Latest news with #StateHouseofRepresentatives
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Paxton Calls For New Law To Protect Texas Elections From Local Corruption
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called for the State House of Representatives to pass legislation that would allow him to prosecute voter fraud when local officials refuse to do so. Paxton cited a 2021 decision by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn a law that allowed the attorney general to unilaterally prosecute election cases, instead ruling that a district or county attorney must invite him to work on the case. The attorney general has taken a strong stance against this decision while calling for the legislature, with his office writing in a news release that it 'opened the door for abuse throughout the state.' Paxton also released a statement, writing that 'the system is broken' if the attorney general is not permitted to prosecute voter fraud when local district and county attorneys choose not to. 'We're talking about one of the most fundamental rights we have as Americans—the right to vote. This legislation gives Texas the legal tools to protect the ballot box,' he added. 'Secure elections are the foundation of our system of government, but if a rogue district or county attorney ignores clear evidence of voter fraud, there's nothing we can do about it.' This news release continued by pointing out the issues preventing Paxton from prosecuting voter fraud, noting that one corrupt official could allow voter fraud to persist within a county. Additionally, Paxton noted how local officials could be involved in deep schemes to plan voter fraud, noting that attorney general resources could be required to truly uncover the full depth of the alleged crimes. 'Concurring with the Senate Substitute for HB 5138 is the best opportunity to provide meaningful reform so that Texans can have full confidence in the integrity of their elections,' concluded the release. This information from Paxton's office comes as the Lone Star State continues to evaluate ways to improve voter integrity, including the potential for allowing only U.S. citizens to vote in state elections, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. These concerts have also spilled into Dallas within recent months, with Former Texas House of Representatives candidate Barry Wernick filing a complaint against the Dallas County Elections Department. Wenrick alleged that Dallas County's 'sample ballots' were not actually samples but the real ballots being used in the election, which included both candidate names and Dallas Elections Administrator Heider Garcia's signature, as reported by DX.
UPI
24-05-2025
- Business
- UPI
Texas lawmakers approve full THC ban
Hemp derived THC products may become illegal in Texas, if a ban passed by the State House of Representatives is signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Photo by lovingimages/ Pixabay May 24 (UPI) -- All non-medical products containing THC in any form soon could be outlawed in Texas after state lawmakers approved a full ban on Wednesday. The Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday night voted 95-44 to approve Senate Bill 3, which bans the sale of all non-medical THC products in the state, CBS News reported. Recreational cannabis is not legal in Texas, but medical marijuana is legal. So are hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% THC content. Non-medical and hemp-derived products that contain any amount of THC would be banned if Gov. Greg Abbott signs the measure into law. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, bans the sale of Delta 8, Delta 9 and other forms of THC products, including beverages. The bill also bans the retail sale of any cannabinoid, except for CBD and CBG products. Such products were made legal with the passage of the federal Farm Bill of 2018 and at the state level a year later by Texas lawmakers. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, on Monday said he would halt progress on a state budget bill if the House did not approve S.B. 3, which was a companion measure to the budget. "It's being sold to school children all across Texas," Patrick said in a video posted on Facebook. "This is poisonous THC [with] no regulation whatsoever," he added. Patrick said many of the products sold are more potent than marijuana that is sold by street dealers. In the video, he shows a map of more than 8,000 smoke and vape shops that opened in Texas over the past three years. Patrick said most are located within 2,000 feet of schools, and the industry generates $8 billion in annual revenues. The video includes footage of Perry during Senate floor debate saying the owners of smoke and vape shops "targeted walking distance of every school they could." The video also shows Sen. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, during floor debate, citing a 495% increase in calls for THC overdoses by children aged 5 and under between 2017 and 2022, as reported by the Texas Poison Control network. Those opposing the THC ban say it could cause economic and medicinal harm. The proposed THC ban would harm local businesses, farmers and "tens of thousands of hardworking Texans ... who rely on hemp-derived cannabinoids for their wellness," officials with the Texas Hemp Business Council said Wednesday in a press release. "Despite overwhelming testimony and clear data demonstrating the safety and economic value of federally legal hemp-derived cannabinoids, lawmakers have chosen a path that eliminates an entire sector of our economy," the business council said. The industry generates $4.3 billion in retail sales, supports 53,300 state jobs and contributes $268 million in tax revenue, according to the council. "Texas already has strong hemp regulations," the council said. Instead of a ban, the council proposed restricting sales to those who are 21, requiring child-resistant packaging and establishing minimum distances from schools. Abbot has not indicated whether or not he intends to sign S.B. 3 into law.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House budget debate day 1 recap
