Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the Department of Family and Protective Services from making a finding of "abuse" or "neglect" against a parent who surrenders parental rights to get a child mental health care. Full Story
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A measure to provide workplace protections for female teachers who need to pump breast milk while at work is picking up opposition in the Senate. Full Story
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The Legislature's two chambers are still not on the same page when it comes to figuring out how to extend tax relief. The prognosis on whether they find room to compromise varies as well. Full Story
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Three members of the Texas congressional delegation have high hopes that after 40 years, the federal government will eliminate a ban on American crude oil on the international market. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers Wednesday considered extending hate crime protections to transgender people and repealing the state’s anti-sodomy law, which remains on the books even though it's been found unconstitutional. Full Story
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State Rep. David Simpson's proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas moved closer to a full House after it was approved by a House committee Wednesday evening. Full Story
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A tax case started by a chain of movie theaters could cut billions from the state's franchise tax, and could affect the sales tax, too, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Wednesday. The 3rd Court of Appeals ruled against the state late last week. Full Story
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A bill that would require Texas elected officials to reveal contracts they have with governmental entities — one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s major priorities this year — was overwhelmingly approved by the Texas House on Wednesday. Full Story
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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is not wasting any time tending to a political network in Texas as he sets out on his second bid for the White House. Full Story
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After an unsuccessful attempt to include an exception for rape and incest, a measure to ban abortion coverage from health insurance plans cleared the Texas Senate on Wednesday. Full Story
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Legislation passed by the House on Wednesday will prohibit payday lenders and auto title loan businesses from placing telemarketing calls to Texans on the "do not call" list. The measure now heads to the Senate. Full Story
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Lawmakers have soundly rejected a bill to cap the state sales tax on certain boat purchases worth more than $250,000. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, said his measure was about helping the struggling recreational marine industry. Full Story
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Despite warning that powdered alcohol could lead to a spike in underage drinking that would “make the darkest days of the Four Loko era look tame,” a lawmaker on Wednesday pulled back his measure to outlaw the product in Texas. Full Story
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The unfolding story about surreptitious taping of officeholders at the Texas Capitol is going to end predictably: You'll know who did the filming — but not who paid for it. Full Story
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A languishing measure requiring public universities and colleges to allow concealed handguns on campus may gain a fast track to passage under a plan to attach it as an amendment to another gun bill. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Evan, Ross and Patrick about a group secretly recording lawmakers in the Capitol, the flap over Gov. Greg Abbott's response to a U.S. military exercise and this profile of state Rep. Jonathan Stickland. Full Story
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Jim Wright, a Fort Worth Democrat who spent 34 years in Congress and became the 48th speaker of the U.S. House, has died. Full Story
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Texas appears poised to enact environmental legislation that could trigger an unintended consequence: more federal oversight. Full Story
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If state budget writers can't get a deal on the budget during the regular session, they'll have to come back to finish. And with the state economy slowing down, going into overtime could mean less money for tax breaks and state programs. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: California's drought response could foreshadow future action in Texas, a new study raises new concerns about fracking and drinking water and an interview with Antonietta Quigg, an oceanography professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston. Full Story
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