Federal court to hear case challenging Texas’ new congressional map ahead of midterm elections
Civil rights groups argue that the state’s mid-decade congressional redistricting plan amounts to racial gerrymandering, making it unconstitutional. They’re seeking an injunction to block it from taking effect before congressional candidates have to register for the 2026 midterm elections.
Texas Democratic Party launches expansion plan aimed at ending decades-long statewide losing streak
The party’s executive committee approved a strategic effort that involves shifting its headquarters to Dallas, while maintaining an office in Austin, opening new offices in Houston, Amarillo, Eagle Pass, and potentially the Rio Grande Valley. Analysts say it will take years for the plan to pay dividends.
Civil rights groups challenge Texas GOP leaders’ efforts to expel Democratic House members who broke quorum
Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have separately petitioned the Supreme Court of Texas to have 13 lawmakers declared to have abandoned their offices after they left the state for two weeks to temporarily prevent the passage of a Republican-led congressional redistricting plan.
Gov. Greg Abbott asks for new penalties for Texas lawmakers who flee to halt legislative sessions
The governor announced he was expanding his special session agenda shortly after the Texas House passed a congressional map that Democrats had delayed by leaving the state.
Gov. Abbott instructs Texas Legislature to begin second special session at noon on Friday
Gov. Greg Abbott released his second special session proclamation moments after the state legislature officially called its first special session to a close. The governor told lawmakers to begin work Friday afternoon.
Abbott, Paxton will seek court orders to have Democrats who broke quorum thrown out of office
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that he will seek a court ruling declaring that state House Democrats who broke quorum and left the state have “abandoned their offices." Gov. Greg Abbott moved faster, filing an emergency petition with the Supreme Court of Texas to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office.
Houston Congressman Al Green threatens lawsuit, impeachment over Texas redistricting plan
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has cited mid-decade redistricting as part of his agenda for the state's upcoming special legislative session. Four congressional districts long held by Democrats, including three in Houston, are being targeted.
Texas will seek $11 billion in reimbursement from Trump administration for border security expenditures
President Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation package, which he signed into law July 4, includes roughly $13 billion in funding to reimburse states that spent, or plan to spend, their own funds to deter illegal border crossings between January 2021 and January 2029.
Texas trafficking victims face prosecution for committing crimes under duress. Lawmakers could change that.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have addressed the issue following the regular session of the Legislature, saying Senate Bill 1278 went too far to grant immunity to victims of trafficking for committing potentially violent crimes.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders preemptive strike on screwworm in Texas
Abbott ordered two Texas agencies to begin working together and with residents and business leaders to stop the spread of the invasive fly before it even starts.
Houston Public Media