Latest News
State lawmakers Harrison, Schatzline urge Moody to hold interim hearings
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 13, 2024
Texas State Representatives Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) and Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) have expressed concerns over Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan's (R-Beaumont) refusal to issue interim charges on border security, potential child abuse, and fraud at Texas Children's Hospital. This has prompted the lawmakers to request Representative Joe Moody (D-El Paso) to hold interim hearings.
State Senator Hughes's data privacy law goes into effect
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 4, 2024
A data privacy law authored by Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) went into effect on July 1. Hughes touted the legislation as the strongest to protect consumer data.
Representative Shaheen hopes to continue work to protect children in the 89th legislative session
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 2, 2024
Representative Matt Shaheen, a Republican member of the Texas House representing West Plano and Far North Dallas, told the Lone Star Standard that one of his priorities for the 89th legislative session is to build on his past legislative successes to protect children.
Texas Education Agency's new curriculum receives widespread endorsement
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 7, 2024
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently announced the release of the new Open Education Resources. TEA's efforts were a response to HB1605 which aimed to strength parental rights, ensured school materials were age-appropriate, and directed TEA to establish a set of state-owned curriculum. Since its release, legislators, experts, and others have commented on the recently published instructional material from TEA:
Representative Troxclair to propose legislation regarding cell phones in Texas schools
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 3, 2024
According to a book by Jonathan Haidt, the Anxious Generation, the mental health crisis among children is real, pressing, and partly due to major increases in smartphone use by kids.
Texas Senate Committee moves to subpoena Facebook, Google
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously voted to authorize subpoenas on large tech firms, such as Facebook and Google, on the basis of election interference.
TCTA responds to Speaker Phelan's interim charges for the House Public Education Committee
By Lone Star Standard | May 24, 2024
Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, has released his list of interim charges for committees to consider before the start of the next session. His list was published in a press release on May 16.
Lovejoy ISD public information dispute is resolved, Rep. Patterson says
By Lone Star Standard | May 23, 2024
Over the last few weeks, Representative Jared Patterson (R-106) and a group of residents had a public dispute about a public information request with Lovejoy ISD.
Senate Local Government holds hearing aimed at addressing Texas' squatter issue
By Lone Star Standard | May 23, 2024
The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government convened a hearing this month, with the central focus being the issue of "squatters" in the state. The committee, led by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, invited residents to share their experiences with squatters.
Rep. Goodwin responds to AG Paxton’s effort to block proposed ATF rule
By Lone Star Standard | May 21, 2024
On Monday, Representative Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) voiced her opposition to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s successful effort to get a federal judge to temporarily block a recent Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule.
Patterson asks A.G. Paxton to appeal READER Act ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court
By Lone Star Standard | May 14, 2024
During the 88th legislative session, the legislature passed HB 900, the READER Act (Restricting Explicit and Adult Designated Educational Resources).
Texas businesses save $4.5 billion through Senator's SB 2 & 3
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
In the second Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) successfully passed SB 2 and SB 3, which have resulted in significant savings for Texas business and property owners. SB 2 provided historic property tax reductions, while SB 3 doubled the franchise tax exemption. This legislative change removed approximately 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) from the franchise tax roll and eliminated the need to file a 'No Tax Due' form.
Lopez appointed to the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations
By Lone Star Standard | May 11, 2024
State Representative Ray Lopez of Bexar County has been appointed to the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations. He joins six other members on this newly established committee, which was created to evaluate threats from hostile foreign organizations that could potentially harm the state’s economy, security, and values.
Bumgarner invites Denton County students to apply for Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
By Lone Star Standard | May 11, 2024
Texas State Representative Ben Bumgarner (R-House District 63) has extended an invitation to students in Denton County to apply for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP). The program offers eligible students the opportunity to receive up to $15,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Speaker Dade Phelan releases House interim charges
By Lone Star Standard | May 10, 2024
On Thursday, Texas Speaker Dade Phelan released interim charges for the 88th legislative session.
Texas House investigation on the Panhandle Wildfires issues its findings, recommendations
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
An investigation into Texas’s largest wildfire in history has released its final findings and recommendations into the causes of the fires and what should be done to prevent and respond to future incidents.
Speaker Phelan announces creation of Texas House Select Committee
By Lone Star Standard | May 7, 2024
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) announced the creation of the Texas House Select Committee on Securing Texas From Hostile Foreign Organizations.
Senator Pete Flores responds to interim charges: 'I believe that government’s first responsibility is public safety'
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 24, 2024
On April 11th, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced 57 interim charges for the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature.
Property Tax Reductions Help Texas Rise to Sixth in ALEC's States Economic Outlook Rankings
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 14, 2024
Austin, TX – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) shared insights on Texas's achievement in the American Legislative Exchange Council's Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitive Index. Bettencourt noted, "Texas leaping up the rankings in ALEC's Rich States, Poor States up to 6th is a testament to a solid continually growing economy, legislative leadership like Lt Governor Patrick committed to economic freedom, and the passage of a record property reduction bill pouring billions of dollars back into taxpayer's pockets."Moreover, Senator Bettencourt...
Lt. Governor announces Senate interim charges; 57 topics in total
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 11, 2024
On Thursday, April 11, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick issued 57 interim charges for the Texas Senate.
