AUSTIN — Welcome to the USA TODAY
Network's political newsletter for the special session at the
Texas
Legislature. Check back every Monday for the latest from the state
Capitol.
Convos at the Capitol
If
you blinked your eyes this weekend you might have missed the Senate
taking action on bills relating to the majority of Gov. Greg Abbott's
special session agenda.
Committees approved bills
banning primary insurance coverage for abortions, giving raises to
public school teachers and another regulating bathroom use in public
facilities.
The Senate has been moving at a rapid
fire pace, as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has asked for lawmakers in his
chamber to pass bills on all of the agenda items by the end of this
week.
Political experts say the move could be an
effort to pressure the House to act, as Speaker Joe Straus slowed down
consideration of a number of key conservative proposals during the
regular session — including the bathroom bill.
Patrick
even brought lawmakers back at midnight Thursday to consider a bill,
all in the hopes of highlighting his support for Abbott's agenda and
further aligning himself with the governor.
After
the Senate passed the bill, Abbott added 19 more items to the list of
issues lawmakers can tackle during the regular session, prompting a
weekend of whirlwind committee hearings.
Meanwhile, Abbott is
expected to meet with mayors from the state's 18 largest cities this
week in response to a letter that they sent the governor, outlining
concerns with several local control items on the special session call.
Comments
Post a Comment