Texas House advances bill for increased oversight of public universities, potentially affecting academic freedom.

Rep. Ramon Romero of Fort Worth killed a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that would have made it easier to construct homes on smaller lots, which supporters say could have reduced the cost of those residences.

Senate Bill 37 would give more power to university regents, who are appointed by the governor, to vet and veto new curricula and administrators.

The Texas House has passed Senate Bill 8, mandating local sheriffs to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement, amidst concerns about its impact on communities.

Texas Republicans are rolling ahead with a controversial bill that seeks to further restrict abortion access in the state, while making it impossible for it to be challenged in state courts,

The bill also contains a controversial provision that says it cannot be challenged in state court before it is enforced. It goes now to the House for a full vote.

House Republicans secured $12 billion in their reconciliation bill for states that incurred costs over the border crisis during the Biden administration.

The approval in the Texas House on Wednesday puts the GOP-backed proposal on the brink of reaching Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.