These are all from the Texas Tribune.
1 - Gov. Greg Abbott signs $18 billion tax cut package for Texas property owners.
Here is an example of the governor's legislative power: bill signage. Bills become laws unless he actually vetoes them, click here for a list of vetoed bills over history. Sometimes he wants to demonstrate support, or take credit for, certain bills so he makes a ceremony out of it.
2 - Justice Department threatens Texas with legal action over floating barrier in Rio Grande.
Here is another chapter in the ongoing battle over border security policy between the national government and the states - with Texas leading the charge. Texas is unique among other southern border states since a river defines the border. Crossings over the river have been a problem, Texas wants to implement a solution that the national government disagrees with.
Constitutionally - U.S. Constitution anyway - this is a power delegated to Congress and prohibited to the states. The supremacy clause also could be used to justify the national government's priority in dealing with this issue.
Texas claims that border crossings qualify as an "invasion" which means that Texas can act on it as it sees fit. In addition, once in Texas, those who cross can be handled under state penal code by both state and local officials.
The story focuses on the national government using the national courts to push back against Texas about the legality of Texas' decision to use a specific method of interfering with attempts to cross the border. Texas has done so as well many times in the past.
3 - Confusion and stress abound for 500,000 Texans bumped from Medicaid.
Medicaid is a national program that provides medical funding for poor people. Medicare does the same, but for the elderly. Medicaid is paid for by federal income taxes and state sales taxes, Medicare by a dedicated payroll tax. Medicaid is run by the state governments, Medicare by the national government.
- Click here for the Social Security Amendments of 1965.
Government assistance for the poor has always been controversial. As a result, states negotiated to have control over who was eligible. Texas is one of the states that likes to limit access. This story is an example of it.
4 - EPA will decide if the state is doing enough to reduce pollution in two East Texas counties.
Here is another lawsuit filed against Texas by the national government. The previous one had to do with an international border, so it involves an area more commonly controlled by the national government. Environmental policy overlaps both national and state policy jurisdiction, so the fight can be more fierce. And if it involves Texas, it most certainly will be.
