Population gains, losses in state detailed

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.

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

Special session coming this fall
Texas lawmakers will adjourn the regular session on Monday — Memorial Day — but Gov. Greg Abbott has already indicated he will call a special session in the fall to grapple with redistricting after detailed census results are finally released.

Deaths of unbuckled Texans spike

‘Constitutional carry’ bill close to becoming law

State shows largest numerical population gain
 
Texas stands to gain two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after results of the 2020 census released last week show the state had the largest numerical gain of any state since the 2010 census

Health-care expansion defeated in House
 
A bid to expand health coverage for low-income Texans failed in the Texas House last week, 80-68.

Early voting underway across state

Abbott: No government mandated vaccine passports in Texas