/tags/2021-special-sessions 2021 Special Sessions en-US Copyright KUT News 2025 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:24:17 GMT /politics/2021-10-04/texas-lawmakers-are-debating-a-bill-that-would-allow-partisan-actors-to-request-election-audits The bill, filed by Houston Republican Paul Bettencourt, would allow county party leaders, candidates and political committees to seek an audit. Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:24:17 GMT /politics/2021-10-04/texas-lawmakers-are-debating-a-bill-that-would-allow-partisan-actors-to-request-election-audits Andrew Schneider, Paul DeBenedetto /politics/2021-09-22/cracking-packing-apportionment-heres-a-glossary-of-terms-to-help-you-understand-redistricting The Texas Legislature is focused on the always-controversial � and extremely complicated � process of redrawing the state’s voting maps. This glossary should help better equip you to follow the political battle ahead. Wed, 22 Sep 2021 13:06:25 GMT /politics/2021-09-22/cracking-packing-apportionment-heres-a-glossary-of-terms-to-help-you-understand-redistricting Haya Panjwani /education/2021-09-08/abbott-wanted-state-lawmakers-to-ban-mask-mandates-in-public-schools-they-didnt As Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to punish any school district that defied Abbott’s ban on mask mandates, Republican legislators were largely indifferent on the matter. Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:39:24 GMT /education/2021-09-08/abbott-wanted-state-lawmakers-to-ban-mask-mandates-in-public-schools-they-didnt Joshua Fechter | The Texas Tribune /politics/2021-09-07/abbott-calls-special-legislative-session-for-redistricting-other-conservative-priorities-starting-sept-20 On top of redistricting, Abbott wants lawmakers to take up bills on restrictions for transgender student athletes and the allocation of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Tue, 07 Sep 2021 23:24:27 GMT /politics/2021-09-07/abbott-calls-special-legislative-session-for-redistricting-other-conservative-priorities-starting-sept-20 James Barragán /politics/2021-09-07/texas-second-special-session-this-year-is-over-here-are-five-things-you-need-to-know Lawmakers will return to Austin at least one more time this year to redraw the state's political maps. Only Gov. Greg Abbott knows when that will be and if there will be additional special sessions beyond that. Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:06:33 GMT /politics/2021-09-07/texas-second-special-session-this-year-is-over-here-are-five-things-you-need-to-know James Barragán | The Texas Tribune /politics/2021-09-06/abortion-ban-permitless-carry-elections-bill-the-week-that-solidified-texas-hard-right-turn-after-the-2020-election Texas� new near-total abortion ban, one of the most restrictive in the nation, punctuated a week that brought into stunning relief just how far the state’s political pendulum has swung to the right since the 2020 election. Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:17:05 GMT /politics/2021-09-06/abortion-ban-permitless-carry-elections-bill-the-week-that-solidified-texas-hard-right-turn-after-the-2020-election Patrick Svitek and James Barragán | The Texas Tribune /politics/2021-09-03/texas-legislature-adjourns-second-special-session-after-passing-more-of-gov-greg-abbotts-priorities The Legislature is expected to return soon for another special session focused on redrawing the state's political maps. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:27:02 GMT /politics/2021-09-03/texas-legislature-adjourns-second-special-session-after-passing-more-of-gov-greg-abbotts-priorities Cassandra Pollock | The Texas Tribune /education/2021-09-02/virtual-learning-funding-bill-heads-to-abbotts-desk-but-could-leave-out-many-students-of-color The bill would pay for virtual learning until September 2023, but won't fund it for students who have failed their STAAR exams. Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:24:18 GMT /education/2021-09-02/virtual-learning-funding-bill-heads-to-abbotts-desk-but-could-leave-out-many-students-of-color Brian Lopez | The Texas Tribune /politics/2021-09-02/texas-senate-passes-bill-that-would-punish-social-media-companies-for-alleged-political-censorship House Bill 20’s primary Senate sponsor argued that social media platforms are the modern equivalent of “common carriers� and should be treated as such in terms of protecting freedom of speech. Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:27:41 GMT /politics/2021-09-02/texas-senate-passes-bill-that-would-punish-social-media-companies-for-alleged-political-censorship Andrew Schneider /politics/2021-09-01/democrats-sue-texas-in-attempt-to-get-federal-courts-to-redraw-legislative-districts-before-2022 Texas Democrats argue their constituents' power would be diluted under current maps. They're asking a federal court to temporarily redraw maps for 2022. Wed, 01 Sep 2021 19:53:22 GMT /politics/2021-09-01/democrats-sue-texas-in-attempt-to-get-federal-courts-to-redraw-legislative-districts-before-2022 Andrew Weber