Eye on Politics: State lawmakers likely to be called back for fourth special session

NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — A fourth special session is taking a look extra likely now that it is turn into transparent Gov. Greg Abbott’s taxpayer-financed schooling financial savings accounts for scholars to attend non-public faculty may not move all through the 1/3 special session. Longtime Congresswoman Kay Granger of Fort Worth has introduced she may not run for reelection subsequent yr. Plus, Jack Fink speaks one-on-one with Democratic Congressman Colin Allred about his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.  

 Jack covers those tales and extra on this week’s version of Eye on Politics (authentic air date: Nov. 2). 

Every week, CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink breaks down probably the most largest political tales grabbing headlines in North Texas and past. Watch the newest episode of Eye on Politics within the video participant above and circulate new episodes reside each Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. on CBS News Texas.

Gov. Abbott likely to name fourth special session

Gov. Greg Abbott will likely name Texas lawmakers back for a fourth special session. This week it turned into obvious that his push for faculty selection, or faculty voucher, regulation may not move within the House prior to the 1/3 special session ends.

Earlier within the week, there used to be a significant reversal from Abbott, when he agreed to enlarge the special session schedule to come with boosting public faculty investment and instructor raises, in an effort to get his faculty selection program handed within the House. Rural House Republicans have joined Democrats of their opposition to this kind of program.

Wednesday morning, the governor mentioned he did not suppose there would be a necessity for some other special session:

“There is enough time to get everything done that we want to get done,” he mentioned at an financial building match. 

But his remarks stunned some Republican lawmakers, as a result of not one of the faculty selection or investment expenses were thought to be by means of a committee within the House. 

Following Abbott’s remarks, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted a remark on the social media platform X, pronouncing he agreed with Abbott “only if the House subs their suggested language into SB1, school choice, and SB2, teacher pay raises.” He went on to say there is not any time to get started over with a brand new House invoice.

The House stands comfy, which means that House Speaker Dade Phelan can name lawmakers back at any time. No phrase but on when the governor would possibly name a fourth special session.

End of an generation for Congresswoman Kay Granger

After serving greater than 25 years in Congress, Kay Granger introduced this week she may not run for reelection subsequent yr. 

In a remark Wednesday morning, Granger mentioned serving her group has been her biggest honor, and that she’s inspired by means of the following era of leaders in her district:

“It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative of the people.”         

Granger served as a large number of firsts: first lady to turn into Fort Worth mayor when she used to be elected in 1991; first Republican lady to be elected in Texas, which happened in 1996, and the primary lady within the GOP to turn into chair of the tough House Appropriations Committee, which came about closing yr. 

Watch the video underneath to be told extra about doable applicants to be triumphant her:          

One-on-one with Rep. Colin Allred

This week, Jack spoke with Democratic Congressman Colin Allred from North Texas, who is hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. 

Along with questions on why he is operating for Senate, Jack requested Allred concerning the Israel-Hamas War and securing the southern border.

Watch the whole interview underneath: 

Other political headlines

• The Texas Senate handed a invoice prohibiting non-public employers from mandating employees get vaccinated towards COVID-19 this week. Once it turns into regulation, corporations who violate SB7 may be fined up to $50,000. The invoice now heads to the governor’s table.
• A federal pass judgement on has blocked the Biden management from casting off any razor cord put in by means of Texas — a minimum of for now. The movement stops federal brokers from casting off razor cord till a initial injunction listening to is held. 
• We discovered that a world hacker team focused Dallas County in a cyber assault. That team is threatening to post delicate information it claims it stole from the county’s pc machine, except the county will pay a ransom by means of Friday.  
• After years of delays, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will stand trial on state securities fraud fees April 15. Harris County Judge Andrea Beall introduced the court docket date all through a listening to Monday morning. It got here 8 years after Paxton used to be first indicted on the costs by means of a Collin County grand jury. Paxton has pleaded now not responsible to two counts of first-degree securities fraud and a third-degree price of now not registering with the state securities board.   
• Donald Trump used to be in Texas this week. The former president and present presidential candidate used to be in Dallas Wednesday, headlining a fundraiser. On Thursday, he stopped in Houston for a marketing campaign match at an engineering company. According to two fresh polls, he leads the opposite applicants by means of greater than 40 proportion issues.