Texas governor

Democrats had vowed to prevent the passage of any proposed constitutional amendments to try and force Republicans to amend the controversial school voucher bill. Republicans didn't give in.

Senate Bill 2 would create an education savings account program and has been Abbott's top priority.

The federal Office for Refugee Resettlement recently announced a policy change that limits who can receive grants. Only states — not nonprofits — can access that money beginning in October.

Although an investigation into allegations of child pornography at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is closed, the case has prompted a Tarrant County lawmaker to propose a law outlining the types of artworks that should be barred from museums.

This legislative session, creating Education Savings Accounts — which would let parents use public funds towards private education costs — is a top priority for many Texas Republicans. But the voucher plan has also caused contentious clashes between some rural voters and the lawmakers who represent them.

Abortion is legal in Texas only when the life of the mother or a “major bodily function” is at risk. Doctors, who could face prison time for performing an abortion, have been seeking clarification on the exception.

Gov. Greg Abbott has made water a priority for this legislative session. Lawmakers will debate whether to invest more into new water supplies or repairing old, leaking pipes around Texas.

Senate Bill 10 passed late Wednesday on a party-line vote. Democrats condemned the measure as unconstitutional and a threat to religious liberty.

The bill 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.

Public health experts say Texas needs better messaging on vaccinations and quarantining and more people conducting contact tracing to contain the spread.