Rebecca Hardy recalls her up-close seat to lawmaking during the 2015 state legislative session, she remembers how tough it was to … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Here’s the voucher proposal

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Here it is. Get ready to be sick of the whole debate by the end of the session. The Texas Senate revealed a bill on Friday to create an education savings accounts program, a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TEC drops ethics complaint against state GOP Chair

Posted on January 23, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Boy that was fast. The Texas Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against the state Republican Party Chair alleging that he illegally threatened and intimidated lawmakers over their support for a House speaker candidate, according to the state House Member … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TEC drops ethics complaint against state GOP Chair

Dan Patrick says something about abortion

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Usually, when Dan Patrick says something should happen in the Legislature, he gets his way. With this, I’m not so sure he actually has anything in mind, and as such I’m not expecting anything. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Yeah, we’re still not getting sports betting

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

But Axios is gonna write about it as if there’s a chance, because it’s that time of the biennium again. Texas remains a holdout in the nationwide push to expand gambling, but industry representatives are headed to Austin for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Burrows elected Speaker

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Gotta admit, I’m a little surprised. Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was voted speaker of the Texas House on Tuesday, elevating him to one of the most powerful positions in state government. Burrows’ win marks a disappointing defeat for the insurgent … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Where the Lege might go next on abortion

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

There’s always further to go. Last legislative session was the quietest in decades for abortion. After successfully banning nearly all abortions, Republicans were wary about continuing to push an issue that is widely unpopular with voters. This session, coming off … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Republican State Rep accuses state GOP Chair of ethics violations

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, my. A Republican Texas House member is calling for the state party chair to be investigated, alleging that he illegally threatened and intimidated lawmakers who are not supporting the party’s preferred candidate for House speaker. In a complaint filed to the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The coming push to require proof of citizenship to register to vote

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is a complete non-problem, but “solving” things that aren’t problems and in doing so creating real problems that then need to be solved is very on brand for Republicans. Republicans are making a big push for legislation requiring Texans … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Dustin Burrows dilemma

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I have four things to say about this. Five years ago, Rep. Dustin Burrows’ reputation sustained a major blow among his House colleagues. The Lubbock Republican resigned as chair of the House GOP Caucus after it was revealed that he … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dan Patrick wants to ban all THC products

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

No hemp for you! Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Wednesday that lawmakers in the state Senate would move to ban all forms of consumable tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in Texas. Patrick, who presides over the Senate and largely controls the flow … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Phelan withdraws his Speaker bid

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Palace intrigue time. House Speaker Dade Phelan on Friday announced he is dropping his bid for another term leading the lower chamber, ending a bruising, monthslong intraparty push to remove him from power. Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I do not expect any aspect of the rural health care problem to be addressed by the Lege

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, I just don’t see it happening. Twenty five years ago, the Texas Legislature passed a sweeping set of reforms to resuscitate the state’s collapsing rural health care system. Now, health care providers, advocates and local leaders are proposing similarly … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on I do not expect any aspect of the rural health care problem to be addressed by the Lege