Nearly 60 Texas House Democrats left the state last Monday for Washington, D.C. in an effort to stop passage of a Republican-led elections bill. This in effect blocks all legislation since the House doesn’t have a quorum present.

The Senate has passed legislation covering all the topics put on the agenda by Governor Greg Abbott in just a few days, but it’s unlikely any of them will reach the governor’s desk after opponents to a proposed election bill broke quorum in the House, leaving that chamber unable to conduct business.

The Texas Legislature convened in special session last Thursday and GOP legislators introduced a fresh set of voting bills after Democrats blocked an earlier attempt during the regular session by walking out in May, preventing a quorum.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 14 the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is receiving more than $210 million in federal emergency grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for mental health and substance use disorder services to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, Texans headed back to nature in record numbers, with more people visiting state parks, hunting, fishing, and boating than ever before. A new congressional proposal aims to tap that exploding interest by investing more than $50 million per year in Texas for wildlife recovery and related public education and recreation, a move expected to boost the state’s already booming nature-based economy into overdrive.

Thousands of Texans and out-of-state visitors headed to Texas lakes, rivers and coastal bays to celebrate the Independence Day weekend. Texas Game Wardens were out in force to ensure everyone stayed safe on the water.

Power grid operators are requesting energy conservation, due to tight grid conditions that will prompt several rolling black outs in the midst of soaring temperatures, according to a statement from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Texans would no longer need a state license to carry a handgun, either concealed or openly, under a measure approved by the Senate on Wednesday. Current law requires individuals to obtain a license from the state to carry a handgun, but bill sponsor and Georgetown Senator Charles Schwertner believes that is an artificial barrier to the exercise of a citizen’s Second Amendment rights.