BOSTON (WWLP) – The State House of Representatives wrapped up their first day of budget negotiation on Monday, working through over a quarter of the bill's amendments, and tacking on $18.4 million in additional spending. Budget debate always begins with tax considerations, and yesterday, tax cuts were shot down by both Democrats and some Republicans. The afternoon was spent in closed-door meetings, before representatives came back to the chamber to pass a mega-amendment, adding $13 million in one unanimous vote. This amendment spans from veteran funding to education to food security. After a dinner break, they passed a second mega-amendment with healthcare and independence and aging appropriations, adding $5 million, before breaking for the evening around 8:30. Longmeadow Representative Brian Ashe says he is happy with how negotiations have gone so far, and explained one of the challenges with creating a balanced budget. 'There are so many legitimate and important requests, but there's only so much money, and there's always the uncertainty of the federal government, whether they are going to pull any of that funding back,' said Ashe. One state representative told 22News that these House negotiations could go into the night, and could potentially be wrapped up before tomorrow. Once the House wraps up, the Senate will create its draft, and the two branches will reconcile their differences before sending a final draft to Healey for her consideration at the beginning of July. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mary Zoghby, former Alabama State House rep who served Mobile, dies at 86
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Former Alabama State House of Representatives member Mary Zoghby died on Saturday, April 12, according to Ascension Funeral Home. She was 86. 'We would like to be clear…': Baldwin County restaurants react to study on locally sourced shrimp According to the funeral home, Zoghby died Saturday afternoon after a brief illness. Nieces and nephews survive her, has learned. Zoghby worked in the Alabama House as a Democrat from 1978 through 1994 as the District 105 representative, serving Mobile. She was the driving force — as chief sponsor in 1985 — of legislation that moved Mobile to a mayor-council form of government rather than an at-large three-commissioner system of city government. This move also required Mobile's budget to be balanced, and the mayor was given line-item veto authority. 19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report A visitation will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 217 South Sage Ave. in Mobile. A burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery, according to Ascension Funeral Home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Rep. Gene Ward passes away at 82
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Just a few weeks after sharing his retirement from the Hawaii State House of Representatives, state leaders announced the passing of former Rep. Gene Ward. State officials said Ward, who serviced Portlock, Hawaii Kai and Kalama Valley, passed peacefully on Friday, April 4 at the age of 82. Rep. Gene Ward retires from Hawaii State House of Representatives Rep. Ward retired from the State House of Representatives on March 31, citing ongoing health setbacks including anemia, sciatica and pneumonia. Rep. Diamond Garcia, (R) Portions of Varona Village, ʻEwa and Kapolei, Fernandez Village, described Rep. Ward as a mentor, servant-leader and pillar of integrity in Hawaii politics. 'His lifelong commitment to serving the people of Hawai'i—whether in the Legislature, the Peace Corps, or as a diplomat—has left a legacy that will long outlive his time with us,' Rep. Garcia was known for his deep love of Native Hawaiian people and had a passion of protecting their culture, rights and future. Officials emphasized that Rep. Ward lived a life full of purpose and love with a legacy that will live on forever. On this Aloha Friday, my father, Gene, peacefully passed away in the early morning. On behalfof my mother and I, we want to thank the community for the abundance of prayers and kindthoughts. My father did what he loved most, serving others, until the end. We will miss him, buthe will live forever in our hearts. Faredah and Johanna Ward Governor Josh Green M.D. has ordered the Hawaii state flag to be flown at half-staff at the state capitol and other state agencies from Friday, April 4 to sunset on Monday, April 7. In a statement, Gov. Green said Ward's passing is a 'profound loss for Hawaii,' describing him as a fighter in every sense, overcoming personal challenges with resilience and determination. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'Let us honor Representative Gene Ward by continuing the work he began: serving with compassion, leading with courage and always putting the people of Hawaii first.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
