The Latest Breaking News from Dan Patrick

Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome.

Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.

Detractors say the bills would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks

AUSTIN, Texas — In eight years as arguably the most conservative “Big Two” in Texas history, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have achieved an uneasy peace. The two Republican leaders rarely clash in public and they’ve increasingly avoided conflict by doubling down on the unique — and…

It’s far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. It’s also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend.

AUSTIN, Texas — After ushering in a near-total abortion ban last year, the state’s GOP leaders are treading carefully on the eve of the upcoming legislative session and not openly saying how they will handle the hot-button issue.

Republicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows.

The legislation closely mirrors a Florida bill passed last year, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which detractors say would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks.

States “have a strong interest” in protecting parent rights, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued in a brief filed last month in support of Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law.

The move to take news reporters off the Senate floor was implemented in 2021 as a COVID-19 precaution, but an official said Friday the measure would continue in the upcoming session.

There are 64 Democrats in the 150-member House, one fewer than before the election. There is also one fewer Democrat in the Senate.