The Texas Senate passed a bill on Wednesday authorizing the Texas Office of Attorney General (OAG) to prosecute election crimes. SB 11, filed by state Sen.

AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers moved a notch closer in their quest to bar local governments from using public dollars on outside lobbyists Wednesday. The GOP-dominated Texas Senate approved the bill on a 17-11 vote amid a debate that has largely focused on whether the state was reforming where taxpayer dollars are spent or whether it was eroding local influence.