.@SpeakerStraus, in intvw w/@evanasmith at LBJ School, says the “ineffectual Democratic Party” is part of what explains rightward drift/current state of Texas politics.

Says Dem wins “would get the attention of Republicans, & I can give you recent evidence,” pointing to ‘18/‘19 Straus, who was speaker during @GregAbbott_TX’s first term: “It’s too bad the governor took on all these members who are 99% with him.” He says he found that members can be allies even if they’re only with you on 70% or even 50% of issues. #txlege

NEW: @GovAbbott issues a new executive order outlawing all coronavirus vaccine mandates, including vaccines approved by the FDA. Abbott's previous order only prevented mandates for vaccines administered under an emergency use authorization. gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/… #txlege More news — Abbott is asking #txlege to pass a law during the ongoing special session that would codify his ban on vaccine mandates: gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/…

Today’s quorum in the Texas House. #txlege .@VoteAnnJohnson, marked absent on the roll call vote, just walked into the chamber

.@HoustonChron has compiled a lot of news you can use during the winter freeze. A non-exhaustive 🧵thread🧵 with some examples: Your water pipes burst due to the cold weather. Here's what you need to know for insurance claims. houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…

Though most Houston residents have had their power restored, @SylvesterTurner says there may be some additional power outages today, as ERCOT may tell CenterPoint (@CNPalerts) to shed power. At news conference from @HoustonOEM HQ, Turner says Houston's water pressure has improved and @HouPublicWorks has brought generators back online, but "we still have a way to go." He says citywide water pressure will likely stabilize around 35 PSI sometime tomorrow.

.@SylvesterTurner kicking off a press conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Updates to follow Turner says power will not be fully restored for another couple days. And he asks people to stay off the roads at night and not be "fooled" by conditions during the day, when it's warmer.

Police reform roundtable involving Cornyn, Cruz, Turner and a bunch of others getting underway just now at City Hall #txlege Cornyn says there's about "70 percent" overlap between the House and Senate police reform bills, and everyone seems to want immediate action. (Major differences involve qualified immunity, chokeholds and no-knock warrants)