Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders rumble in health care debate
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday night debated the future of Obamacare with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent. Full Story
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![U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, debate the future of Obamacare on CNN on Feb. 7, 2017.]()
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Senate approves new UT System regents 29-0
The Texas Senate approved three new University of Texas System regents, even though some Democrats complained about the board's lack of diversity. Full Story
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Texas Senate approves anti-"sanctuary" legislation, sending bill to House
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate gave its final stamp of approval on Wednesday to a controversial bill that would gut funding from local and state entities that don’t enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, answers questions regarding Senate Bill 4, better known as the anti-"sanctuary cities" bill, on Feb. 7, 2017 in the state Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas legislators urged to "get it right" on child welfare at rally
Standing in front of the Capitol in 80-degree heat, attendees gathered at a rally sponsored by Child Protection Roundtable of Texas and the Texas Home Visiting Coalition urging legislators to make long awaited changes to how the state handles abused and neglected children. Full Story
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![State Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, speaks at a rally in support of overhauling Texas' child welfare system in front of the state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 7, 2016.]()
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First turned around by travel ban, Syrian refugee family makes it to Texas
For the Almohammad family, a hold on President Trump's refugee ban meant they were finally able to reach Texas and meet the volunteers who would help them call the state home. Full Story
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![The Almohammad family, a refugee family from Syria, arrives at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late at night on Feb. 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes ethics reform
The Texas Senate passed a bill that would take pensions away from officials convicted of felonies and require lobbyists to disclose more of their wining and dining of lawmakers. Full Story
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![State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, lays out SB 14, the Ethics Reform and Anti-Corruption Act, in the Texas Senate on Feb. 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Trump invites speculation after offering to "destroy" Texas senator
President Donald Trump invited a wave of speculation Tuesday at the White House when he volunteered to "destroy" the career of an unnamed Texas state senator in response to a state sheriff's complaint about the lawmaker. Full Story
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![Now-President Donald Trump is shown on Jan. 28, 2016, speaking to a group of veterans at Drake University during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
At homeland security hearing, McCaul calls Trump's travel ban rollout "problematic"
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, the top House Republican on homeland security issues, strongly criticized the Trump administration Monday for the chaotic rollout last month of a travel ban of mostly Muslim countries. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul at TTEvents discusses presidential candidate Donald Trump on Oct. 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hours before Senate vote, Texas Attorney General calls controversial immigration bill legal
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to ease concerns over whether a measure that would punish "sanctuary cities" and campuses could be successfully challenged in court. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke at a May 25, 2016, news conference announcing a lawsuit filed against the federal government over rules for transgender bathrooms in public schools.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
High-speed train developer withdraws lawsuits against Texas landowners
Texas Central says it will return to negotiating with property owners whose land may be needed for a rail line from Dallas to Houston, rather than seeking a court order to survey the land. Full Story
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![Japan Central's N700 high speed train, the same train that a private firm wants to bring to Texas.]()
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The Brief: Texas Senate will debate "sanctuary cities," ethics reform
The Senate is set to debate today two of Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency items: reforming ethics laws and banning "sanctuary cities." Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talks with the media during a press conference on SB 6, also known as the "bathroom bill," on Feb. 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
At the Texas Capitol, the union dues bill is back
Legislation to stop automatic payroll deductions for most public employee unions is back after failing two years ago. Supporters say the state shouldn't be involved in collecting union dues; opponents say the GOP is trying to cripple certain unions. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, the chairwoman of the Senate State Affairs Committee, listened to testimony during a Sept. 14, 2016, committee meeting.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas families are struggling to pay for college — but so is the state
Rising tuition is making it hard for parents and students to pay for college in Texas. But state funding is strained, too. So where will the money come from to grow enrollment and elevate Texas universities? Full Story
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![Tuition costs are rising in Texas as per-student state funding for higher education shrinks.]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune
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