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Federal Assistance for Rest Area, Crabapple Wildfires Incoming

Federal Assistance for Rest Area, Crabapple Wildfires Incoming — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Texas’ request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to help battle the Rest Area Fire in Gray County and the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County.

Texas Senate Committee Approves Bills Aimed at Easing Housing Crisis — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — The Texas Senate Local Government Committee approved bills aimed at combating the rising cost of housing. With the price of housing continuing to increase, both Governor Greg Abbot (R) and state Comptroller Glenn Hegar have expressed concern, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has made housing one of his legislative priorities, introducing Senate Bill 15.

Roy Fuels Growing Support of DOGE's Oversight Efforts of Entire Federal Government — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — In a recent interview with Texas Politics, Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) stressed the need for enhanced oversight of federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense (DOD). He argued that the growing bureaucracy within the federal government demands more scrutiny and called for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to play a larger role in monitoring agencies like the Defense Department.

Trump Admin Defends Visa Cancellation Program as Travel Ban Looms — By Texas Politics' Mateo Guillamont — President Donald Trump’s cabinet is defending its new ‘Catch and Revoke’ visa cancellation program. 

Texas Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Strengthen Higher Education Oversight — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — Texas lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 37, a sweeping proposal designed to increase oversight of higher education institutions and ensure compliance with the state’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The bill, authored by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R), seeks to create a new office within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to investigate universities for potential violations of state laws or institutional policies.

Affirmative Action: DOE Investigates Dozens of Universities — By Texas Politics' Mateo Guillamont — The US Department of Education (DOE) has announced investigations into over fifty different universities for allegedly employing affirmative action and racial preference policies in its programs and scholarships. 

Senate Democrats Advance Republican CR, Avoid Government Shutdown — By Texas Politics' Jackson Bakich — Ten Democrats voted to advance the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through September, setting the stage for the Republican-led measure to pass with a simple majority. The continuing resolution must be passed before midnight on Friday, March 14 to avoid a shutdown. Sixty votes were needed to end the discussion surrounding the CR (negate a filibuster). The vote to send the bill to a final decision was 62-38.

Cloud's Bill Would Block Federal Gun Control During Emergencies — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Texas Rep. Michael Cloud (R) has introduced the "Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act," which prevents the federal government from using emergency declarations as a basis for imposing gun control measures.

Federal Assistance for Rest Area, Crabapple Wildfires Incoming — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina

More South Texas wildfires possible this week. Here's when.  — By Anthony Franze for San Antonio Express-News

LONESTAR is written by Javier Manjarres and Daniel Molina