Latest news with #TexasCapitol
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas Pushing Through THC Ban—Here's Who's Exempt
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas legislators in both chambers have pushed through a ban on cannabis-derived compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products in the state, which include a range of products including beverages and gummies. Newsweek has reached out to bill's sponsors and an opposition member for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters Marijuana, which is defined by federal law as having more than 0.3 percent THC concentration, is illegal in Texas. However, hemp, which is a type of cannabis plant with a lower content of THC was legalized in the state in 2019. Legalization of recreational marijuana has broad support in the state, according to a January 2025 poll from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. The survey of 1,200 Texas adults found that more than 60 percent of Texan residents support the legalization of marijuana. The poll has a margin or error of plus or minus 2.38 percentage points. What To Know Senate Bill 3, which passed through the Texas legislature this week, bans "products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products." It bans all products with any concentration, including Delta-8 and Delta-9. These "consumable hemp products" include "food, a drug, a device, or a cosmetic." Products may take any form, such as gummies or edibles, as well as lotions and vapes. It also outlines new permit requirements for retailers, distributors, and other participants. Texas Capitol during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Texas Capitol during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. AP Photo/Stephen Spillman People who are found in possession of qualifying products may face fines, while individuals caught distributing could face felony charges and jail time. THC is an $8 billion industry in Texas, and some critics of the bill have warned that this ban will hurt it, instead pushing for safety regulations, age restrictions, and testing requirements instead of a total ban. Only Texas who have been approved for medical marijuana use would be permitted to keep their prescriptions. There has been a recent legislative push to expand the state's limited medical marijuana program, which is being considered in a separate bill. Those who are not formally prescribed THC products, will lose legal access to them if the bill takes effect. What People Are Saying Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said in an X, formerly Twitter, post on May 21: "We cannot in good conscience leave Austin without banning THC, which is harming our children, and destroying Texans' lives and families." Texas Representative James Talarico, a Democrat said on May 22: "Texas Republicans just banned all weed products in the state of Texas — including edibles and Delta 8. The Republican Party once stood for 'liberty' and 'small government.' Now they're the party of control." Texas Hemp Business Council said in a statement: "We are deeply disappointed by the Texas House's passage of [SB3], a bill that dismantles the legal hemp industry and ignores the voices of small businesses, farmers, veterans and consumers across the state who rely on hemp-derived products for their livelihoods and well-being." What Happens Next Texas Governor Greg Abbott has to sign off on the bill in order for it to go into effect, or he could also veto it. As Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has signaled it is one of his top priorities, it is expected to be approved. If it is passed, most of its provisions will take effect on September 1.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills that would increase 'swatting' penalties stalled in Texas House
The Brief The Texas House has two bills in committee that would increase the punishment for false reports of an emergency. A bill that would require the cost of the response to be paid back as restitution was left pending in committee. A second would assess a $250 penalty that would be paid directly to the falsely accused if the false call is rooted in discrimination. AUSTIN, Texas - A pair of bills that would increase the penalties for calling in false reports to get an emergency response, or "swatting," face an uncertain future in the Texas House with less than two months left in the session. Odessa Republican Brooks Landgraf filed House Bill 268 during November's early filing period. The bill would allow a judge to make those convicted of making false reports pay for the costs of an emergency response as restitution. It would also upgrade the charges for making the false report to a state jail felony if the report involves public communications, public transportation or public services like water, gas or power supplies. It would be considered a third-degree felony if the report involved a school. What's next The bill was heard in a public hearing of the criminal jurisprudence committee on March 11. It was not voted on and has been left pending in committee. Houston Democrat Jon Rosenthal introduced a bill that would allow the target of a false report to be paid $250 by the person who called in the false report if report was made based on the person's race, color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. The target of the swatting call would also be allowed to recover attorney's fees and costs. What's next The bill was referred to the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee in February. It has not been read in committee. Big picture view A "swatting" call is when someone alerts law enforcement to false threat made with the intention of harassing a person or group of people while deceiving police and emergency services. Making a false report is usually considered a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to year in jail and a maximum $4,000 fine. Local perspective Frisco police were called to the home of 17-year-old stabbing victim Austin Metcalf's family on Thursday. Police were called for a gunshot at the Metcalf family's home on Thursday. Police say officers responded to the home, but then determined there was no shooting. The Source Information on bills filed at the Texas Capitol comes from the Texas Legislature. Information on the swatting call to the Metcalf family comes from the Frisco Police Department.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Store, harvest, fix: How Texas can save its water supply
