The final countdown begins in the last month of the Texas 87th Session. The budget is in conference committees, bills pass through the chambers as fast as ever, there is big news from the Census Bureau, and we have just 31 days left to go! Constitutional Carry Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick created a Senate special…
The Texas 87th saw a number of high-profile bills move through the chamber as the Session quickly approached its final month. With calendars growing longer and longer each day, the House and Senate are hard at work discussing key legislation. Bills are flying across the capitol and the finish line is in sight. Constitutional Carry…
It’s full steam ahead for the Texas 87th. With just under a month and a half left to go, both chambers are burning the midnight oil as bills fly out of committee, to the floors, and across the capitol. After a busy week at the legislature, we have all you need to know right here.…
There’s no rest for the Texas 87th as session deadlines quickly approach. Lawmakers returned to the Capitol after the holiday weekend to buckle down for a week full of committee hearings, bill readings, and ongoing work on the Texas power grid, election integrity, and so much more! Powering Texas Lawmakers continue their hard work and…
Today leaves 59 days in the Texas 87th legislative session. Both chambers were bustling as an increasing number of bills made their ways out of committees and to the floor for final readings and votes. The House adjourned Thursday, April 1, and will reconvene Tuesday, April 6. The Senate adjourned Wednesday, March 31, and will…
Just past the halfway mark of the 87th Legislative Session, there was great news for Texas this week as Covid-19 vaccine eligibility expansion was announced, the Senate reviewed important pandemic liability legislation, and efforts to improve the state’s power system forged ahead. Fast Facts and Figures Last week, the total number of bills reported out…
The Cold Storm continues, this time it’s within the Texas Capitol, as leadership and the Legislative offices work on varying solutions to fix storm problems and address future electric issues. Budget writers in both chambers are marking up and finalizing their committee’s budget bills very quickly. All other committee hearings are going full steam ahead…
The Texas 87th is in full swing this week as unrestricted bill filing wraps up on Friday, March 12. To date, there are over 4,000 bills filed in the House and about 1,500 bills filed in the Senate. Amid Texas reopening 100%, approximately 7 million Covid-19 vaccines have been distributed across the state, committees meet…
It keeps getting busier and better with 87 days left for the Texas 87th. With over 4,000 bills filed in both chambers combined, the Senate began referring bills to Committee on Wednesday, and the House is expected to do so next week. The House reconvenes at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 9 pending the reading and…
After a record-breaking week across the state, we have our sights set on springing forward with the Texas 87th. While many are still “digging out” from last weeks storm events, the Legislature has little time to stall in getting back to business. And they are poised to do so this week. Keep in mind that…
Legislators were welcomed back to the Capitol this week as the session geared up for the final month before the unrestricted bill filing deadline (March 12). With five action items on the to-do list, Governor Abbott released his budget for the biennium, and the Senate Finance Committee plans to meet nine more times before the…
The Texas 87th is about a month into its 140-day session, and the Governor has outlined five priorities to receive emergency action in his State of the State address Monday evening. Texas continues to deliver good news about the COVID-19 vaccination effort. House committee assignments have just been announced ahead of the House and Senate…
Things are ramping up at the Capitol. The Governor gives his State of the State February 1 at 7 p.m., carried live on Nexstar broadcasting stations, over 2,000 bills have been filed, and House committee assignments loom over the horizon. The Senate has begun Redistricting hearings with different regional focuses each day. Here is a…
After a week-long official hiatus, tomorrow the Texas 87th Legislature is ready to roll. Both Chambers have adopted their Covid rules. In the House, one representative has already tested positive for COVID-19 and others are in isolation. The House rules passed in HB 2 require masks, expand remote voting to the adjoining rooms, and permit…
Here we are, five days in, and already so much has happened! Masks, hand sanitizers, drones, and safety troopers were in no short supply as Dade Phelan was elected Speaker of the House, while Governor Abbott hinted at permanently establishing alcohol to-go, and the Comptroller’s Biennial Revenue Estimate hit the airwaves. And the Texas Senate…
Happy New Year! Everyone is most hopeful now that “2020” is behind us. Let us keep the faith! As we hit the ground running, the 87th Legislature meets tomorrow, January 12th. New members will be sworn in, to vote on a House Speaker -Dade Phelan looks to be a shoe in- then each chamber will…
Covid Vacines are on the way!!!! Also, by this weekend, there will be a prohibition on contributions to Texas Legislators and other elected officials until after the next Legislation Session. This week, there were over 40 fundraisers in Austin! Now, we focus on the 87th Legislative Session, set to begin on January 12th and will…
COMMITTEE: Health & Human Services TIME & DATE: 9:30 AM, Monday, December 7, 2020 PLACE: E1.012 (Hearing Room) CHAIR: Senator Lois Kolkhorst The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will meet on Monday, December 7 to hear invited testimony on the following topics: COVID-19: Examine clinical best practices, including therapeutics, for treating COVID-19 patients at…
Yes, it is indeed 2020! Shutdowns galore, an unsettled election, riots and an America that is deeply divided create so much uncertainty for us all. Thank goodness for Texas! In Texas, we have electoral certainty. We have a Governor and Lt. Governor that will not face election for another two years. They are already organized…
This Veteran’s Day, the Avon Old Farms School community honored a fallen brother by organizing an all-school 5K in cooperation with APK Charities Corporation—a non-profit founded to honor and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Avonian Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, US Army Special Forces. Decorated soldier Pedersen-Keel ’02 was a proud member of the Avon…
I’d like to say – “oh what a night”. But now it has turned into “ oh what a week!” Everyone in America is just waiting for a true election night, that may take more time that anyone wanted….. That being said, the State of Texas certainly has some Definity. What a relief! As far…
pinkgranitetx Congrats to Pink Granite alum Lara Keel for launching her own lobbying firm! If you haven’t read her interview from 2018 check it out at PinkGranite.org #txlege #pinkgranite #lobbyist #texaspolitics
Lara Keel is branching out to launch her own lobby practice, LLK LLC. “Lara has been a valued friend and partner for many years, and I’m proud of her decision to strike out and build her own practice. We both look forward to our continued partnership in this new capacity for many years to come.”…
