Texas House passes child welfare reforms
The Texas House on Thursday passed a package of sweeping measures aimed at addressing a crisis in the state's child welfare system. Full Story
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Author of effort to peel back Top 10 Percent Rule says his bill is dead
State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, says he doesn't have enough votes to repeal or peel back the Top 10 Percent Rule for college admissions. Full Story
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![State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, discussed higher education issues during a Texas Tribune event on April 4, 2017. Seliger is chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Rick Perry throws support behind bills to reform criminal justice in Texas
In a Houston Chronicle op-ed, Perry endorsed two measures moving through the Texas Legislature: one that would seal certain offenders' records and another that seeks to make the grand jury process more fair. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry addresses media at a press conference following the unveiling of his official portrait at the Texas Capitol on May 6, 2016]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
How'd the House do? A conversation about the 85th legislative session (video)
We livestreamed our end-of-session discussion with state Reps. Rafael Anchia, Geanie Morrison and Matt Rinaldi. Full Story
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The Brief: Texas House tentatively passes child welfare reform
After a lengthy debate, a package of sweeping measures aimed at addressing the state's child welfare system crisis passed the Texas House on Thursday. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers facing talk of a potential special session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says state lawmakers might be staying in Austin past May 29 if some key measures, including the “bathroom bill,” don’t pass the House. Full Story
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Analysis: Property tax relief doesn’t equal extra money in your pocket
There's a simple test to tell you whether the promise of a tax cut is really a tax cut: Is there money in your hand? Full Story
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![At a May 17, 2017, news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters that the House had to pass two items — property tax reform and the "bathroom bill" — or he'd look to force a special session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House halts effort to ensure access to public information
The Texas House has thwarted an effort to patch what some called “glaring loopholes” in public records law, recently punched by the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
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Educators take issue with Senate plan for school assessment
Educators and advocates found it hard to concur on the Senate's version of House Bill 22, either finding it too restrictive and tied to standardized tests or not quite strict enough. Full Story
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![State Sens. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood (center), and Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville (right), during a Senate Education Committee meeting March 21, 2017.]()
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House backs proposal requiring seat belts on school buses
The Texas House on Thursday tentatively backed legislation that would require three-point seat belts be installed on new school buses across the state. Full Story
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![Eanes ISD school bus mechanic Chase Roberts washes the dirt off the advertising on buses in West Lake Hills, Texas, on Feb. 14, 2012.]()
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Senate budget writers approve bill to plug two-year-old funding holes
The Texas Senate Finance Committee has voted to spend about $800 million in state funds to cover a Medicaid shortfall in the current two-year budget. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, visits in the House chamber with state Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, on April 25, 2017. Nelson is co-chair of the conference committee working out the details of Senate Bill 1, the state budget.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
After waiting 3 days to see dead son, grieving mom hopes to change Texas law
Currently, parents need permission from a justice of the peace or medical examiner to see their deceased child if his or her death occurs outside a hospital or health care institution. Full Story
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![Wyatt McDaniel died in an accident while playing in a sand pile with his little brother on Jan. 25, 2013. His mother, Lara McDaniel, was not able to view his body until after his autopsy and is advocating for Texas lawmakers to adopt "Wyatt's Law."]()
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The Brief: One of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's must pass bills is up in the House today
The House will take up a property tax bill today that could push the 85th legislative session into overtime if it doesn't pass. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 13, 2015.]()
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Slideshow: On the border, wall plans welcomed by some, feared by others
In four border counties, people who live and work along the Rio Grande are greeting President Trump's plan for a new border wall with everything from trepidation to relief. Full Story
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Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
UT Chancellor McRaven faces unfamiliar scrutiny in last year of his contract
University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven is facing new questions from his board of regents about spending and staffing levels, which come as he nears the end of his three-year contract. Full Story
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![UT System Chancellor William McRaven at a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 5, 2015.]()
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Texans greet plans for Trump's wall with tears, fears or open arms
From the Rio Grande Valley to West Texas, Texans who live along the Rio Grande are preparing for the possible border wall — some eagerly, others fearfully. Full Story
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![Maria Villarreal at her Val Verde County home along the Rio Grande on April 21, 2017.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Senate sends bill creating statewide ride-hailing regulations to governor
After a debate among lawmakers over the best way to regulate services like Uber and Lyft, the Texas Senate tentatively backed a proposal that would override local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, visits with State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, after Senate passage of HB 100, which would regulate ride-hailing companies statewide.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers resume efforts to provide Texans with toll road relief
Amid debate on a routine measure designed to keep the state's transportation agency in business, House lawmakers on Tuesday renewed their efforts to curb the growing number of toll lanes in the state. Full Story
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![State Reps Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, and Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, negotiate with House members with amendments to SB 312, the Texas Dept. of Transportation sunset bill on May 16, 2017. Pickett is a member of the House transportation committee and Gonzales is overseeing sunset legislation.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Patrick threatens to force special session over tax, bathroom bills
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened to push for a special legislative session to pass bills to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans and set new thresholds for when cities and counties must get voter approval for tax rates. Full Story
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![At a May 17, 2017 press conference at the Capitol, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warns he'll seek a special session if the House doesn't pass certain legislation.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
A special session on the horizon? (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Aman and Jim about the House-Senate end-of-session fireworks, Ag Commissioner Sid Miller's recordings on hog poison and Sen. John Cornyn's decision to bow out of consideration for FBI director. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman