“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday announced a new special legislative session to begin Aug. 7 at noon, the day after the current special session is set to expire, as Republicans continue their push to enact new election regulations following the 2020 elections.
Abbott’s 17-item agenda includes a slate of bills including subjects like critical race theory, bail reform and education legislation that would ensure mask wearing and Covid-19 vaccinations are not mandatory. But the main item is elections legislation. Republicans have been pushing a bill for months that would roll back voting practices championed by blue counties during the pandemic, as well as adding restrictions on mail voting and putting new criminal penalties in place that would affect poll workers.”
