Austin Police Chief Brian Manley and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stand behind Austin Mayor Steve Adler on the steps of the state Capitol on July 25, 2017. Top Texas law enforcement officers gathered at the Capitol today to speak out against "bathroom bill" legislation.
Austin Price / The Texas Tribune
<p>Austin Police Chief Brian Manley and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stand behind Austin Mayor Steve Adler on the steps of the state Capitol on July 25, 2017. Top Texas law enforcement officers gathered at the Capitol today to speak out against "bathroom bill" legislation.</p>

Law enforcement comes out against Texas "bathroom bill"

In a news conference Tuesday, big-city police chiefs called on lawmakers to reject the “bathroom bill,” saying the measure is discriminatory and does not keep the public safe.

 
Hugh and Nancy Raney in front of a pair of fields, one currently fallow, on their farm near Big Spring in January 2016. The couple had to stop farming part of their land when running the electric pumps to get well water to the fields became too expensive.
Gary Rhodes for The Texas Tribune
<p>Hugh and Nancy Raney in front of a pair of fields, one currently fallow, on their farm near Big Spring in January 2016. The couple had to stop farming part of their land when running the electric pumps to get well water to the fields became too expensive.</p>

Persistence pays off for rural Texans besieged by sky-high power prices

After struggling to pay sky-high power line rates for more than three years, thousands of rural Texans are set to get relief.

 

Persistence pays off for rural Texans besieged by sky-high power prices

Hugh and Nancy Raney in front of a pair of fields, one currently fallow, on their farm near Big Spring in January 2016. The couple had to stop farming part of their land when running the electric pumps to get well water to the fields became too expensive.
Gary Rhodes for The Texas Tribune
<p>Hugh and Nancy Raney in front of a pair of fields, one currently fallow, on their farm near Big Spring in January 2016. The couple had to stop farming part of their land when running the electric pumps to get well water to the fields became too expensive.</p>

After struggling to pay sky-high power line rates for more than three years, thousands of rural Texans are set to get relief.

 

 

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Analysis: In special session, Texas Senate's the hare, House is the tortoise

The three leaders of Texas appear jovial at a short meeting of the Cash Management Committee on July 18, 2017, as they face a potentially contentious 30-day special session of the 85th Legislature.&nbsp;
<p>The three leaders of Texas appear jovial at a short meeting of the Cash Management Committee on July 18, 2017, as they face a potentially contentious 30-day special session of the 85th Legislature.&nbsp;</p>

This summer's special session is a little like this spring's regular session, only in miniature. The Senate has big plans and is in a hurry. The House? Not so much.

Senate gives initial OK to property tax rate elections in cities, counties

State Sen. Van Taylor, &nbsp;R-Plano, holds 434 comments sent to him by constituents regarding large property tax increases during a Select Committee on Government Reform hearing on Saturday, July 22, 2017.&nbsp;
<p>State Sen. Van Taylor, &nbsp;R-Plano, holds 434 comments sent to him by constituents regarding large property tax increases during a Select Committee on Government Reform hearing on Saturday, July 22, 2017.&nbsp;</p>

The Texas Senate endorsed a bill allowing for property tax rate elections if revenues would exceed 4 percent of what what was taken in the year before. The House is slated to take up that matter and nearly three dozen other property tax and appraisal bills.

Texas Senate tackles special session abortion bills

State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, pauses during debate with Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, while talking on Senate Bill 10 on July 24, 2017. The measure would modify reporting requirements for physicians performing abortions. &nbsp;
<p>State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, pauses during debate with Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, while talking on Senate Bill 10 on July 24, 2017. The measure would modify reporting requirements for physicians performing abortions. &nbsp;</p>

Texas senators tentatively approved bills that would require physicians and facilities to do more detailed reporting on abortions — and fine those who do not comply. 

 

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What to expect in a special session

After Texas "human trafficking crime," Lt. Gov. Patrick lauds new law

The truck with human smuggling victims &mdash; 10 of whom died from heat exposure &mdash; was discovered at a Walmart in southwest San Antonio.
<p><span>The truck with human smuggling victims &mdash; 10 of whom died from heat exposure &mdash; was discovered at a Walmart in southwest San Antonio</span>.</p>

Amid the deaths of nine people in San Antonio, state and federal officials used social media and formal statements to tout a new anti-"sanctuary city" law, human trafficking legislation and U.S.-Mexico border security. 

Texas Senate committee OKs bill to outlaw city cellphone restrictions

State Sens. Brandon Creighton, R-The Woodlands, and Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, at a Business &amp; Commerce committee hearing on Saturday.&nbsp;
<p>State Sens. Brandon Creighton, R-The Woodlands, and Kelly Hancock, R-<span>North Richland Hills, </span>at a Business &amp; Commerce committee hearing on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

Senate Bill 15 would pre-empt local ordinances on mobile phone usage, effectively rolling back provisions in more than 40 Texas cities that currently post hands-free ordinances stricter than the statewide texting ban.