Will Texas Senate Pass A Texting Ban?

The Texas Senate may take up a bill this week that’d ban texting while driving, marking the first time in six years the measure may make it a step further in the legislative process.
by Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard

Happy Monday! Thanks for reading The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that prepares you for the day ahead. – BB

Tribune today

• Following our investigation, a Texas House member has proposed taking $3 million from Gov. Greg Abbott’s homeland security budget to give to victims of human trafficking instead.  

• From Ross Ramsey: A state that wants to grow by freeing growing economic engines from regulations and taxes is throttling its cities and school districts with regulations and taxes.

• Texans in Congress mainly back President Trumps’ recent airstrikes in Syria. That’s not how they felt in 2013.

• Paul Storey’s execution was halted Friday afternoon, amid claims of false evidence.  

• Hillary Clinton says if Texas had the same voter turnout as California, it’d already be blue.

• Veteran Texas lobbyist Blake Rocap explains one of the most direct ways to talk to lawmakers face to face: testifying before a committee.  

What you need to know

Texas is one of four states without a statewide ban on texting while driving. This week, the Senate may advance a bill banning texting while driving for the first time in six years.  

• The issue isn’t a new one. In 2011, State Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, filed a bill that would penalize drivers who used their phone on the road. It was then vetoed by then-Gov. Rick Perry, who said the measure would “micromanage the behavior of adults.” In 2015 and 2013, Craddick’s bill passed the House but died in the Senate.  

• The House voted out the bill in March, and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, is carrying the bill’s counterpart in the Senate. Zaffirini said last week she has the votes needed for it to pass the Senate.   

• Former opponents are warming up to a texting ban. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who opposed the measure in 2011,  said earlier this year he had “evolved on the issue personally” and suggested he may back the bill this time around. 

For your calendar

Today at 11:30 a.m.: Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith will moderate a discussion with state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and state Reps. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, and Donna Howard, D-Austin. Join us for lunch and a conversation at The Austin Club, or watch online here. 

Quote to note

“Separating children from their parents during traumatic events, such as fleeing one’s country due to war and violence, is harmful to their mental health — but for infants and toddlers it is devastating.”  — Sadie Funk, executive director of First3Years, about proposed immigration regulations via TribTalk

The Brief is written and compiled by your morning news baristas, Bobby Blanchard and Cassi Pollock. If you have feedback or questions, please email thebrief@texastribune.org.  

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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.