Dan Patrick

The Democrat filed a police complaint against the Republican incumbent, saying state law bans deceptive video so close to the election. Patrick's camp said they were obvious parodies.

A debate over books in Texas' public school libraries picked up new attention last week, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action unless Texas school districts pull books from the shelves that he and certain activists believe are "harmful" to students and families and violate Texas' Senate Bill 13. In a meeting of Lubbock ISD's board of trustees, the district stood by the parent-led library council and book review system established under state law.

Former Alamo Trust CEO Kate Rogers said her First Amendment rights were violated after state officials pressured her to resign over views expressed in her doctoral dissertation.

"We're coming for the books," the lieutenant governor said in announcing plans to lower the performance rating of Texas schools that violate a recent law targeting obscene titles in school libraries.

The state's power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott's directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.

A plan to build a network of 765 kV transmission lines to bolster the state's power grid has come under intense opposition from landowners in its path and others.

The lieutenant governor released seven new charges for state senators to study before the Legislature reconvenes, including ways to “inform and remind Texans of their religious liberty rights.”

The state’s higher education agency recommends Texas lawmakers revamp funding for public universities that rewards schools for student success.

A GOP leader, Patrick has been a staunch advocate for conservative Christian values in his role presiding over the Texas Senate.

The battle for the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, is underway. Incumbent Commissioner Jim Wright is running for a second second term against Bo French, former chair of the Tarrant County GOP.