Texas Republicans

Elected leaders at the county, city and school board level have largely avoided the scrutiny targeted at Republicans in the state legislature earlier this year when they drew state and federal lines to overwhelmingly favor white Texans. But the stakes are high in the fight over local district boundaries as well.

The bill would bring an estimated $30 billion or more of infrastructure spending into the state. That includes money for federal highway programs, public transit and the state’s electric vehicle charging network.

On Twitter, the state GOP urged followers to call their lawmakers in response to the Biden administration’s latest rule for large businesses.

The third special legislative session has wrapped up. Here’s a look at the lawmakers who’ve announced they won’t return to their seats in the 88th legislature.

While Democrats hold firm in their accusations of racial gerrymandering, Republicans passed a map reallocating Texas’ seats in the U.S. House. A court challenge is likely ahead.

The session is focused on approving new district maps. Gov. Greg Abbott is also pressuring lawmakers to pass his priorities.

Georgia Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker has called off a fundraiser in Texas because an organizer was displaying a swastika made of syringes in her social media profile to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.

Members considered more than 50 amendments to the proposed map during debate that began Tuesday and ended early Wednesday. It will now head to the Senate for consideration. Some of the biggest changes focused on Dallas and Harris counties.

A proposed map outlining changes to voting districts for the Texas House of Representatives goes before the full chamber on Tuesday. The maps have sparked controversy because critics say they are drawn in a way that dilutes the power of voters of color.

Tea party firebrand Allen West, a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Texas, was hospitalized with COVID-19 on Sunday but said he’s “doing great.”

Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said the maps were drawn “race-blind.” But Democratic Sen. Beverly Powell, whose district would be turned into a majority-Republican district, said they’re an attempt to deny voters of color their voice in elections.

Facing demographic changes that work against their political dominance, Republicans will be able to redraw politically advantageous maps — and shield themselves from the change — without federal oversight for the first time in decades.