This article is part of Running Out, an occasional series about Texas' water crisis. Read more stories about the threats facing Texas' water supply here. Bad news: Texas is running out of water. Good news: There are several solutions local and state leaders can take to make sure we don't. The state's water supply is threatened by a changing climate, rapid population growth, and outdated infrastructure, which loses billions of gallons of water each year. Texas' water demand is growing. By 2070, the state is projected to need an additional 7.7 million acre-feet of water per year to meet the needs of residents, farmers, and industries if strategies are not implemented. The answers to our water crisis range from the traditional (think reservoirs) to the innovative (think desalination). Texas lawmakers are expected to pledge billions of dollars to the state's water supply this spring. However, there is a big debate on which strategies to invest in. Do we invest more into creating new water supplies or repairing old, leaking pipes statewide? [Texas is running out of water. Here's why and what state leaders plan to do about it.] The Texas Water Development Board has recommended more than 2,400 water management strategy projects to increase water supply. The cost to implement those strategies is estimated to be $80 billion (in 2018 dollars) by 2070, not including inflation. No single solution can meet all of Texas' water needs. And it will not be cheap. Water experts say policymakers must invest wisely, ensuring the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions are prioritized. Here's a look at some of the solutions and their pitfalls. Many water experts say that conservation is the first line of defense. Cyrus Reed, a longtime environmental lobbyist at the Texas Capitol and conservation director for the state's Sierra Club, called conservation 'the most conservative and lowest cost approach' to meet our water needs. Conservation means using less water and using it more efficiently. That could look like reducing household and business water consumption through incentives, leak detection, and water-efficient appliances, improving irrigation techniques to minimize water loss, or encouraging industries to recycle water and reduce overall use. [Want to understand Texas' water crisis? Start with the guide to water terms.] One example is in El Paso. Since the 1990s, the city has had a toilet rebate program that has helped residents conserve water and save money on monthly water bills. The program offers a $50 rebate for customers who purchase water-efficient toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush, as opposed to older toilets that use as much as six gallons per flush. So far, they've given 54,000 rebates to their 220,000 customers, which includes homes, businesses and government agencies. 'Conservation is often underutilized due to the need for behavior change and the lack of regulatory enforcement,' said Temple McKinnon, a director of water supply planning at the water board. Each of Texas' 16 regional water plans includes conservation strategies. One of the obvious solutions — at least to water experts — is to fix the state's aging water infrastructure. Leaking pipes and deteriorating treatment plants have led to billions of water being lost. In 2023 alone, 88 billion gallons of water were lost in Texas' most populous cities, according to self-reported water loss audits submitted to the Texas Water Development Board. 'The most efficient water source that we have is the water that we already have,' said John Dupnik, a deputy executive administrator at the Texas Water Development Board. Jennifer Walker, director for the Texas Coast and Water program with the National Wildlife Federation, said that fixing the infrastructure creates new water supplies because it's water that wouldn't be delivered to Texans otherwise. 'Anything that we can do to reduce waste is new water,' Walker said. The Texas section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released their infrastructure report card last month. Texas received a D+ for drinking water, with the report emphasizing the role of aging infrastructure and the need for funding for infrastructure operation and maintenance. One reason why the state's water systems have fallen behind is costs. Most water systems are run by cities or local agencies, which have tried to keep water rates and other local taxes low. This is particularly true in rural Texas communities that have smaller populations and tax bases. Texas 2036 has estimated the state's water agencies need nearly $154 billion by 2050 for water infrastructure. State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, has proposed a bill that could dedicate millions for new water projects. His emphasis is on what water experts call 'new water supplies.' One example is removing salt from seawater or brackish groundwater through a process called desalination, which makes water drinkable. Most communities need to increase their water supply, especially as existing supply may be dwindling or face uncertainty, said Shane Walker, a professor at Texas Tech University who serves as the director of the Water and the Environment Research Center. Desalination is one of the most promising solutions, Walker said. Texas is rich in both seawater along the Gulf Coast, and brackish groundwater, with underground reserves of salty water. He said cities and towns shouldn't wait to tap into desalination until there are no options. 