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News from 2021
Texas Public Policy Foundation calls state House approval of election changes 'good first step'
By W.J. Kennedy | May 11, 2021
Election legislation approved by the Texas House late last week contained many of the changes sought by critics of what they view as loose voting procedures rushed into place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, they argue, the measures are still missing some critical provisions needed to re-instill public confidence in the voting process.
'Our electricity market isn't set up to value reliability': Policymakers criticize Texas energy grid unreliability
By Brenna Dugan | May 11, 2021
Texas policymakers call for reliability over renewability in Texas energy grid.
Abbott 'proud to welcome' NRG Energy headquarters to Houston
By Christina Heath | May 11, 2021
NRG Energy has announced its plan to move the company's corporate headquarters to Houston from New Jersey, Click 2 Houston reports.
Crenshaw makes first appearance post-emergency eye surgery, hopeful to 'return to some sense of normalcy'
By Trina Thomas | May 11, 2021
After emergency surgery for a detached retina, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) provided an update on his sight and recovery.
Energy Alliance analyst sees danger in Texas following 'capacity market' model of California, New York
By Karen Kidd | May 10, 2021
Switching from Texas' current electricity market structure to a "capacity market" will make electricity bills in the state go up but not make the grid, which teetered almost to a halt in February, more reliable, according to a recent report.
Texas House approves bill to ban homeless encampments, protect cities from 'violent or hazardous activity'
By Andy Nghiem | May 10, 2021
The Texas House of Representatives has approved legislation to ban homeless encampments in unapproved public spaces across the state.
'Texas is committed to eradicating human trafficking': House passes bill to raise minimum age of sex workers
By Andy Nghiem | May 10, 2021
To help combat human trafficking, the Texas House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to raise the minimum age of workers employed at sexually oriented businesses.
'We will never forget': Veasey joins fellow members of Congress in looking into Spc. Vanessa Guillén’s death
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 10, 2021
As revelations emerge that U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén made multiple reports of sexual harassment by her supervisor prior to being killed by a different soldier, members of Congress visited Fort Hood, where both soldiers were stationed, as part of ongoing investigations.
'Tim Tebow Bill' to give Texas home-school students equal access to public school extracurriculars on House floor for debate
By Karen Kidd | May 10, 2021
Legislation proposing that home-schooled children in Texas receive the same opportunities for extracurricular activities as public school students is currently on the State House floor today, indicating progress toward passage.
'This one is historic': Permitless carry bill headed to Abbott’s desk
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 10, 2021
The Texas Senate recently passed a bill that provides for “constitutional carry,” which supporters say removes requirements that individuals be licensed with the state in order to exercise rights related to gun ownership and the U.S. Constitution.
Turner, city council approve digital kiosks – 'We want the best for Houston'
By April Bamburg | May 7, 2021
Houston residents and visitors will soon see interactive digital kiosks in areas that see an abundance of pedestrian activity.
HAPS' Blues, Brews and Barbecue event comes back to 'raise funds for programs dedicated to those affected by Parkinson's disease'
By April Bamburg | May 6, 2021
The Houston Area Parkinson Society’s Blues, Brews and Barbecue event is coming back on Sunday, May 23.
Gonzalez 'honored and humbled' to be named president of Lone Star College Kingwood
By April Bamburg | May 6, 2021
Melissa N. Gonzalez, Ph.D., has been named president of the Lone Star College Kingwood campus, in which she will step into that role on Tuesday, June 1.
Hegar: Texas' 'economic recovery is accelerating' and shows surplus
By Christina Heath | May 6, 2021
Texas' current budget cycle will end on an economic high with a surplus of $725 million in general revenue.
Carnival Cruise Line President Duffy 'impressed with' Port of Galveston as Carnival Cruises return to port
By Christina Heath | May 6, 2021
The Federal Maritime Commission with the Port of Galveston hosted a rally focused on emphasizing the importance of the Port of Galveston as the fourth most popular cruise homeport located in the United States.
'Texas has highest percentage of uninsured citizens': Health care expansion fails at state level
By Christina Heath | May 4, 2021
A resolution for the Texas Legislature to expand health care access statewide passed unanimously in the Harris County Commissioners Court, but later failed in the Texas House.
Babin: 'Border is in worse shape than it ever has been'
By T.H. Lawrence | May 4, 2021
Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) said the U.S.-Mexico border crisis is getting worse, and that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are not helping.
Shortage of skilled workers hampers busy builders, plumbers 'in short supply'
By T.H. Lawrence | May 3, 2021
Michael Dishberger said the shortage of skilled workers to finish new homes isn’t a novel problem but is has become a critical one in the current environment.
Veteran builder: Lumber price increase ‘astronomical’
By T.H. Lawrence | May 3, 2021
Michael Dishberger uses one word to describe the increase in the cost of lumber.
Bill to end non-jailable offense arrests would 'save lives and freedom,' Reynolds says
By Karen Kidd | May 3, 2021
A co-author of bipartisan bill that would ban arrests on non-jailable offenses, which passed the Texas House last week and is headed into the Senate, is urging his fellow lawmakers to support the legislation for the sake of justice in the state.