Traffic on Lamar Boulevard in downtown Austin on June 22, 2017.
Austin Price/The Texas Tribune
<p>Traffic on Lamar Boulevard in downtown Austin on June 22, 2017.</p>

Hey, Texplainer: Do I still have to get my car inspected every year?

A bill to end annual vehicle inspections died during the regular legislative session — but might come back during next month’s special session. Its sponsor says the inspections are a waste of time and money; opponents say they keep dangerous cars off Texas roads.

 
Abigail Fisher, right, plaintiff in Fisher v. University of Texas, leaves the U.S. Supreme Court with Edward Blum of the Project on Fair Representation after oral arguments in the case, in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2015.
Allison Shelley for The Texas Tribune
Abigail Fisher, right, plaintiff in Fisher v. University of Texas, leaves the U.S. Supreme Court with Edward Blum of the Project on Fair Representation after oral arguments in the case, in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2015.

Man behind Fisher affirmative action case files new lawsuit against UT-Austin

After years of challenging the University of Texas at Austin's use of affirmative action in federal court, Edward Blum will now try to end the practice in state court. 

A woman demonstrating against Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law, waves a flag during a march near the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments from&nbsp;Texas cities and counties challenging the bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune
<p><span>A woman demonstrating against <span>Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law</span>, waves a flag during a march near the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments from&nbsp;Texas cities and counties challenging the bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.</span></p>

The Brief: One hearing on Texas' immigration law down, one to go

Protesters with posters, Democratic officials and immigrants' rights groups descended on a federal courthouse in San Antonio Monday, marking the first skirmish in what could be a lengthy battle over the state's new immigration enforcement law — known as Senate Bill 4 or the "sanctuary cities" ban.

Texas Republicans study the proposed party platform as the debate plays out in Dallas on May 13, 2016.
Illustration by Bob Daemmrich
Texas Republicans study the proposed party platform as the debate plays out in Dallas on May 13, 2016.

New Texas GOP chair puts emphasis on platform

The Texas Republican Party's platform – a 26-page document covering the party's official positions on everything from tax reform to bathroom regulations – is being touted more boldly by the the party's new chairman.

Man behind Fisher affirmative action case files new lawsuit against UT-Austin

Abigail Fisher, right, plaintiff in Fisher v. University of Texas, leaves the U.S. Supreme Court with Edward Blum of the Project on Fair Representation after oral arguments in the case, in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2015.
Allison Shelley for The Texas Tribune
Abigail Fisher, right, plaintiff in Fisher v. University of Texas, leaves the U.S. Supreme Court with Edward Blum of the Project on Fair Representation after oral arguments in the case, in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2015.

After years of challenging the University of Texas at Austin's use of affirmative action in federal court, Edward Blum will now try to end the practice in state court. 

The Brief: One hearing on Texas' immigration law down, one to go

A woman demonstrating against Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law, waves a flag during a march near the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments from&nbsp;Texas cities and counties challenging the bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune
<p><span>A woman demonstrating against <span>Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law</span>, waves a flag during a march near the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments from&nbsp;Texas cities and counties challenging the bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.</span></p>

Protesters with posters, Democratic officials and immigrants' rights groups descended on a federal courthouse in San Antonio Monday, marking the first skirmish in what could be a lengthy battle over the state's new immigration enforcement law — known as Senate Bill 4 or the "sanctuary cities" ban.

New Texas GOP chair puts emphasis on platform

Texas Republicans study the proposed party platform as the debate plays out in Dallas on May 13, 2016.
Illustration by Bob Daemmrich
Texas Republicans study the proposed party platform as the debate plays out in Dallas on May 13, 2016.

The Texas Republican Party's platform – a 26-page document covering the party's official positions on everything from tax reform to bathroom regulations – is being touted more boldly by the the party's new chairman.

 

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Who should regulate Uber and Lyft? Here’s what some Texans think

The signing of HB 100 opened the door for Lyft to resume operations in Houston and for both ride-hailing companies to return to cities such as Austin, Corpus Christi and Galveston.
<p>The signing of HB 100 opened the door for Lyft to resume operations in Houston and for both ride-hailing companies to return to cities such as Austin, Corpus Christi and Galveston.</p>

Here’s a look at the state-vs.-local fight over ride-hailing regulations, what the new state law means for drivers and customers, and how some Texans feel about the changes.

Texas House education leaders won't budge on school finance, private school choice

Reps. Dan Huberty, Diego Bernal and&nbsp;Gary VanDeaver discuss the past legislative session and the upcoming special session at a conference of the Texas Association of School Administrators in Austin on June 25, 2017.
<p>Reps. Dan Huberty, Diego Bernal and&nbsp;Gary VanDeaver discuss the past legislative session and the upcoming special session at a conference of the Texas Association of School Administrators in Austin on June 25, 2017.</p>

Rep. Dan Huberty, chair of the House Public Education Committee, said he plans to file a bill during the special session to reform school finance — and to continue to reject "private school choice."

Attorneys spar over Texas immigration law in federal court

People demonstrating&nbsp;against Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" ban, march near the Riverwalk in San Antonio on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing opening arguments&nbsp;from Texas cities and counties challenging the measure, signed into law by Gov. Greg &nbsp;Abbott.
<p><span>People demonstrating&nbsp;against <span>Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" ban</span>, march near the Riverwalk in San Antonio on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing opening arguments&nbsp;from Texas cities and counties challenging the measure, signed into law by Gov. Greg &nbsp;Abbott.</span></p>

Monday was the first day of what could be a lengthy legal battle over Senate Bill 4, which has been billed as the toughest state-based immigration bill in the country. 

Texas' new immigration law is in court Monday. What's happened so far?

San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller speaks to protesters in front of the federal courthouse where U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments&nbsp;against Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law, on June 26, 2017.
<p><span>San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller speaks to protesters in front of the federal courthouse where U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments&nbsp;against Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary&nbsp;cities law, on June 26, 2017.</span></p>

A long day is expected in San Antonio on Monday as U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia hears a lawsuit over Texas' controversial new immigration enforcement law. Expect more fireworks as the day continues.

U.S. Supreme Court tosses cross-border shooting case back to lower court

Customs and Border Patrol agents constantly patrol wide gravel roads along the border fence. The traffic — which has increased as border enforcement budgets have soared — is another threat to border wildlife, according to scientists and conservationists.
Customs and Border Patrol agents constantly patrol wide gravel roads along the border fence. The traffic — which has increased as border enforcement budgets have soared — is another threat to border wildlife, according to scientists and conservationists.

The nation's high court on Monday sent a case involving the cross-border shooting death of a Mexican teenager back to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. At issue is whether the teen's family can sue the U.S. border patrol agent who killed him. 

 

 

Analysis: Talk of taking on Straus simmering, but nowhere near a full boil

House Speaker Joe Straus adjourns the House sine die on May 29, 2017. "Sine die" means&nbsp;without any future date being designated for resumption.
<p>House Speaker Joe Straus adjourns the House sine die on May 29, 2017. "Sine die" means&nbsp;without any future date being designated for resumption.</p>

Between a contentious regular session of the Texas Legislature and a special session that starts in less than four weeks, some lawmakers are talking about the people in leadership, starting with the speaker of the House.

 

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