Under The Dome News

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Texas state Rep. Ana Hernandez: 'SB4, an unconstitutional law that authorizes any peace officer in TX to engage in federal immigration enforcement'

Texas state Rep. Ana Hernandez recently expressed her opposition to SB 4 on social media, stating her belief that the bill is unconstitutional. According to the text of the bill, SB 4 would criminalize illegal entry into Texas.
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Texas Rep. Keith Bell's policy accomplishments include investments in border security and women's sports

Texas State Representative Keith Bell recently released a summary of his policy achievements from the 88th Legislature. The key accomplishments include substantial investments in border security and the protection of women's sports.
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Texas state Rep. Thierry: 'Proud to be a leader in the #txlege raising awareness and passing legislation to extend healthcare coverage postpartum'

Texas State Representative Shawn Thierry has championed three bills concerning women's health, with one of these proposals, HB 465, currently under consideration in the Senate. Thierry has underscored the importance of tackling maternal mortality and morbidity, highlighting her legislative endeavors to prolong healthcare coverage postpartum.
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Texas state Rep. Ellen Troxclair: 'I stand with Governor Abbott as he fights to protect the unprecedented flood of illegal immigrants pouring across our Southern Border.'

Texas State Representative Ellen Troxclair has voiced her support for Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border. This statement comes amidst escalating tensions between Abbott and President Joe Biden over Operation Lone Star.
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State Rep. John Bryant: National Democrats 'don’t invest a lot' in Texas

State Rep. John Bryant D-Dallas, said that the Democratic National Committee has abandoned Texas as an investment, but not as a source of income. He states Texas Democrats do not appreciate this, as they see Texas as a state swinging to the Democrats.

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State Rep. John Bryant: ‘The things you remember that you feel good about are the things you took a risk to do’

State Rep. John Bryant (D-Dallas), said that keeping a low-profile is one of the least efficient things you can do as a politician. This self-preservation tactic, in the end, turns out to be self-defeating.
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State Rep. John Bryant: ‘Our homeowners, they don’t need hundreds of dollars in tax relief, they need thousands of dollars in tax relief’

State Rep John Bryant (D-Dallas) said that Republican tax relief for homeowners would not provide enough support. Democrats have proposed a bill that would provide more relief for homeowners, and those who rent.
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State Rep. John Bryant: Pending states' rights decisions prompted him to ‘get involved again’

State Rep. John Bryant (D-Dallas) said that the invasion of the Capitol and increasing amount of authoritarian talk encouraged him to get up off the sidelines and become involved again in politics. He was also concerned with decisions pending in the Supreme Court relating to the power of states.
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Paul Bettencourt: 'The Senate voted unanimously for SB 2'

Texas State Senate Member, Paul Bettencourt, has announced a record $18.1 billion cut in property taxes. He revealed via Twitter that his office has been inundated with calls of gratitude from the public.
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State Sen. Nathan Johnson: Recent senate bill on human smuggling penalties ‘has been on the books since 1999’

State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) said a recent senate bill did not create a new law, contrary to popular belief. Johnson discussed some of the different senate bills from the last several sessions that had caused confusion for constituents, and stressed the importance of passing effective bills.
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State Sen. Nathan Johnson: Nobody in the Capitol ‘would ever call me timid’

State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) said he's not worried about having an opponent to run against because it will show constituents what he is capable of as a legislator. Johnson was recently challenged in the upcoming election by fellow state Democrat Victoria Neave Criado who currently serves as a state Representative in the Texas House.
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Texas business groups announce the creation of a childcare task force

A coalition of Texas business groups has announced the formation of an Employers Childcare Task Force, which will devise a strategic childcare policy agenda for the 2025 legislative session. The coalition is spearheaded by the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Association of Business, Early Matters Texas, and Texas 2036.
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ACLU of Texas challenges Senate Bill 4 in court

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas has announced that it is filing a lawsuit to challenge Senate Bill 4 (SB-4), following its signing into law by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican from Texas. SB-4 permits local and state law enforcement officials in Texas to detain anyone they suspect of illegally entering the state.
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Texas Classroom Teachers Association announces importance of upcoming primaries in ongoing school choice and school funding debates.

The Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) has expressed its belief that the issue of education savings accounts, despite being defeated in the 4th Special Session, will persist. The association also advocates for significant increases in public school funding in Texas.
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The ACLU of Texas is very concerned about SB-4

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, a prominent civil rights organization, has partnered with other groups in the state to express apprehension about the potential consequences of Senate Bill 4 (SB-4). This legislation authorizes state law enforcement to arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry into the country. Prior to Governor Greg Abbott's signing of the bill last week, the ACLU voiced legal and ethical concerns regarding the proposed law.
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ALEC names Senator Paul Bettencourt '2023 Legislator of the Year'

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the largest nonpartisan organization of state legislators, gave Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD-7) the "2023 Legislator of the Year" for his work to pass historic property tax relief in Texas this year. This award recognizes lawmakers who demonstrate leadership and commitment to ALEC’s principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.
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Rep. Andrew Murr becomes the seventh House Republican to not seek re-election

Representative Andrew Murr (District 53) recently announced that he will not seek re-election, saying the sacrifices he and his family have made are too great to continue in the Texas House. This move marks him as the seventh House Republican in recent times to make such a decision.
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Efforts to pass school choice in Texas grind to a halt in the 4th special session

On Friday a much anticipated vote on HB1, the omnibus school funding legislation, was set on the House floor. There was a lot of speculation about what the outcome would be on the package which included Governor Greg Abbott’s top public policy priority, education savings accounts (ESAs).
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New report says Texas faces an elevated risk of insufficient electricity supplies this winter

Texas and other parts of the U.S. face an elevated risk of energy emergencies in extreme conditions for the upcoming winter. In a new report, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) says that Texas is at higher risk of insufficient electricity supplies this winter than last year.
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TPPF applauds passage of major border security bills in Texas House

Today, the Texas House passed two major border security bills that are essential to reining in the border crisis, protecting Texas communities, and asserting Texas sovereignty. Senate Bill 3 has been amended and will return to the Senate. Senate Bill 4 will head to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
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