Abbott Signs Early Education Bill, a Top Priority
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday signed House Bill 4, which is aimed at improving early education in Texas. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday signed House Bill 4, which is aimed at improving early education in Texas. Full Story
A state law granting a new trial in cases where the forensic science was flawed has hit an impediment: What if a field of such science has not been discredited, but an individual scientist makes a mistake? Full Story
Democratic lawmaker Dawnna Dukes of Austin has missed most of the session because of lingering injuries from a car accident. She made it back to the floor Tuesday for a crucial rules vote, helping block a Republican move to speed up several major bills. Full Story
Congress should follow Texas' lead on criminal justice reform and pass common-sense proposals that will increase public safety and save taxpayer dollars, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn writes. Full Story
Full video of my 5/28 conversation with state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: Disparities persist decades after Brown v. Board of Education, it's crunch time at the Legislature and an interview with Paul Carrola of the University of Texas at El Paso. Full Story
It's a calculation every member of Congress who runs for president faces: Is time spent fundraising and campaigning worth the blowback for missing work in D.C.? So far, Texas' junior senator appears to be betting yes. Full Story
Budget writers have added some last-minute cash for the Alamo, in large part to ensure the state holds on to a collection of Alamo artifacts from British music legend Phil Collins. Full Story
The House remains fully committed to keeping dark money disclosure language in its ethics reform legislation. However, the measure's Senate author is equally adamant that provision must come out. Full Story
Following an emotional floor debate, the Senate passed a resolution Wednesday reaffirming the state's opposition to same-sex marriage, an action taken as it became clear a bill to prevent such marriages in Texas was dead. Full Story
Climate change is taking a toll on Texas, and the devastating floods across the state are some of the best evidence yet of that phenomenon, state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said. But efforts to consider climate change policy in Texas have fallen flat. Full Story
After outspoken opposition from the state's law enforcement officials, the Texas House on Wednesday took a step toward removing a controversial provision from legislation allowing licensed Texans to openly carry handguns. Full Story
At the end of the legislative session, votes still count and majorities are important. But the rules come into play as well, and so do the political minorities. Full Story
The Texas House on Wednesday gave final sign-off to a far-reaching ethics reform package that would shine light on so-called “dark money” while restricting undercover recordings of people in the state Capitol. Full Story
The battle over "campus carry" is headed back to the Texas Senate after House lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation requiring universities in the state to allow concealed handguns on campus. Full Story
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, the latest Texas Republican to come out against the U.S. Export-Import Bank, did not shy away from his new position Wednesday as he spoke to business groups fighting to keep the 81-year-old federal agency alive. Full Story
Texas police chiefs are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to veto legislation repealing certain handgun restrictions in Texas if lawmakers do not remove a controversial provision the chiefs fear would allow criminals to carry firearms without repercussions. Full Story
After a night of dramatic maneuvers in the Texas House, lawmakers were back at it on Wednesday morning, with a handful of irked conservatives using parliamentary tactics to kill previously uncontested Senate bills. Full Story
A measure to ban the trade of shark fins in Texas is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after clearing the Texas Senate on Wednesday. The fins are collected by a brutal fishing process: cutting off a live shark's fin and leaving the shark to die. Full Story
In this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Morgan about Tuesday's mega-night in the Texas House, from parliamentary tricks and brokered deals to ethics, campus carry and abortion insurance. Full Story