Texas House advances fundraising restrictions for lawmakers who leave state to block legislation

The proposal would cap absent members’ daily fundraising at $221 — their current per diem payment — and entirely prohibit the use of political funds for travel expenses.
Rep. Alma Allen, longtime Houston Democratic lawmaker, to retire from Texas House

Allen, known for her focus on public education issues, announced her retirement after 20 years in the House. She endorsed her son, Lawrence Allen Jr., to succeed her.
Some Texas counties replace touchscreen voting machines after Trump order

Collin, Bastrop and Williamson counties say they’re proactively changing their voting procedures and equipment following a federal attempt to limit barcodes or QR codes on paper ballots.
In rapidly diversifying Tarrant County, a summer of GOP redistricting hits Black and Latino representation

Despite explosive growth turning Tarrant into a racially diverse swing county, two new political maps will leave it with whiter, more Republican representation.
Hoping to curb roadside deaths, TxDOT is helping stranded drivers in West Texas

The one-year experiment in Midland and Ector counties is based on similar efforts in larger cities. A nonprofit backed by oil companies and Midland County are helping pay for it.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton expected to be sole finalist for Texas Tech chancellor

The Conroe Republican has authored some of Texas’ major higher education legislation in recent years, including a DEI ban and a law expanding political appointees’ power in universities.
As Guatemalan kids sit in planes in Texas, judge orders they stay in the U.S., for now

Hours before the hastily scheduled court hearing, about 50 children were escorted to planes at Harlingen’s Valley International Airport, a hub for deportation flights.
Gov. Greg Abbott signs new Texas congressional map designed to give GOP five more seats

The governor was expected to sign off on the new district lines, which passed the Legislature last week and aim to flip five Democratic seats in the 2026 midterms.
ACLU, other groups sue to block Texas’ DEI ban on K-12 public schools

The suit alleges the new state law unconstitutionally silences the viewpoints of students and teachers. The law’s supporters say DEI programs use public funds to promote political agendas.
THC ban stalls out down the homestretch of Texas special legislative session

High priority bills that propose banning THC have not moved through the Texas House, as the current overtime session could conclude in the coming days.