Redistricting Bills Advance in Senate, Heard in House
TXElects
The Senate passed its redistricting plan on a 20-11 vote. The plan would likely increase the Republican majority by one seat to 19-12 by adding all of part of seven rural and exurban counties to SD10, which is currently contained completely within Tarrant Co. Sens. Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) voted in favor, and Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) voted against the plan.
The Senate Redistricting Committee approved a new congressional map on a 9-6 party-line vote. It now goes to the full Senate.
The House Redistricting Committee heard public testimony on the House map. All but a few of the people signed up to testify were opposed to the plan. At press time, the committee was standing at ease prior to considering more than three dozen amendments.
HD133 open: Former Houston council member Bert Keller announced he would run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Murphy (R-Houston) as a Republican.
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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Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
$6.25 billion. 25 million children. $250 each.
Susan and I believe the smartest investment we can make is in children. That’s why we’re so excited to contribute $6.25 billion from our charitable funds to help 25 million children start building a strong financial foundation… pic.twitter.com/4Bcv3RKp0q
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
$6.25 billion. 25 million children. $250 each.
Susan and I believe the smartest investment we can make is in children. That’s why we’re so excited to contribute $6.25 billion from our charitable funds to help 25 million children start building a strong financial foundation… pic.twitter.com/4Bcv3RKp0q
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
📢 ICYMI: My Props 10, 11 & 13 passed with 89%, 77% & 79%+ voter approval supermajorities in last nights’ election!🎉
🏡💰 These constitutional amendments will increase homestead exemptions and provide much needed school property tax cuts statewide for TX taxpayers! 🇺🇸
“The people of San Antonio have voted to approve the county’s contribution toward the proposed Spurs arena, and I will work to ensure this generational investment helps to revitalize our downtown and strengthen our city. Great cities are built through collaboration, persistence,… pic.twitter.com/1j5HRY901B
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
Statement by President George W. Bush on Vice President Dick Cheney:
The death of Richard B. Cheney is a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends. Laura and I will remember Dick Cheney for the decent, honorable man that he was. History will remember him as among the finest… pic.twitter.com/fmx7hI4eFD
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) November 4, 2025
BREAKING: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is officially taking over the Fort Worth ISD school district, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath told FOX 4 in an exclusive interview on Thursday. https://t.co/6DzQFIQys3pic.twitter.com/gudWHjBhhn
Passengers were evacuated from a United Airlines flight at Reagan National Airport Tuesday after reports of a bomb threat on Tuesday. https://t.co/MaA6zj3Ufk
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🚨 Bills & Business Podcast: Exploring USLege’s New AI-Powered Feature “Radar” 🚨
Our latest Bills & Business episode with @Laura_USLege and Eric Davis, Co-Founders of USLege, takes listeners inside one of the most exciting innovations in legislative tech, Radar. 🧠⚡
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