AT THE CAPITOL
House Bill 1024, signed into law May 12, allows restaurants and bars to permanently sell alcoholic beverages to-go. (Courtesy Pexels)
Cocktails to-go are here to stay in Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott signs change into law May 12
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the release of $11.2 billion in federal funds to Texas public schools April 28. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Cy-Fair ISD expected to receive at least $189 million in federal funding for COVID-19 recovery
Officials said the district has spent millions on pandemic-related needs. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Cy-Fair ISD: Federal stimulus funds needed to help cover $227M in unexpected pandemic-related expenses
Federal funding is set aside for public schools to address effects of the pandemic. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Why Texas has not yet distributed $18 billion in federal funds intended for public schools
Spearheaded by state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, the new court, if established, would expand the capacity of the county's criminal court system in hopes of reducing its backlog, which stood at 70,951 total cases pending before criminal district courts in Harris County as of April 8. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County supports creation of new criminal district court to tackle case backlog
The Texas Senate passed a bill March 29 aimed at overhauling the state's energy market. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
Texas Senate passes bill mandating changes to state energy market in wake of winter storm
The Klein Fire Department responded to a fire in the 19000 block of Frederick Drive on Feb. 16. (Courtesy Klein Fire Department)
Winter storm sends shivers through Texas power grid
The Spring and Klein area includes the districts of five state representatives and two state senators. (Graphic by Ronald Winters/Community Impact Newspaper)
Flood plains, firearms and more: Here are some bills filed by Spring-Klein lawmakers so far in 87th Texas Legislature
Voters line up to cast ballots in the November 2020 election at Juergen's Hall Community Center in Cypress. (Shawn Arrajj/Community Impact Newspaper)
State lawmakers' plan to reform elections draws rebuke from Harris County leaders, voting rights groups
Lawmakers have returned to the Capitol for the 87th Texas Legislature. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
Proposed curriculum, funding changes: 14 public education bills filed in the 87th Texas Legislature
House Bill 3580 would establish a minimum teacher salary of $70,000 annually and would account for an inflation adjustment and increase. (Ali Linan/Community Impact Newspaper)
Minimum teacher compensation bill filed in Texas Legislature
While not all of the bills announced have been filed as of March 9, according to the Texas Legislature Online, legislators have until March 12 to file bills for consideration in the 2021 session. (Ali Linan/Community Impact Newspaper)
After winter storm, electricity reform dominates House, Senate priorities for 87th Texas Legislature
Snow covers I-45 in Houston during a winter storm that hit Texas the night of Feb. 14. (Shawn Arrajj/Community Impact Newspaper)
Legislators probe energy officials over power failures, lack of preparation heading into winter storm
Widespread power outages affected millions statewide during Winter Storm Uri. (Hannah Zedaker/Community Impact Newspaper)
Here’s how northwest Houston legislators have responded to widespread winter storm power outages
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, speaks at a Feb. 1 press conference to introduce "Caitlynne's Bill," aimed at restricting which felony defendants can receive personal recognizance bonds. (Screenshot courtesy Facebook)
Houston senator files bill to restrict use of personal bonds for some felony defendants
If approved, the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District could take on all future dredging in Lake Houston. (Kelly Schafler/Community Impact Newspaper)
To-be-filed bill could fund dredging in Lake Houston by charging additional surface water fee
After every decennial census, states and local jurisdictions must go through a process known as redistricting: redrawing the boundaries for representation. (Ali Linan/Community Impact Newspaper)
More congressional seats, equal populations: What redistricting means for Texas in 2021
The Texas Legislature will convene Jan. 12. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
Term limits, abolishing county boards of education, stricter abortion measures: Bills filed by North Houston-area legislators
The 87th legislative session will begin Jan. 12, 2021. (Courtesy Fotolia)
COVID-19 pandemic, diversity, cultural awareness among Spring ISD priorities ahead of 87th Texas Legislature