Latest News
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.
Texas House creates a committee to evaluate the state and implications of AI and emerging technologies
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 10, 2024
The Texas House of Representatives has formed a new committee to investigate the advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies (AI/ET). The committee, named the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, is will be conducting an extensive review of these technologies and their potential impacts on Texas.
Texas State Representatives and candidates promise reform in the State House of Representatives
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 9, 2024
Thirteen Texas Republicans, including five Texas State Representatives and eight candidates signed a letter promising to reform the Texas State House of Representatives and ensure the next speaker of the house selected is a Republican.
Use of a loophole in Texas’ housing program persists and is expanding says Representative Gary Gates
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 2, 2024
A program intended to provide affordable housing for families in Texas is wide of the mark, according to Representative Gary Gates (HD28). Gates owns apartment complexes as part of his business and serves as the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Urban Affairs.
Texas Business and Property Owners Seeing $4.5 Billion Yearly Savings Thanks to SB 2 and SB 3
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Austin, TX – In the 2nd called Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) passed SB 2, which provided historic property tax reductions, and SB 3, which doubled the franchise tax exemption taking around 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) off the franchise tax roll, and eliminated the requirement to file a ‘No Tax Due’ form. SB 3 also eliminated the administrative burden of filing a ‘No Tax Due’ franchise tax return for 2.178 million SMBs. Senator Bettencourt was the author of SB 2 and SB 3, which were sponsored in the...
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani: Both parties ‘want what's best for Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 27, 2024
Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani said it is important to foster good relationships across party lines to advance the interests of the state. Bhojani was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Rep. Troxclair says she will continue work to 'ensure that all Texas taxpayers are protected from reckless financing schemes'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 20, 2024
During the 88th regular session, former Austin City Council Member and, now, State Representative (HD-19), Ellen Troxclair filed HB3899 to address Austin’s proposed financing mechanism for its light rail project.
Texas state Rep. Cody Harris: 'Texas has spent an average of $75 million annually to relocate 102,000 migrants to locations across the country'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 1, 2024
Texas State Representative Cody Harris has reacted to a Texas Tribune article that reported the state had spent $148 million on transporting undocumented immigrants northward. Harris, who co-authored bills on border security and immigration during the 88th Legislative Session, suggested that the costs associated with relocating migrants should be evaluated based on the program's "effectiveness" and "necessity."
Senator Bettencourt says Austin rail project financing is 'likely unconstitutional'
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 27, 2024
During the 88th legislative session, Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD-7) authored a bill which sought to address the City of Austin’s novel financing mechanism for its $7 billion light rail project. While the House version of the bill (HB3899) was on the floor of the Senate, Bettencourt added an amendment that would explicitly prohibit a municipality from issuing debt backed by maintenance & operations property tax revenue. The amended bill passed the Texas Senate 27-3.
Texas state Rep. Penny Morales Shaw's bill priorities include paid parental leave, youth pre-trial intervention and a special environmental remediation fund
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 27, 2024
Texas State Representative Penny Morales Shaw, a Democrat, has outlined her legislative priorities in an interview with the Lone Star Standard. These include paid parental leave, youth pre-trial prevention, and a special environmental remediation fund. Morales Shaw is currently campaigning for re-election to represent District 148 in the Texas House of Representatives.
Texas state Rep. Ana Hernandez: 'SB4, an unconstitutional law that authorizes any peace officer in TX to engage in federal immigration enforcement'
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 27, 2024
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.
Texas Rep. Keith Bell's policy accomplishments include investments in border security and women's sports
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 21, 2024
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.
Texas state Rep. Thierry: 'Proud to be a leader in the #txlege raising awareness and passing legislation to extend healthcare coverage postpartum'
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 9, 2024
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.
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.'
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 29, 2024
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.
State Rep. John Bryant: National Democrats 'don’t invest a lot' in Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 10, 2024
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.
State Rep. John Bryant: ‘The things you remember that you feel good about are the things you took a risk to do’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 8, 2024
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.
State Rep. John Bryant: ‘Our homeowners, they don’t need hundreds of dollars in tax relief, they need thousands of dollars in tax relief’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 5, 2024
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.
State Rep. John Bryant: Pending states' rights decisions prompted him to ‘get involved again’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 3, 2024
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.
Paul Bettencourt: 'The Senate voted unanimously for SB 2'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 31, 2023
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.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson: Recent senate bill on human smuggling penalties ‘has been on the books since 1999’
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 22, 2023
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.
