The Rightward Lurch
The 2019 legislative session was applauded for being a relatively sane session that stayed laser-focused on comprehensive reform of the state’s school finance system. In the wake of multiple statewide crises, many hoped that legislators would maintain a similar focus on serious policymaking.
No dice. The legislative session has swerved to the right with Republicans pushing hard for a raft of conservative bills that have long been a priority for the party’s base. That lurch accelerated this week as Republicans in the House and Senate advanced a number of key bills on abortion, permitless carry, and voting restrictions.
Voters cast their ballot at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on November 3, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]
In the name of making elections more secure, the move by the Texas Republican-controlled legislature to put more restrictions on voting rules has attracted attention and generated opposition from some major corporations across the country.
About 50 companies and business organizations – including Microsoft, Etsy, American Airlines, HP, Patagonia – signed a letter under a newly formed group Fair Elections Texas to oppose any changes that would restrict eligible voters access to the ballot in Texas.
Texas House Bill 6 and Senate Bill 7 are proposing to change voting access. The bills would prevent county election officials from keeping polling places open late to give voters like shift workers more time to vote, place more restrictions on people who provided assistance, allow poll watchers to record video or take photos of people voting, ban drive-thru voting,
Lieutenant governor hopeful Mike Collier visits Laredo
May 6, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
Mike Collier met with around 10 members of the Webb County Democratic Party at their headquarters in north Laredo, Thursday, April 29.Julia Wallace /Laredo Morning Times
Mike Collier, a Texas Democrat who has twice run for lieutenant governor, is testing the waters for a third run. He has made up his mind to run again in 2022, but for the next two months he will be traveling across the state to meet with the local Democratic Parties and make sure they support his candidacy.
Last Thursday, Collier met with around 10 members of the Webb County Democratic Party at their headquarters in north Laredo.
By Ryan Shepard
May 6, 2021
Lawmakers in Texas have moved forward with plans to loosen gun restrictions across the state. This week, 18 members of the Texas Senate succeeded in their effort to push forth controversial firearms legislation known as HB 1927. Under this bill, residents who are 21 years old or older may purchase and carry firearms without a license. However, this bill will not allow adults of the appropriate age to carry firearms if they have already been deemed ineligible by the state legislature.
As expected, HB 1927 was approved along party lines. Eighteen Republican members of the state senate voted in favor of the bill while 13 Democratic senate members voted against it. Immediately after it was sent to Governor
May 5, 2021
A bill letting people carry handguns without a permit is being introduced on the floor of the Texas Senate. Senator Dr. Charles Schwertner started discussing the bill late this morning. Supporters say it s important to restore a right removed in the 1870s while suggesting it will keep people more safe. Opponents, including police chiefs, say it will make police jobs harder because officers won t know if someone they encounter is armed or not. The Texas House passed the bill last month. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick originally suggested permitless carry wouldn t pass the Senate, but later formed a new committee to hear the bill.