| 7 Days Left in the Third Special Legislative Session |
Gov. Abbott Bans Vaccine Mandates
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued another executive order cracking down on COVID-19 vaccine mandates — this time banning any entity in Texas, including private businesses, from requiring vaccinations for employees or customers.
Any entity that fails to comply with Abbott’s rule could receive up to a $1,000 fine.
Abbott also called on the Legislature to pass a law with the same effect, promising to rescind the executive order once that happened. The Legislature is in this year’s third special legislative session, which ends Oct. 19.
Two bills, SB 51 by Sen. Hughes (R-Mineola) and HB 155 by Rep. Oliverson (R-Cypress) have moved quickly after being filed and are scheduled for public hearings in the Senate and House chambers this week.
Comptroller Announces Key Changes to Executive Leadership Team
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today several key changes to his executive leadership team. Effective Nov. 1, Tom Currah will assume the role of Associate Deputy Comptroller (ADC) for Fiscal Matters, Korry Castillo will take over as ADC for Agency Operations and Phillip Ashley, who currently serves as ADC for Fiscal Matters, will shift focus to become ADC for Tax.
The changes come as long-serving ADCs Karey Barton and Robert Wood plan to leave the Comptroller’s office to pursue new opportunities.
Gov. Abbott Announces Special Election
Gov. Greg Abbott announced November 2 as the date of the special election runoff to replace former state Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio).
This election will fill the last vacant seat in the 150-member House chamber after Rep. Brian Harrison won the special election for HD 10 and was sworn in on Tuesday.
The runoff for the Democratic-leaning seat in House District 118 features Democrat Frank Ramirez and Republican John Lujan. Ramirez is a former staffer for the San Antonio City Council, while Lujan briefly held House the seat in 2016.
Lujan finished first in the initial special election late last month, getting 42% of the vote to 20% for Ramirez. There were two other Democrats on the ballot and one other Republican.
Only in Austin…
The special session will be over soon they said…
With 7 days left, the clock is ticking on the current third special session. Lawmakers were tasked to address the following issues. Here’s where they stand:
- Redistricting
- House maps were passed by the full House in the early hours of Wednesay and still need to be debated and voted on by the Senate.
- Senate maps have been passed by the Senate and are waiting to be debated by the House chamber.
- State Board of Education Maps have been passed by the Senate and are waiting to be debated by the House chamber.
- Congressional maps have been passed by the Senate and are scheduled for a public hearing in the House on Wednesday.
- Allocation of Federal Funds
- Has received approval by the Senate and voted on favorably by a House committee, and now waiting to be debated by the full House chamber.
- Prohibiting Transgender Student-Athletes in Public School Sports
- Has been voted favorably by a House committee and has not been debated by the full House chamber. Still needs to be considered by the full Senate.
- Banning Vaccine Mandates by Local Governments
- Two bills in their respective chambers have been filed and are scheduled for public hearings this week.
- Legislation relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog
- Has received approval by the full Senate and voted on favorably by a House committee, and now waiting to be debated by the full House chamber.
- Property Tax Relief for Texans
- Has received approval by the full Senate and voted on favorably by a House committee, and now waiting to be debated by the full House chamber.
- Includes $3 billion in property tax relief for homestead owners.
- Legislation proposing a constitutional amendment to further protect the safety of the community, law enforcement, and victims, from accused criminals who may be released on bail
- Has received approval by the full Senate and voted on favorably by a House committee, and now waiting to be debated by the full House chamber.
- Increasing Penalties for Illegal Voting
- Has received a hearing in a Senate committee, but faces uphill climb in the House after House Speaker signaled it would not consider legislation relating to this issue.
- Banning Vaccine Mandates by Any Entity
- (Similar to a previous item on the agenda). Two bills in their respective chambers have been filed and are scheduled for public hearings this week.