Colleen DeGuzman | The Texas Tribune

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 13 Texas residents, states that the redrawn districts in the new map — which Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll “swiftly” sign into law — are racially discriminatory and violate voter protection laws

Democrats fled the state to stop Republicans' attempt to redraw congressional districts, but bills aimed at everything from a THC product ban to bolstering flood response are now in doubt.

The 2023 law, previously ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge, prevents cities from enforcing ordinances that don't align with broad swaths of state law.

Policy experts discussed a range of issues they hope legislators consider next year, including child care, early childhood education and chronic school absenteeism.