https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jasper-scherer/The latest news by Jasper Scherer.enMon, 02 Jun 2025 17:47:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-thc-ban-greg-abbott-dan-patrick/Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed.By Jasper Scherer and Alejandro SerranoMon, 02 Jun 2025 17:47:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-thc-ban-greg-abbott-dan-patrick/Displaying boxes of petitions, members of the Texas Hemp Business Council hold a press conference calling for Gov. Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC products, on June 2, 2025.Displaying boxes of petitions, members of the Texas Hemp Business Council hold a press conference calling for Gov. Greg Abbott to veto SB 3, a bill which would ban THC products, at the Texas Capitol on June 2, 2025.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/31/texas-state-budget-legislative-approval/A boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.By Jasper SchererSat, 31 May 2025 15:32:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/31/texas-state-budget-legislative-approval/One must-pass piece of legislation each session is the state budget, which passed both chambers on Saturday.The State Capitol on Nov. 19, 2020.Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-thc-hemp-ban-abbott-dan-patrick/The governor has not addressed whether he supports the ban, as hemp industry leaders have urged him to veto Senate Bill 3.By Jasper SchererSun, 25 May 2025 21:16:36 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-thc-hemp-ban-abbott-dan-patrick/Edible THC and CBD products sit on display at Sweet Sensi, a shop specializing in THC products five blocks away from the Capitol in Austin on May 22, 2025.Edible THC and CBD products sit on display at Sweet Sensi, a shop specializing in THC products five blocks away from the Capitol in Austin on May 22, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-house-senate-burrows-patrick-cooperation/A 2024 war among Republicans tilted the House to the right. Now more closely aligned with the Senate, Speaker Dustin Burrows has accelerated action on bail, school vouchers and social issues.By Jasper SchererSun, 25 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-house-senate-burrows-patrick-cooperation/The influence of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is evident down the Legislature's homestretch, as a steady drumbeat of his highest priorities heads to the governor's desk.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-thc-hemp-senate-bill-3-ban/The House approved the ban after previously considering proposals to preserve the industry by tightening regulations.By Jasper SchererWed, 21 May 2025 21:59:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-thc-hemp-senate-bill-3-ban/Products containing THC sit at a store in Austin, Texas, on May 5, 2025.Products containing THC sit at a store in Austin, Texas on May 5, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-senate-public-school-finance-deal/The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.By Jasper Scherer, Renzo Downey and Jaden EdisonWed, 21 May 2025 15:13:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-senate-public-school-finance-deal/Texas House and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday were nearing a deal on an $8.5 billion package to provide new funding for the state's public schools.Bonham Elementary School in San Antonio on May 9, 2018.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-rep-vikki-goodwin-dan-patrick/As the field takes shape for the 2026 campaign, the Republican incumbent, Dan Patrick, starts with a large financial advantage.By Jasper SchererTue, 20 May 2025 10:22:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-rep-vikki-goodwin-dan-patrick/State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor against the incumbent, Dan Patrick.State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, speaks at a press conference outside the Texas Capitol on April 22, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-house-deadline-winners-losers/Some measures that made it through before midnight dealt with jail bonds, an unconstitutional ban on gay sex, and the liability of vaccine manufacturers.By Kayla Guo and Jasper SchererFri, 16 May 2025 00:27:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-house-deadline-winners-losers/Lawmakers gather during a point of order on May 15, 2025. House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows presided over a busy week in the lower chamber as a key deadline came -- and went -- at the end of Thursday.House Speaker Dustin Burrows speaks at his dais as house members gather during a point of order on May 15, 2025. May 15 was the final day for the House to file bills.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-public-school-funding-legislature/Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererWed, 14 May 2025 13:44:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-public-school-funding-legislature/Time is running out for Texas lawmakers to reach an agreement on a public education funding package. Senators will discuss their version of a proposal approved by the House during a panel Thursday.Nimitz Middle School students line up to enter their next class on Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-legislature-agenda-items-taxes-water-abortion/A raft of social conservative priorities backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hang in the balance, including efforts to infuse more religion into public schools.By Jasper SchererWed, 14 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-legislature-agenda-items-taxes-water-abortion/Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows and other leaders in the Legislature face a full agenda of priority issues as the days tick down to the end of session.Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows presides over discussion of SB 2 Amendment 1 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/dennis-paul-mayes-middleton-texas-senate/Paul is the first candidate out of the gate to succeed incumbent Mayes Middleton in an open seat running from Galveston to the outskirts of Houston.By Jasper SchererThu, 08 May 2025 15:31:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/dennis-paul-mayes-middleton-texas-senate/State Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston, is running for the Texas Senate.State Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston, on the House floor on Aug. 23, 2021.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-bail-accused-defendants-constitution/While Gov. Greg Abbott steps up his push for stricter bail rules, critics seek a balance between the rights of the accused and the goal of keeping dangerous defendants behind bars.By Kayla Guo and Jasper SchererWed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-bail-accused-defendants-constitution/The Republican proposal to amend the Texas Constitution is intended to limit bail as an option for some people accused of violent crimes.A+ Discount Bail Bonds in San Marcos on Sept. 8, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-john-cornyn-senate-2026-campaign-leadership-ken-paxton-trump/Cornyn’s move to stockpile his campaign team with seasoned GOP operatives signals he is digging in for a serious fight against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.By Jasper SchererWed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-john-cornyn-senate-2026-campaign-leadership-ken-paxton-trump/U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, seen in Austin on May 3, 2025, said in a statement announcing his reelection campaign leadership team that he would run “an aggressive campaign that clearly frames the choice for Texas Republican primary voters.”U.S. Sen. John Cornyn talks to reporters after Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 2, the voucher bill, into law at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on May 3, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/texas-school-board-races/Issues about control of book purchases and how curriculums teach race and gender have led to change on many boards, including Keller, Katy and Mansfield ISDs.By Jasper Scherer and Renzo DowneyMon, 05 May 2025 19:07:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/texas-school-board-races/The school board election in the Keller ISD saw voters reject conservative candidates.A Keller ISD school board meeting in Keller, TX on April 25, 2022.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/Abbott tapped into a powerful national conservative movement and his own campaign war chest to turn legislative races into multimillion-dollar affairs.By Jasper SchererFri, 02 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott takes a photo with students and staff after speaking about school vouchers at Parent Empowerment Night at Harvest Christian Academy in Edinburg on Feb. 6, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott takes a photo with students and staff after speaking about school vouchers at Parent Empowerment Night at Harvest Christian Academy in Edinburg on Feb. 6, 2025.Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/thc-hemp-regulations-senate-bill-3-texas-house/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called banning THC products a top priority. The latest draft of the lower chamber’s THC regulation bill would allow retailers to continue selling edibles and drinks.By Jasper SchererThu, 01 May 2025 13:04:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/thc-hemp-regulations-senate-bill-3-texas-house/Restart CBD displays beverages in a refrigerator on May 9, 2024 in Austin.Restart CBD displays beverages in a fridge on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Beverages are a really interesting opportunity for this industry as they are accessible like edibles, but also allow for people to consume drinks that aren’t alcohol but still have some sort of benefit.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-republicans-hardball/Anti-voucher Republicans said they voted for the bill so they could fight to improve it, and also to fend off political retribution.By Jasper SchererThu, 17 Apr 2025 17:54:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-republicans-hardball/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at ‘Parent Empowerment Night’ at San Antonio Christian School, in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at ‘Parent Empowerment Night’ at San Antonio Christian School, in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2025.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-school-vouchers-public-education-funding/The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererThu, 17 Apr 2025 02:13:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-school-vouchers-public-education-funding/State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, answers questions regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025. Lawmakers gave final approval to the school voucher legislation Thursday.State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, answers questions regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-vouchers-public-school-funding-vote/The Texas House also approved more money for schools in a bipartisan vote.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererTue, 15 Apr 2025 17:39:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-vouchers-public-school-funding-vote/State Rep. Brad Buckley answers questions from Democrats regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.State Rep. Brad Buckley answers questions from Democrats regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/mayes-middleton-attorney-general-candidate-ken-paxton/Middleton is the second Republican to join what is expected to be a growing field of candidates angling to succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton as the state’s top legal official.By Jasper SchererTue, 15 Apr 2025 13:19:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/mayes-middleton-attorney-general-candidate-ken-paxton/Senator Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, has entered the race for Texas attorney general.Senator Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, during a Texas Senate meeting on March 25, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune