Everything you need to know about Texas’ “sanctuary cities” law
Here’s everything you need to know about Senate Bill 4, a controversial immigration enforcement measure banning “sanctuary cities” across Texas. Full Story
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![Monserrat Garibay of Education Austin speaks in front of the Texas Governor's Mansion on May 8, 2017, after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4, known as the "sanctuary cities" bill, the night before.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Senate passes bill to eliminate most vehicle safety inspections
The Texas Senate on Thursday gave its blessing to a bill that would eliminate the state’s vehicle safety inspection requirement for most vehicles. It would still apply for commercial vehicles. Full Story
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![Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, shows his copy of the U.S. Constitution during the Open Carry Texas rally Jan. 13, 2017 at the Texas Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Sweeping anti-abortion bill heads to governor's desk
Texas senators voted Friday to send a bill banning the most common second-trimester abortion procedure and changing how health care facilities handle fetal remains to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 27, 2017. The committee is consider several bills related to long-term care facilities including S.B. 1130 by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and others.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Mark Keough not running for re-election in 2018
State Rep. Mark Keough, a Republican from The Woodlands, announced Wednesday he won't seek a third term in the Legislature. Full Story
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![State Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands, reads a letter to state health officials endorsing proposed rules on the burial of fetal remains.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
Dallas' failing pension fund poised for overhaul as bill heads for Abbott's desk
The House unanimously approved a Dallas pension bill aimed at preventing first responders' retirement fund from becoming insolvent within a decade. Full Story
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![Dallas police officers and firefighters protest their failing pension fund outside City Hall in Dallas on April 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Houston pension bill heads for governor's desk, but firefighters are still mad
The House passed a controversial Senate version of a Houston pension bill, angering firefighters. But in Dallas, leaders appear to have coalesced around a bill that once divided the mayor and first responders in that city. Full Story
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![Retired Houston firefighters and their supporters watch from the state House gallery on May 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Cornyn bets on Congress sending health care bill to Trump this summer
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn predicted a new GOP health care overhaul would pass Congress by the end of July. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks at a conference hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Jan. 13, 2017, at the Sheraton Hotel in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott signs bills aimed at addressing crisis in child welfare system
Two days after the end of the legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott held a public ceremony to sign four major child welfare bills into law. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs four bills aimed at reforming Child Protective Services, at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services headquarters in Austin on May 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro talks Trump investigation, 2018 (video)
Watch video of our conversation with U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, held in Austin. Full Story
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The Brief: Abbott to sign emergency child welfare bills
A couple days after the Texas Legislature gaveled out of its regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign a handful of legislation aimed at overhauling the state's embattled child welfare system. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott looks on as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Joe Straus shake hands at the Capitol on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
New in Trib+Water: Border wall threatens wetlands
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Trump's proposed border wall threatens wetlands in Presidio, a controversy at the comptroller's office over handling of rare species and an interview with Kate Zerrenner of the Environmental Defense Fund. Full Story
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Hey, Texplainer: How do I know if my bill died?
Have a bill you want to check up on? Here's how to check the Texas Legislature Online website to see if a bill you were following this session survived. Full Story
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![Bills stack up on the Senate dais on May 24, 2017. The Senate is facing a midnight deadline to consider House bills less than a week before the end of the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers again focus on criminals more than sex-trafficking victims
Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state's decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend. Full Story
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![The Harris County Jail houses more than 8,000 inmates at any given time. For three months last year, 17-year-old Lena was one of them.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
The winners and losers of the 85th session of the Texas Legislature
The highest-profile contest of the 2017 regular session of the Texas Legislature — between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus — could be headed into overtime. But there are still plenty of winners and losers from lawmakers' 140 days at the Capitol. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Texas appeals court: Ken Paxton judge must rescind recent orders
The appeals court did not explicitly order Gallagher's removal from the case but voiced agreement with Paxton's lawyers that he is "without authority to continue to preside over" it. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton entered a federal courthouse in Sherman on Sept. 2, 2016. Paxton's lawyers argued in a hearing that the federal civil fraud case against him should be dismissed.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Legislators show that men will be boys — if you let them
It’s hard to imagine a female Legislature devolving into a parking lot rumble like the one that embarrassed Texas nationally this week. The ruckus in the House punctuated what many lawmakers have called a notably ugly session. Full Story
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![Following a "sanctuary cities" ban protest in the gallery, lawmakers tussle on the House floor on May 29, 2017 — the last day of the 85th regular legislative session.]()
Credit: Nar Dorrycott -
The post-sine die TribCast (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the prospects for a special legislative session, Monday's dramatic House floor fight and Gov. Greg Abbott's comments at a gun range. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
Even before House scuffle, Rinaldi's seat was a high 2018 target for Democrats
State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, who drew national attention as part of an incident on the Texas House floor in which he said he reported protesters to ICE, represents one of 10 Republican-held House districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, on the floor of the House after a scuffle with some members of the Hispanic Caucus on the last day of the 85th Legislature, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: The 85th Texas legislative session ends with threats of violence
Accusations of racism, threats and violence shot through the lower chamber on a tense last day of the regular legislative session. Full Story
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![A large crowd turns out at Texas Capitol to protest Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
The most memorable moments of the 85th Texas Legislature
Oh, you weren't watching all 140 days of the Texas legislative session? We've got you covered — with the best floor fights, the most dramatic moments, the most emotional speeches and, of course, a bill about "masturbatory emissions." Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht