Nina Banks

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Blaise Gainey |Nina Banks

State lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate considered several bills Monday that would loosen regulations around firearms in Texas. A panel of House lawmakers heard testimony on more than a dozen proposals addressing everything from expanding where Texans could lawfully carry handguns to returning the right of gun ownership to individuals convicted of serious felonies.

2 months ago | texasstandard.org | Nina Banks

Like McConaughey himself did earlier this week, Quaid has also testified before lawmakers in favor of state-backed film incentive programs. “I’d love to be able to work here, live here and see crew members who are able to do the same,” Quiad said to members of the Texas Senate Finance Committee last fall. “And really create something big here because that’s what Texas is — it’s big.”This legislative session, it looks like lawmakers are listening. Sen.

2 months ago | kut.org | Nina Banks

After 33 years in the film industry, Matthew McConaughey told a panel of Texas lawmakers on Monday that one of his only regrets is not making more films in his home state. The actor and Austinite testified before the Texas Senate Finance Committee in favor of Senate Bill 22, which would inject $500 million into a film incentive fund every two years until 2035. The bill, authored by Sen.

2 months ago | kut.org | Nina Banks

A bill that would ban the sale of THC products has passed the Texas Senate. Senate Bill 3, a priority item for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was approved in a 24-7 vote Wednesday afternoon, less than a week after unanimously passing out of the Senate State Affairs Committee. Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) authored the bill and said he is primarily concerned about synthetic THC products on the market. On the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, Sen.

2 months ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Blaise Gainey |Nina Banks

In a standing-room-only hearing Tuesday full of emotional testimony, the Texas House Committee on Public Education discussed the chamber's Education Savings Account bill. If passed, the legislation would create a voucher-like plan where parents could use state tax dollars toward sending their kids to private schools. Passing the program has been a priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and other top Texas Republicans since the Legislature last met in 2023.