The Texas House has passed a bill to combat extreme heat inside state-run jails and prisons. Senate Bill 1708 would require the temperature inside these units...
Two North Texas lawmakers, Rep. Carl Sherman, D-DeSoto, and John Bryant, D-Dallas, have authored similar bills. Sherman’sThere was no opposition to the three air conditioning bills when they were debated in committee earlier this month. Supporters included faith groups, prisoner rights advocates and the correctional officers union, whose representatives said they struggle to keep people in the job in part because of the extreme heat.
Implementing the bill is estimated to cost $1.1 billion, although the supporters question that number. The cost would be covered, at least partially, under the House proposed budget. It would fund the first two of four phases and would add air conditioning for 62,000 beds in TDCJ prisons over the next eight years, the agency said.
The Senate budget has allocated a smaller amount for prison major repairs and restoration that is not specifically earmarked for air conditioning.. Lauren is an investigative reporter focused on state politics and policy. Her expertise areas include courts, criminal justice, ethics and LGBTQ issues. She previously covered Texas politics for The Houston Chronicle and Louisiana politics for The New Orleans Times-Picayune. She loves cats, cemeteries and comic books, and cooks a mean steak.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas kids would need parental consent to create social media accounts under House billTexas youth would need consent from a parent or guardian before creating social media accounts under a bill the Texas House initially approved. The bill would also let parents request access to any data on social media associated with the minor.
Read more »
House bill requires Texas kids to get parental OK for social mediaUnder House Bill 18, social media companies will need to get consent from the parent of a minor through a form, toll-free telephone line, coordinated video conference call, collecting info from government-issued ID or email. Story by TexasTribune.
Read more »
Texas kids would need parental consent to create social media accounts under House billThe House gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday. The legislation is a priority for Speaker Dade Phelan.
Read more »
Texas House looks to pass marijuana decriminalization bill for the 3rd time since 2019The Texas Senate, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a longtime opponent of legalization, has consistently blocked the legislation.
Read more »
Texas kids would need parental consent to create social media accounts under House billThe House gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday. The legislation is a priority for Speaker Dade Phelan.
Read more »
Texas House OKs marijuana decriminalization bill again as Senate hurdles remainThe Senate, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a longtime opponent of legalization, has consistently blocked the legislation.
Read more »