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Gov. Greg Abbott is preparing an executive order that would impose new statewide rules on THC sales, including a minimum purchase age of 21, after lawmakers failed to agree on a ban during the latest special session. At the same time, Texas Rep. James Talarico has launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, bringing his blend of progressive politics and faith-driven messaging into a crowded Democratic primary that already includes former Rep. Colin Allred and former astronaut Terry Virts. And in a separate development, New York Attorney General Letitia James has stepped into a legal fight with Texas over abortion pills, a clash over shield laws that experts say could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.



The USLege 2025 Best in Government Affairs Awards (Texas) celebrate the behind-the-scenes pros: staffers, lobbyists, association leaders, and firms who power late nights and early mornings in the Capitol!
Winners will be spotlighted on our 2025 webpage, receive a custom award badge + digital toolkit, and get promotion to 12k+ policy leaders and media partners. Nominations close October 2 - don’t miss the chance to recognize your peers!
Nominate someone today: https://uslege.involve.me/best-in-gov
🎙️We Have a Podcast! 🎙️
Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.
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#41 - Eric Davis: The Future of Legislative Intelligence
Welcome to Episode #41 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Eric Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of USLege, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the company went from an idea in an Austin apartment to a fast-growing leader in legislative intelligence.
Eric shares the real story of building USLege from the ground up: the early bootstrapping days, customer research that validated the vision, and the turning points that led to securing investors like Reformation Ventures and Avalanche Ventures. Together, Laura and Eric discuss what it takes to build a Texas tech startup that is transforming how policy professionals work, communicate, and make impact.
They also dive into the next chapter for USLege, from AI-driven workflows to the future of legislative data and the evolving relationship between technology and government.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.
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🎧 Subscribe to Bills & Business
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🎬 Produced by USLege
📞 Want to see USLege in action? Schedule a demo today! https://www.uslege.ai/demo
#40 - Amy Whited: Bridging Science and Policy with Genmab
Welcome to Episode #40 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Amy Whited, Regional Director of Government Affairs at Genmab, a global biotechnology company pioneering antibody-based therapeutics to fight cancer.
Amy’s story spans more than two decades in politics and advocacy, from campaign war rooms to the forefront of biotech innovation. She shares her journey from political strategist to corporate advocate, offering a unique lens into how science, policy, and patient outcomes intersect.
Together, Laura and Amy discuss how Genmab is advancing research in gynecologic cancers, addressing disparities in women’s health, and influencing public policy both in Texas and across the Western states. The conversation also explores the business side of health innovation. How advocacy can drive economic impact while shaping more humane and effective treatments.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.
📲 Follow Laura Carr
🐦 Twitter: @Laura_USLege https://x.com/Laura_USLege
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurauslege/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereallauracarr/
🛍️ ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/lauraluise?Section_title=latest-finds&tab=collections
✍️ Substack: https://lauraluise.substack.com/
🔗 Links: https://lauraluise.carrd.co/
📲 Follow USLege
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🎧 Subscribe to Bills & Business
🌐 Website: https://www.uslege.ai/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillsandBusiness
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/22ZWg9VVb2AEGqyV14osNi?si=effe3795f8414171
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/bills-and-business-by-uslege/id1781059329
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📲 Follow Amy Whited
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🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/amy_whited
🎬 Produced by USLege 📞 Want to see USLege in action? Schedule a demo today! https://www.uslege.ai/demo
TXBIZNEWS
Walmart has announced plans to eliminate synthetic dyes and over 30 other ingredients from its U.S. private brand food products such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods, with a target completion date of January 2027, as outlined in a recent corporate statement.
The Details:
- The initiative removes 11 synthetic dyes, such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, along with preservatives and artificial sweeteners, responding to customer demand for simpler ingredients while maintaining taste and value.
- The move affects all Walmart U.S. food private brands, supporting a more transparent food system and aligning with evolving health-conscious trends.
- Walmart President and CEO John Furner said, “Our customers want products with familiar ingredients, and we’re delivering on that promise.”
- The transition will leverage natural alternatives, with the company collaborating with suppliers to meet the 2027 deadline.
“Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients - and we’ve listened. By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, we’re reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.”
- John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
Why It Matters:
This shift could set a new standard for the U.S. food industry, boosting consumer trust and influencing market trends.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!























