Refusing to go any further to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans, House Speaker Joe Straus said on Friday that the House will not appoint members to negotiate with the Senate on its proposed compromise on a "bathroom bill."
Tim Cook is one of 14 CEOs of major tech companies to sign an open letter calling on Texas not to pass the so-called 'bathroom bill.' The bill would require school students to use the restroom matching the gender on their birth certificate even if they now identify as the opposite gender.
Texas' legislative session was winding down Sunday, with an all but dead "bathroom bill" targeting transgender people caught in a clash between mainstream Republicans and the most conservative wing of the party that dominates politics in the nation's second-largest state. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, referenced the bathroom bill's 80 co-authors and asked the speaker if he considered that to represent the "will of the House".
"Let's pray the other side passes this", Patrick told senators after the chamber unanimously adopted the bill.
The Texas Senate could move to reconsider its rejection and revive the House language.
A Democrat hasn't won statewide office since 1994 in Texas, the longest political losing streak in the nation, and the state so relishes small government that its Legislature only convenes every other year. The instant letter urges Texas' legislature not to pursue legislation of this kind, but a similar letter to North Carolina's Governor previous year, again issued by tech giants, did little to stop the bill there.
Democrats decry Trump's expected withdrawal from Paris climate pact
The next day, 20 GOP members of Congress sent Trump their own letter, asking him to withdraw from the agreement. The Paris deal was never approved by the Senate, so no congressional approval is needed to exit the agreement.
Gov. Greg Abbott has visited a gun range to sign a law reducing Texas' fees for licenses to carry handguns to the lowest in the nation.
The breakdown comes just three days before the Texas Legislature is set to adjourn until 2019.
The sponsors want to teach students what's expected of them when interacting with police. In his last public comments on the issue - on Friday morning - the governor seemed optimistic, telling reporters progress had been made because conference committees had been appointed regarding the two big remaining issues: property tax reform and bathroom legislation.
While Patrick is holding onto a significant bargaining chip, only Gov. Greg Abbott can call a special session.
"That's why the courts are there", Republican state Sen.
Community Impact Newspaper and The Texas Tribune have established a partnership to share essential updates during the 85th legislative session.
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