Texas Legislature

L'Oreal Stepney was brought to tears Thursday during a tense exchange with Rep. Brian Harrison (R, Midlothian) over DEI considerations in the board’s hiring practices.

Among the proposals is a bill that would force more inspections of power lines, which a committee concluded ignited a blaze that burned more than 1 million acres last year.

Sen. Brandon Creighton has filed bills that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies related to hiring and programming, while creating ways for parents to complain about violations to the DEI ban.

The Texas House has filed its school voucher bill. The legislation differs in several ways from what the Senate has already passed. The two chambers would have to hash out their differences before sending any legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott for his approval.

National park advocates say parks and historic sites in West Texas could be harmed by recent federal layoffs and an ongoing federal hiring freeze. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports on a bill that would make it illegal to perform medical research on a corpse without explicit consent from family members. The public is invited to attend Coffee with the Mayor tomorrow. The event will be hosted by Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer and District 6 Councilman Tim Collins at 7 A.M. at the Market Street located at 6313 4th Street.

A measles-positive person from West Texas visited high-traffic areas in San Marcos, San Antonio, and New Braunfels this month, prompting a public health alert in the area. After the Texas House announced their proposal to address both public education spending and the creation of a school-voucher-like program, Texas Public Radio Education Reporter Camille Phillips tells us the bills fall far short of what public education advocates say is needed for schools.

Many of Lubbock's city leaders traveled to the Texas Capitol for "Lubbock Day," to meet with members of the legislature and discuss West Texas issues that they feel should be addressed in Austin. The Texas Newsroom's Nina Banks reports the Texas Senate also passed three bills yesterday aimed at tightening the bail system in Texas.

Families participating in the program could receive about 85% of the amount public schools collect for each attending student from the state and local sources.

Our reporter Olivia O'Rand has an update on announcements from the Lubbock Police Department as it continues to expand technologies, including for communication with the public. Yesterday, the chair of the Texas Senate’s Education Committee filed a bill that could boost teacher salaries by thousands of dollars if passed. KUT's Becky Fogel has more.

The Texas Constitution requires voter approval to authorize gambling in Texas, but the issue has traditionally faced intense opposition from religious groups, various law enforcement advocates and state lawmakers who don’t want to see gaming in the Lone Star State.