Interim Charges Released

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus released the full list of House interim charges on Monday, and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick released his first wave of Senate interim charges on Monday as well. The Lt. Governor is expected to release the rest of his interim charges later this week. A large number of charges focus on…

Governor Abbott Senior Staff Changes

This week Governor Abbott announced several top-level staff changes. Abbott’s current Chief of Staff, Daniel Hodge, is entering the private sector and will be replaced by Luis Saenz. Mr. Saenz previously worked as Governor Abbott’s Appointments Director and before that worked in Governor Rick Perry’s administration. In his announcement, Governor Abbott praised his outgoing staff…

Governor Abbott Officially Calls Legislators Back for Special Session

The Legislature will be back in session at 10 a.m. on July 18, 2017. Today, Governor Abbott issued the special session proclamation that formally allows legislators to file legislation for consideration during the special session. Although the Governor announced 20 items on the special session call, Governor Abbott has only signed a proclamation for so called “sunset” legislation that extends expiring state…