Texas Politics & News
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- Opinion
Texas Wins the Second Round on Sanctuary Cities
Texas has just won the second (procedural) round in the fight over the state Legislature’s attempt to punish cities that implement sanctuary policies. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stayed on Monday key portions of the injunction issued in September by a federal judge in San Antonio that prevented the…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Texas to Fight on After Federal Judge’s Sanctuary Ruling
A Texas case, in which a federal judge halted the state’s crackdown on sanctuary cities, could serve as a test case for federal sanctions on such municipalities, an immigration law expert said. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled Wednesday that the part of the Texas law requiring cities to assist federal immigration officials was unconstitutional,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
A Biased Judge Tosses a Texas Voter ID Law, Again
Some judges are determined to strike down election integrity laws, no matter what. How else can you explain last week’s irrational decision handed down by federal District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos? A President Barack Obama appointee, Ramos is at least consistent. This was the fifth time she has rejected a voter ID law for…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Hurricane Harvey Is Racing Toward Texas. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Meteorologists have upgraded Hurricane Harvey to a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds and expect that it will grow to a Category 3 hurricane before landfall tonight or tomorrow. If it does continue to strengthen, this will be the most powerful storm in almost 12 years. Hurricane Wilma was the last Category 3 storm,…David Inserra -
- News
Texas Officials Say Human Smuggling Deaths Show Need for Anti-Sanctuary Law
The discovery of nine dead bodies and more than 30 injured people inside a sweltering tractor trailer in San Antonio shows that a tough anti-sanctuary city law is needed more than ever, top Texas officials said Sunday. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote on Facebook that sanctuary cities “entice” people to come to the U.S. illegally and place…Will Racke -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Friction Over Texas Fracking and Russian Fighter Jet Action
Editor’s note: Stories sometimes raise eyebrows not just because of controversial subject matter but because some readers question their actual newsworthiness. Please keep letting us know what you think.—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: The very contamination of water wells by hydraulic fracturing seemingly denied in the first part of Fred Lucas’ story was affirmed in the…Ken McIntyre -
- News
Study Finds Fracking Doesn’t Harm Drinking Water in Texas
Hydraulic fracturing hasn’t contaminated groundwater in Texas, isn’t an earthquake hazard, and has been a boon for the state’s economy, according to a study released Monday. The new study’s conclusions on drinking water are in line with multiple other studies of hydraulic fracturing, popularly known as fracking. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling into…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
This Altercation in Texas Exposes the Heart of Fake News
“Fake news” has become a widespread accusation, but what does it actually mean? Is it something that’s been invented out of whole cloth, like H.G. Wells’ planetary invaders? Different definitions abound, but I submit that fake news, at its core, is reporting in which the journalist selectively chooses and ignores facts, and interprets or paraphrases…Merrie Spaeth -
- News
Bill Protecting Faith-Based Adoption Agencies in Texas on Way to Governor’s Desk
The Texas Senate early Monday passed a bill to allow faith-based adoption and foster care providers to operate based on their religious beliefs. By a final vote of 21-10, state senators agreed with their counterparts in the Texas House of Representatives that society should continue to make room for adoption and foster care services associated…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Takes Steps to Protect Religious Convictions of Adoption, Foster Care Providers
Texas lawmakers are debating a bill that shows how states can protect faith-based adoption and foster care providers from religious discrimination, proponents of the legislation say. The Texas House of Representatives voted 93-49 Wednesday to pass a bill that would make room in a changing society for adoption and foster care providers associated with a…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Files Lawsuit Against Potential Opponents of New Anti-Sanctuary Law
Texas lodged a preemptive lawsuit Monday against local officials considered hostile to the state’s new anti-sanctuary cities law, the first salvo in an expected legal fight over the controversial measure. State Attorney General Ken Paxton said the federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is necessary to protect…Will Racke -
- Opinion
Texas Takes Strong and Needed Action on Sanctuary Cities
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott acted to protect the citizens of Texas on Sunday when he signed into law SB 4, a bill to punish (and deter) local cities and counties like Austin from implementing sanctuary policies. Abbott and the legislators who sponsored this bill are trying to stop the Lone Star State from being a…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Texas Concealed Carry Holder Thwarts Potential Mass Shooting
Police in Texas say a concealed carry holder is a hero for shooting a crazed attacker Wednesday and preventing what could have been a slaughter inside a crowded sports bar. The man, who was dining with his wife at Zona Caliente in Arlington, Texas, sprang into action when he saw a gunman shoot and kill the bar…Will Racke -
- News
Texas House Passes Sanctuary City Ban With Stiff Penalty for Public Officials
The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that places a statewide ban on sanctuary cities and allows state officials to jail police chiefs and sheriffs who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The measure also lets police officers inquire about the immigration status of anyone they detain or arrest, including the subjects…Will Racke -
- News
Texas State Coalition Sends Letter to Trump Voicing Support for the Freedom Caucus
“For seven long years, we have been suffering from the rising costs of Obamacare.” That’s the opening sentence of the letter a Texas grassroots coalition has sent to President Donald Trump this week, in the wake of the House health care bill’s failure to pass and Trump’s criticisms of the House Freedom Caucus, which was…James Rogers -
- News
Texas Bathroom Bill Intended to Be ‘Model for Other States’
The Texas Legislature will be voting next week on a bill that will prevent men from entering women’s restrooms and the lieutenant governor of Texas says his state’s legislation is a model for the nation. “I think that our legislation can be a model for other states to follow and end this discussion once and…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Legislature to Consider Bill to Ensure ‘Public Safety’ in Bathrooms
Texas is taking measures to protect its citizens from laws that hinder “common sense and public safety” when it comes to transgender persons being allowed to use both men’s and women’s restrooms. “This is a public safety issue,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, said during a conference call with reporters Friday. Legislation filed…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Governor Deprives Sanctuary County of $1.5 Million Grant
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cut off state funds to a county that provides sanctuary to illegal immigrants Wednesday, following through on an earlier pledge to punish such sanctuary cities and localities. Travis County will no longer have access to $1.8 million in state criminal justice grants, Abbott announced in a letter to county officials, because of…Rachel Stoltzfoos -
- News
Texas Governor Pledges to Sign Anti-Sanctuary City Bill
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he expects the Legislature to pass an anti-sanctuary city bill this year, opening a new front in the battle over “local control.” Weighing in on the intensifying national immigration debate, the Republican governor pledged to sign S.B. 4, which would require municipalities to enforce migrant detainers at local jails and withhold state…Kenric Ward -
- News
Texas Looks to Bury Aborted Babies Despite Legal Objections From Abortion Groups
A new set of rules in Texas requiring aborted babies to be cremated or buried has prompted a legal battle in the Lone Star State. Pro-abortion groups are attempting to halt the law with a lawsuit, and its implementation has now been delayed by a court order. The abortion burial measure, which would also apply…Leah Jessen