Bill Patterson, TPA President

By now the election season dust is settled and everyone is hunkering down for a long winter’s nap — or maybe just a short one.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has become increasingly evident in the retail world since Labor Day. Now Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. Before you know it, the holidays will be a blur in the rear-view mirror and 2025 will be here.

Early voting ends on Friday

Texans who wish to vote early in the Nov. 5 general election have until closing time Friday, Nov. 1 to do so. Secretary of State Jane Nelson is encouraging voters to double-check their precinct numbers and candidate selections before casting their ballots.

5th Circuit Court removes judge from foster care suit

EDITORS: This is an early bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate newspapers with holiday deadlines. An updated version will be sent Sunday if events dictate.

Early voting begins next week

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Monday, Oct. 21 and ends on Nov. 1. Texas voters will be choosing from a full slate of candidates, from president to U.S. senator to various county positions.

Note to Editors: Due to the Columbus Day postal holiday, the Capital Highlights column for the week of Oct. 14 - 18 will be released early. The column will be sent by email and available online about 1 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 11. 

Lawmakers to tackle soaring home insurance rates

Phelan’s GOP foes back one challenger

Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.

Phelan’s opponents, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, claim he has given too much power to Democrats by naming some to lead legislative committees. 

Voter registration deadline nears for November election

Eligible Texans planning to vote in the November general election have until Oct. 7 to register, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson reminds folks.  The registration deadline applies to both early and election day voting.

“Texans have just a few short weeks left to register to vote, and I want to ensure all eligible Texans who want to make their voices heard are registered and prepared to do so,” Nelson said. 

Border Patrol faulted in Uvalde school shooting

A 200-page report from the Department of Homeland Security faulted U.S. Border Patrol agents who rushed to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, concluding they “failed to establish command and had inadequate training” in one of the deadliest classroom attacks, The Dallas Morning News reported.

New Texas laws now in effect

It took some time, but a set of new laws and rules passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 went into effect on Sept. 1, the Houston Chronicle reported. Prominent among these are the SCOPE Act, or Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act, which tightens restrictions for online users younger than 18.

EDITORS: This is a special bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if events dictate.

Comptroller: Hundreds of new homes needed to cut costs