Tag: texas

  • Update: SCOTUS issues 5-4 ruling rejecting emergency appeal to Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy

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    The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a 5-4 ruling on Sept. 1, denying a request to block enforcement of a Texas law banning abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing private civil right of action related to violations of the law. The latter authorization allows private citizens to bring civil…

  • Texas House of Representatives District 10 special election heads to runoff

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    Image of a red sign with the words "Polling Place" a pointing arrow.

    A special general election was held for the Texas House of Representatives District 10 on Aug. 31. Brian E. Harrison (R) and John Wray (R) advanced to a general runoff election and defeated six other candidates. The candidate with the third-most votes was Pierina Otiniano (D). A runoff date had not been announced as of…

  • SCOTUS declines to act in emergency appeal to Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy

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    The Supreme Court of the United States on Aug. 31 did not respond to an emergency appeal filed by a group of abortion providers seeking to block enforcement of a Texas law banning abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing private civil right of action related to violations of the law. The latter…

  • Campaign finance update: Top fundraisers in Texas

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    Campaign finance requirements govern the raising and spending of money for political campaigns. While not the only factor in an election’s outcome, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages, such as the ability to boost name recognition and promote a message. In addition, fundraising can indicate enthusiasm for candidates and parties. This article lists…

  • Texas legislature refers constitutional amendment to May 2022 ballot

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    Texas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment related to a property tax reduction for elderly and disabled residents on May 7, 2022. The amendment was passed during the second special legislative session, which convened on Aug. 7, 2021. The amendment would authorize the state legislature to reduce the property tax limit for school maintenance…

  • Seven applicants in the running for vacant Texas Supreme Court seat

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    Seven applicants are vying for an open seat on the Texas Supreme Court as of Aug. 18. The applicants are seeking to fill a vacancy on the court created when former Justice Eva Guzman stepped down on June 11 to run for Texas attorney general. Under Texas law, in the event of a midterm vacancy,…

  • Special election to be held in Texas House district

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    A special election is being held on Aug. 31 for District 10 of the Texas House of Representatives. The candidate filing deadline was Aug. 12. Pierina Otiniano (D), Kevin Griffin (R), Brian Harrison (R), Susan Hayslip (R), Clark Wickliffe (R), John Wray (R), Matt Savino (L), and Scott Goodwin (I) are running in the general…

  • Filing deadline approaches to run for school board in Texas

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    The filing deadline to run for school board in seven Texas school districts is on Aug. 16. Prospective candidates may file to run in the following districts: Aldine Independent School District (3 seats) Alief Independent School District (3 seats) Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (3 seats) Houston Independent School District (5 seats) Klein Independent School District…

  • Texas House lacks quorum as second special session begins

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    On August 7, 2021, the Texas House of Representatives began a new 30-day special session without a quorum. The chamber has been without a quorum since July 12 when enough Democrats left the state during consideration of House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 1 to break quorum. At least 50 members of the Democratic caucus…

  • Austin police staffing minimum and training requirements initiative qualifies for the ballot

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    On Tuesday, the Austin city clerk announced that the group Save Austin Now submitted enough valid signatures to qualify its initiative for the ballot. The initiative would: establish a minimum police department staffing requirement based on the population of the city, which would require the city to hire additional police officers; state that the police…