The Republican governor laid out an ambitious agenda that includes an unexpected array of conservative bills that failed during the regular session.

Greg Abbott is directing lawmakers returning to Austin this month to improve early warning systems and emergency communication in flood-prone areas and redraw the state's congressional districts in an effort to bolster Republicans in the midterms.

Abortion, THC, flood management and STAAR testing will be on a packed agenda when state lawmakers return to Austin for a special session later this month. Why it matters: If lawmakers act on all 18 items,