| House Democrats Deny Quorum |
A majority of Democrats in the Texas House left for Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon in a bid to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass a voting regulation bill with 26 days left in the special legislative session. The legislators present voted Tuesday to send law enforcement to track down Democrats who left the state a day earlier in protest of Republicans’ priority elections bill “under warrant of arrest if necessary.”
Rep. Tan Parker Running for Senate
Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) announced a bid for Senate last week, becoming the first candidate seeking to replace outgoing North Texas Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). Parker was elected to the Texas House in 2006. During his time in the Legislature, Parker chaired the House Republican caucus and mounted an unsuccessful bid for House Speaker in 2018. The businessman is currently vice-chair of the chamber’s Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee.
Texas Senate Works Overtime
The special session began last week, but Lt. Governor Dan Patrick indicated the Senate was prepared to move quickly through the 11 agenda items issued by Governor Abbott for legislators to discuss during the special session. Patrick called in the Senate to hold hearings over the weekend, starting with voting legislation. Among issues in Gov. Abbott’s agenda were election integrity, border security, and bail reform. The full list of agenda items is here.
Only in Austin…
The immersive art experience everyone has been waiting for is now open! You can experience “Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience” at the Circuit of the Americas through August 8. This exhibit uses advanced projection technology to create an approximately one-hour-long experience that transports you to a world of wonder as you explore Van Gogh’s own life, dreams, thoughts, and paintings.