Under the Dome News
Senator Bettencourt introduces bipartisan-supported "Sensible 4" education reform package
Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston has introduced a set of bills known as the "Sensible 4" for Public Education ahead of the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, starting January 14, 2025.
Bettencourt introduces 'Integrity-7' bills focusing on Texas election transparency
Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston has pre-filed a series of bills known as the "Integrity 7" in anticipation of the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, which is set to commence on January 14, 2025.
Latest News
Hull pre-files eight priority bills ahead of 2025 legislative session
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 26, 2024
Texas State Representative Lacey Hull (R-Houston) has pre-filed eight priority bills ahead of the 2025, or 89th, Texas legislative session.
Tepper files initial legislative priorities
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 20, 2024
Texas State Representative Carl Tepper (R-Lubbock) has filed his initial legislative priorities ahead of the 2025 Texas legislative session.
Plesa files legislation package focused on improving public education system
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 20, 2024
Texas State Representative Mihaela Plesa (D-Dallas) has introduced five legislative proposals aimed at enhancing and safeguarding the public education system.
Senator Brandon Creighton on DEI reforms: 'Our work isn't done—we'll keep up the momentum'
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 16, 2024
Brandon Creighton, State Senator of District 4 in Texas, said that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reforms for higher education institutions have made a significant impact at Texas A&M University but emphasized that the work is ongoing.
Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick: 'School choice is my top policy priority'
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 16, 2024
Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, has declared school choice as his primary policy focus.
Spiller files bills to prohibit foreign land ownership in Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 15, 2024
North Texas lawmaker State Representative David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) has filed two bills aimed at prohibiting foreign land ownership in the state.
Patterson's suite of bills aims to protect minors
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 15, 2024
Dallas-Fort Worth-area Texas State Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) has introduced a series of bills aimed at protecting minors ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Harrison files bill to 'rein in administrative state in Texas'
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 15, 2024
Dallas-Fort Worth-area Texas State Representative Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) has introduced a bill ahead of the 2025 legislative session, aiming to abolish regulations that have not undergone review.
Cain files legislation to block enforcement of 'red flag' laws
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 15, 2024
Houston-area Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) has introduced legislation aimed at defending Texans' Second Amendment rights ahead of the 2025, or 89th, legislative session.
Sen. Creighton: Teachers' unions ‘killed’ the ‘Teacher Bill of Rights’
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 6, 2024
Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton said the Teacher Bill of Rights addressed teachers' top concerns—safety, validation from administrators, and compensation—but was blocked by unions in the House to prevent a Republican from passing it. Creighton was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TEA Commissioner Morath urges Texas Senate to ban cellphones in classrooms
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 25, 2024
At last week’s Senate Education Committee hearing, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner, Mike Morath, urged lawmakers to consider legislation that would ban cellphones in Texas classrooms.
Texas lawmakers discuss ongoing lawsuits blocking school accountability ratings
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 20, 2024
During the Senate Committee on Education, chaired by Senator Brandon Creighton, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and Senator Bettencourt discussed ISD lawsuits that continue to block the TEA release of A-F School Accountability system ratings in 2023 and 2024.
It should be much easier to get public information, says one Texas lawmaker
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 11, 2024
On a recent episode of the Texas Talks podcast, Representative Cody Vasut said that he may pursue legislation which makes it easier for the public to access government records.
Senate committee to review federal fund usage by local governments
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 6, 2024
On Thursday, September 5th at 11:00 AM CST, Chairman Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and the Senate Committee on Local Government will host a hearing to discuss how local governments spend funds directly distributed to them by the federal government. The discussion will include Harris County's use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to set up a guaranteed-income pilot program, local government spending of directly distributed federal funds, and study issues about extra-territorial jurisdictions related to the implementation of SB 2038 and HB 3053.
Rep. Vasut: Underfunding the government ‘can be a threat to individual liberty’
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 29, 2024
Texas State Rep. Cody Vasut said that while the government can be a threat to individual liberty if it becomes too large, underfunding it, particularly in judicial pay, can also endanger liberty by affecting the quality and number of judges. Vasut was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Rep. Plesa: ‘Districts can't be bought’
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 26, 2024
Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa said she ran for office after noticing changes in the state, using her legislative experience to win a competitive race in Collin County, and that districts are to be won on policy, not money. Plesa was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Senator Menéndez: Hemp products ‘should be for those 21 and over’ and ‘heavily regulated’
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 26, 2024
Texas State Senator José Menéndez said that while cannabis remains illegal, the similarity between hemp and cannabis has led to unintended legalization, prompting calls for stricter regulations, especially to protect children and that these products should be restricted to those 21 and over. Menéndez was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
House Public Education Committee hears testimony on education savings accounts
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 15, 2024
The Texas House Public Education Committee fielded testimony on matters such as vouchers and other education legislation on August 12. The next legislative session will begin in the early part of next year.
