Lieutenant governor won't roll the dice on potential conference committee meltdown with decision to have GOP senators rubber-stamp more restrictive west wing version to get plan to Abbott and put fight to rest. more @DanPatrick thanks president for fighting for state on April 15   @GregAbbott_TX thanks Texas House for vouchers bill in advance April 16 Governor uses fear to break House stranglehold on school choice plan he failed to sell on the merits as six Republicans fold in fight to stop plan and claim they won concessions from sponsor for newfound support. more   SB 2 gets initial nod as Republicans end school choice west wing losing streak with party line votes to torpedo Democratic amendments including bid for statewide election as Burrows votes aye while ex-speaker is one of two GOP nays. more Brad Buckley leads school choice fight in Texas House on April 16   Mike Olcott speaks on budget conferees motion in House April 15 Abbott warns House Republicans to kill amendment or suffer wrath in anger on strategy tactic despite claims that plan has widespread among Texans who would have final say on first regulation of private education in the state. more   State reps risk offending Native Americans with move that follows Atlanta Braves lead in attempt to one-up rival chamber with HCR on slab of red meat that sponsor says is superior to NY strip that GOP senator proposes to rename. more Ken King passes tomahawk ribeye HCR in House 134-10 April 14   @GregAbbott_TX touts vouchers at SA religious school April 14 Greg Abbott backs kids ban that's already in the law but takes wait-and-see on cannabis for adults in television interview that he uses to defend Trump tariffs that experts say will hit Texas harder than any other state. more   Lieutenant governor risks possible backlash from economy and seniors in angst with pitch from president for re-election race that he doesn't need to be prohibitive favorite to win barring unforeseen developments. more @DanPatrick pitches tax plan with Monopoly board April 10   Lobbyists with links to new west wing leader and Republicans who wielded gavel before him get ratings bumps as competition intensifies thanks in part to governor's vouchers vengeance that fuels exodus from Legislature through revolving door. more Dennis Bonnen Lauren Fleming Margo Cardwell