Texas lawmakers abolish STAAR test, fail to pass property tax relief in 2nd special session
One of the big issues during the second special session centered around the state's response to the deadly Central Texas flooding.
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One of the big issues during the second special session centered around the state's response to the deadly Central Texas flooding.
The Texas House has approved House Bill 8 on Wednesday night, paving the way to eliminate the STAAR exam and replace it with three shorter assessments starting in the 2027-28 school year.
"I believe that character does still matter, and I believe I've demonstrated I could be trusted," Cornyn said.
Republicans favored the measure because they say Democrats shouldn't be rewarded for leaving the state and avoiding the House session.
Cornyn and Paxton have repeatedly taken shots at each other over social media ahead of the March GOP primary.
Garcia and other Democrats are fighting back in court to prevent the new Congressional maps that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law from being implemented.
Records show SB6 was referred to the House Public Health Committee on Aug. 20 during the special session, where it has sat without a hearing.
Congressman Marc Veasey recounted that a previous fight over redistricting delayed the Texas primary in 2012 from early March to late May.
They accuse Texas legislative leaders of engaging in gerrymandering to prevent Black voters from electing candidates of their choice.
House Democrats who broke quorum are facing thousands of dollars in fines.
The vote will take place after Democrats returned to the House Monday, which established a quorum for the first time in two weeks.
House leaders mandated police escorts for Democrats to guarantee they return for Wednesday's session.
Speaker Dustin Burrows said House members must be at the Capitol at noon, Monday, Aug. 18.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tells CBS News Texas there have been discussions about trying to add as many as three GOP congressional seats in addition to the five already being sought.
The Texas House failed to meet quorum for the third time on Friday, as a political showdown continues to play out between Texas Republicans and Democrats over redistricting mid-decade.
The Texas redistricting battle is intensifying as House Democrats flee the state to block a Republican-drawn map that could flip five congressional seats. The Texas House once again failed to reach quorum on Friday, and a flurry of lawsuits has been filed.
CBS Texas Eye on Politics reporter Jack Fink talks with state Rep. Katrina Pierson, R-Rockwall, as the Texas quorum standoff stretches into a third day Wednesday, as Democrats continue to boycott the House to block a redistricting vote.
In Kerr County, officials question the response to deadly flooding. Feedback on redistricting across the state has been overwhelmingly against the proposal.
Hutchison discusses the deadly flooding in Central Texas and foreign policy issues, including Iran, Russia's war with Ukraine and tariffs.
The Texas Democratic Party Chair discusses Blue Texas, and the party's new attempt to make gains in Texas in 2026.
Lawmakers held hearings in Austin on some of the highest-profile items on the agenda, including flood response, redistricting and regulating THC.
Austin state Representative James Talarico headlined a rally in Plano. The event is part of a statewide organizing tour as Democrats look to seize on any momentum during the Legislature's special session and the 2026 midterm elections.
Top state officials are testifying that communication needs to improve between the state and local officials, between first responders, and with the large number of volunteers on the ground.
With an ambitious agenda before them, Texas lawmakers kicked off the first of what could be several special sessions.
The agenda includes 18 legislative priorities determined by Gov. Greg Abbott, including addressing the Central Texas floods, regulating THC and redistricting.