'Start now before you're in a jam,' Walker said. Coastal cities like Corpus Christi are turning to seawater desalination as a drought-proof water source. While desalination plants are expensive to build and operate, the gulf region provides a large supply of water. By 2030, Texas is recommended to produce 179,000 acre-feet of desalinated seawater annually, increasing to 192,000 acre-feet by 2070, according to the latest state water plan. That's enough water to support about 1.1 million Texans for one year. Texas also has vast reserves of brackish water underground, and cities like El Paso have already pioneered its use. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant is the largest inland desalination plant in the world. At max capacity, it can produce 27.5 million gallons of drinking water daily from brackish groundwater in the Hueco Bolson Aquifer. It also produces 3 million gallons of concentrate, which is the leftover water containing all the salt and impurities that was filtered out. A pipeline sends the concentrate more than 20 miles from the plant where it is injected underground. However, desalination comes with challenges: First, the process requires large amounts of energy to push water through membranes that separate salt and impurities, which is expensive. Then there's the disposal of concentrated brine, a highly salty liquid that's a byproduct of desalination. It must be carefully managed to avoid harming marine ecosystems or the environment. 'It'll always come back to the concentrate disposal,' said Art Ruiz, chief plant manager for El Paso Water and the former manager of the city's desalination plant. 'No matter how small or how big [the plant], you're going to create a byproduct. Recycling every drop of water is another solution. Water reuse allows treated wastewater to be reclaimed for various purposes, from irrigation to industrial cooling. One way of reusing water is direct potable reuse, which involves treating wastewater to drinking-water standards and either reintroducing it directly into the water supply or blending it with other sources before further treatment. Indirect potable reuse follows a similar process, but first releases treated water into a natural reservoir or aquifer before being re-extracted for use. Lubbock has recently started this practice with Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer. The company opened an 850,000-square-foot facility in January and will produce 1.5 million pounds of cheese a day. In return for the water the company uses, Leprino will return around 2 million gallons of clean water to Lubbock every day. This accounts for about 6.25% of Lubbock's daily water use. Leprino said they installed substantial capacity for water storage so the company could recover and store more water from the manufacturing process before it is cleaned. 'In Lubbock, we've designed and constructed the facility with water stewardship in mind from day one,' Leprino said in a statement. El Paso is leading the way with its Pure Water Center Facility, which recently started construction. It will purify already treated wastewater for people to drink and deliver 10 million gallons daily. When it's operating in 2028, it will be the first direct-to-distribution reuse facility in the country. While the concept, 'toilet-to-tap' might seem unappealing at first, water utility experts say the advanced treatment process ensures the water is clean and safe. San Antonio has embraced reuse for non-drinking water, sending treated wastewater from the city's Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center back into the city and its rivers. Purple-marked pipes carry recycled water to irrigate golf courses, cool industrial towers, and sustain the downtown River Walk. Some is diverted to an energy plant, while the rest flows to the gulf. In dry times, this steady outflow keeps the San Antonio River running. Aquifer storage and recovery is exactly what it sounds like. A water utility can store excess water underground during wet periods, allowing it to be withdrawn during droughts. El Paso has a program that injects treated water into the Hueco Bolson aquifer for future use. San Antonio stores excess Edwards Aquifer water in a certain site within the Carrizo Aquifer during wet periods, then recovers it during droughts. This method reduces evaporation losses compared to above-ground reservoirs and provides a reliable emergency water supply. However, this process requires specific geological conditions to be effective, and not all areas of Texas have suitable aquifers for storage. In some cases, it can also take a long time to move water through all the levels underground to reach the aquifer. One method being explored is creating and using playa lakes to recharge aquifers. Playas are shallow lakes that form in arid, flat regions and catch rainwater runoff. They are dry more often than wet, which is how they function — the water seeps through cracks in the dry soil of the playa's basin. 'Every time a playa dries out and we get a rain event, that's when recharge happens,' said Heather Johnson with Texas Parks and Wildlife in Lubbock. 'You'll get about three inches of rainwater infiltration into the playa basin annually.' Johnson said for every four acres of playa basin, approximately one acre-foot of water is recharged — about 326,000 gallons of water. That's enough water to cover a football field with nine inches of water. Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit national organization that manages wetlands and habitat conservations, is working with Texas Parks and Wildlife in the High Plains to recharge the Ogallala Aquifer. Tavin Dotson, the first regional biologist in the region for Ducks Unlimited, said playa lakes store a seed bank and when playas fill, plants begin to grow. This creates a grassy buffer around the playa — which acts as a natural filter to wash out contaminants before water reaches the playa basin and aquifers. Most of the Ducks Unlimited work in Texas is in the coastal areas. However, Dotson said there is a push to get the practice going even more in the High Plains, where the Ogallala Aquifer is facing declining levels. One of the practices involves filling pits and ditches that disrupt how playas function. Filling the pits allows playas to properly retain and filter water. Johnson said the High Plains contains more than 23,000 playa basins. Rain harvesting — capturing and storing rainwater for later use — is another way of conserving. This technique provides a decentralized water source for irrigation and livestock. While rainwater harvesting is an effective conservation tool, it is limited by Texas' variable rainfall patterns. It rains more in East Texas as opposed to the West. Still, some Texas groundwater districts actively promote rainwater harvesting to reduce reliance on municipal supplies. High Plains Underground Water Conservation District in Lubbock — the first groundwater district created in Texas — monitors water use and levels in the Ogallala, Edwards-Trinity and Dockum/Santa Rosa Aquifers. The organization also encourages ways to conserve water, including rainwater harvesting. In recent years, the water district has helped raise awareness of the practice in the district gave away ten rain barrels and 12 rain chains in 2023. Most recently, the district sponsored several rainwater harvesting projects at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum. Jason Coleman, general manager for the water district, said there are swales, or shallow areas, that catch rainwater. 'They are constructed in the landscape to help mitigate some of the runoff that was occurring at the arboretum,' Coleman said. 'They're nicely constructed. There's cobblestones and other nice features to make it a nice looking part of the landscape.' Historically, Texas has relied on reservoirs to store and manage water — a solution that boomed after a devastating drought that lasted seven years in the 1950s. There are more than 180 across the state. However, building new reservoirs has become increasingly difficult due to land constraints, environmental concerns, and the high costs of construction. Despite these challenges, regional water planning groups proposed 23 new major reservoirs in the 2022 state water plan. However, new laws now require realistic development timelines and feasibility studies, meaning that reservoirs may not be seen as the go-to solution they once were. Matt Phillips, the deputy general manager for the Brazos River Authority, told lawmakers during a House committee meeting that the population for the basin will double by 2080. The river authority serves Waco, Georgetown, Round Rock, College Station and other cities. Phillips said they would need an additional 500,000 acre-feet of water to meet those demands. 'All the cheap water is gone,' Phillips said. 'Every drop of water we develop from here on is going to be exponentially more expensive than anything we've seen in the past, so we're going to need help to get there.' State Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, filed legislation that would promote reservoir projects. Perry's Senate bill mirrors the proposal for reservoirs. In both, the water development board would be able to use money from the Texas Water Fund to encourage regional and interregional project developments. This includes the construction of reservoirs and stormwater retention basins for water supply, flood protection and groundwater recharge. Disclosure: Ducks Unlimited, Texas 2036 and Texas Tech University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘I will not stop,' Texas mom who lost son fights for fentanyl education
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Stefanie Roe has spent a lot of time at the Texas Capitol. In 2023, she pushed for legislation named for her son, Tucker, who died from fentanyl poisoning. He was 19 years old. In June 2023, Roe sat beside Gov. Greg Abbott as he signed Tucker's Law, which requires Texas school districts to educate students in grades 6-12 about the drug. Texas lawmakers push for decriminalization of fentanyl test strips But passing the law was just part of the fight to honor her son and save lives. Roe said there has been confusion over how to teach the topic. 'It's an unfunded mandate from the state,' Roe said, adding that without funding, schools could struggle to meet the requirements of Tucker's Law. 'That's frustrating. A law without any guidance is a disaster. It created a disaster for schools,' Roe said. Tucker was Roe's only son. After his death, she founded the nonprofit Texas Against Fentanyl, also known as TXAF. It's a 501(c)(3) founded to increase awareness, support and legislation surrounding the drug. Many of those involved in the nonprofit have their own stories of loss, and a mission to prevent others from dying from fentanyl poisoning. 'We understand the crisis for what it is,' Roe said. A key part of the TXAF mission is education. Through The Tucker Project, TXAF developed Street Smart, an interdisciplinary curriculum to help teach about the dangers of fentanyl. Roe worked with the state of Georgia to implement the curriculum in their schools. She's working on a pilot program to get it into Texas classrooms. Roe is hoping lawmakers will provide funding to roll out the curriculum. But she's also pushing for change on the national level. 'I will not stop until the nation has Tucker's Law and education is required at schools across the United States,' Roe said. 'We have a lot of work to do. I don't think I'll ever stop. I'll probably be marching at the Capitol for the rest of my life.' Roe said she does it in Tucker's memory. She believes he would be proud of her work. 'I know that he's smiling and saying 'go get 'em, mama,'' Roe said, smiling, as she stood on the steps of the State Capitol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
