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Week of July 26 - 30

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.”

Week of July 19 - 23

Absent lawmakers stymie special session

Week of July 12 - 16

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.

Week of July 5 - 9

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

Week of June 28 - July 2

Democrats sue over defunding of legislative branch

Week of June 21 - 25, 2021

Heat wave prompts conservation call
 
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas urged Texans to cut back on power usage last week when an unusually large number of power plants shut down for unexpected repairs as temperatures soared. ERCOT officials announced Friday that Texans could resume normal levels of electricity use, however.
ERCOT came under fire after widespread outages during the winter storm in mid-February, resulting in the CEO being forced out and much of the board replaced.
Saturday marked the official first day of summer.

Week of June 14 - 18, 2021

Abbott vows to expand border ‘barrier’

Week of June 7 - 11

Population gains, losses in state detailed

Week of May 31 - June 4 - updated

Budget headed to governor’s desk
 
The Texas Legislature sent a $248 billion two-year state budget to Gov. Greg Abbott after the House approved the measure last Thursday.
The 140-day legislative session ended at midnight May 31. Senate Bill 1 is $13.5 billion less than the previous biennial budget, with the difference to be made up from COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government. As previously reported, Abbott plans to allow legislators to decide how to allocate those funds during a special session this fall.

Bulldog edition May 28

Note: This is a special bulldog edition of Capital Highlights for papers who have earlier deadlines because of the Memorial Day holiday. An updated version will be released at the usual time Monday.

Budget headed to governor’s desk

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