EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS IS A REVISED BULLDOG EDITION OF CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS TO ACCOMMODATE EARLY DEADLINES BECAUSE OF THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. IT HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE LEGISLATURE’S ADJOURNMENT THURSDAY NIGHT. AN UPDATED VERSION WILL GO OUT SUNDAY IF NEEDED.

Elections bill passes House along party lines

Abbott sued over mask-mandate ban
 
A growing number of school districts, counties and cities have defied Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning mask mandates, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike due to the delta variant and a low rate of vaccination among Texans.

Delta variant spurs huge increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations

Eight proposed amendments on November ballot
                                                            

Workforce commission announces job surge
 
The Texas Workforce Commission released June employment figures that showed Texas employers added nearly 56,000 jobs in June, while the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5%.
“The Texas economy is booming,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we've built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper.”

Absent lawmakers stymie special session

Legislature returns for special session
 
The Texas Legislature convened in special session last Thursday and GOP legislators introduced a fresh set of voting bills after Democrats blocked an earlier attempt during the regular session by walking out in May, preventing a quorum.

This edition of Capital Highlights is being sent early to accommodate papers with early deadlines because of the July 4 holiday.
 
Gas prices at highest level since 2014

Democrats sue over defunding of legislative branch