US multinationals in Ireland for ‘long haul', says Martin ahead of Trump talks
Irish premier Micheal Martin has insisted US multinationals who have invested in Ireland are committed to working in the country for the 'long haul'. The Taoiseach was commenting ahead of his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday when Ireland's trading relationship with America is expected to be discussed. Mr Martin also made clear Mr Trump is 'always welcome' in Ireland, when asked if he intends to adopt a tactic similar to Sir Keir Starmer and invite the president to visit the country during the Oval Office exchange. The Taoiseach was speaking to reporters in Austin, Texas on Tuesday. Mr Martin picked the Lone Star State for the first stop in his week-long series of St Patrick's engagements in the United States. He said the choice of Texas was 'intentional' given the strong record of Irish companies investing in Texas and Texas-based companies investing in Ireland. The Fianna Fail leader said that 'two-way street' of investment is something he intends to highlight in his discussions with Mr Trump in a bid to address concerns he may voice around a trade imbalance between the two countries. The meeting comes amid heightened concern that the president's protectionist approach to tariffs and tax could pose a significant risk to an Irish economy that is in large part sustained by long-standing investment by US multinationals. On Monday, Mr Martin said his message to companies operating in Ireland is to 'hold the nerve' and not 'react too quickly' to the potential major policy shifts by the administration in Washington. On Tuesday, he was asked whether he fears some multinationals may not hold their nerve and start to move operations back state-side. The Taoiseach said successful companies operating in Ireland had survived by adapting and changing when circumstances change. 'The actual reaction of multinationals that I met has been very positive,' he added. 'I met with Microsoft last week in Dublin. They're here 40 years in Ireland. I spoke to a number of pharmaceutical companies. They're in Ireland for the long haul. I think what will happen is there will be debate in the US, independent of any particular European country or Ireland also. So, I think we have to just monitor the situation, see how it evolves and develops. 'We're a small open trading economy, so we believe in free trade as a small open trading economy. It's been good for Ireland. That's our perspective. United States is much bigger entity, so it comes at it from a different perspective.' Mr Martin's itinerary on Tuesday in Austin included an engagement with state legislators at the Texas Capitol in the city, He was then set to depart for Washington DC ahead of attending a St Patrick's Day reception at the Irish Ambassador's residence on Tuesday evening. On Monday, Mr Martin said the main point he will be making with Mr Trump is 'how it's a two-way street' of investment and that Ireland operates as a 'powerful base' for the European single market. While being interviewed for a fireside chat at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in the city, he added: 'It's not just American investment in Ireland, it's Irish investment in America as well. 'We are buying a lot of stuff, a lot of American products. We have a lot of Irish companies based here that will grow, and that will continue to grow.' Earlier, on Monday, Mr Martin met Texas Governor Greg Abbott and visited US tech multinationals Dell and Tricentis, with the latter announcing plans to hire 50 additional staff in its Cork base over the coming years. He also met with businesses supported by Enterprise Ireland, introduced a panel on the Irish screen industry and participated in a 'pop-up Gaeltacht' at the Department of Foreign Affairs hub for SXSW, Ireland House. Mr Martin concluded his packed itinerary on Monday by attending a St Patrick's reception at the same venue, hosted by the Irish consulate in Austin. The Taoiseach and Mr Trump are expected to discuss a range of issues on Wednesday, including the war in Ukraine and the situations in the Middle East and Northern Ireland. The Irish leader will later present Mr Trump with the traditional shamrock bowl in the White House, extending St Patrick's Day greetings from the people of Ireland to the people of the US. Last month at the White House, British Prime Minister Sir Keir handed Mr Trump a letter from the King inviting him to an 'unprecedented' second state visit. Asked if he would be inviting Mr Trump to visit Ireland or giving him an additional gift on top of the shamrock bowl, Mr Martin told reporters: 'The president is always welcome to visit Ireland and obviously we'll be engaging on that front.' There has been speculation Mr Martin may invite golf fan Mr Trump to attend the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. A host of Irish Government ministers are also travelling to the US this week, including deputy premier Tanaiste Simon Harris, who is visiting Philadelphia and New York at a time described as a key juncture in European-US relations. Elsewhere, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly led an NI Chamber business delegation to North Carolina on Monday. Ms Little-Pengelly will attend Washington engagements alone after Ms O'Neill and her Sinn Fein party colleagues ruled out travelling to the US capital in protest against Mr Trump's stance on Gaza.
