Abbott Vetoes Four Criminal Justice, Public Safety Bills
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed four criminal justice and public safety bills, bringing to eight the total number of vetoes he has issued in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott in Pflugerville, Texas, for signing of open-carry bill on June 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson -
Law Allows More College Credits for High Schoolers
High school Advanced Placement students should be able to earn more college credits under a bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott this month, a change that will save students and universities millions of dollars. Full Story
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Capitol May Finally Get African-American Tribute
After more than 20 years of efforts to place a monument to African-Americans on Capitol grounds "littered" with Confederate tributes, state lawmakers have approved $1.5 million that should bring the African-American Texans memorial monument to fruition. Full Story
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![A model of the monument honoring African-Americans in Texas, on display at the Texas Capitol's agriculture museum]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Roundup: Tax Cuts, Denton Fracking, The Donald and Jeb!
In this week's Roundup: Billions in tax cuts are officially on the books, the city of Denton repeals its fracking ban and the field of 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls grows ever larger. Full Story
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Catch Up on Budget & Tax Issues From This Session
By the end of the 84th legislative session, state lawmakers reached many compromises on the 2016-17 budget and tax cuts. See what lawmakers decided — and how they got there — with our Texas Legislative Guide. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
New in Texas Weekly: After Vetoes, Fundraising Begins
Veto period ends for Gov. Abbott, officeholders start raising money next week and lawmakers are already announcing where they're running next year — all that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
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The Brief: June 19, 2015
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Donna Bahorich as the new chairwoman of the Texas State Board of Education. But the former staffer for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick drew criticism from one board member for not having enough experience. Full Story
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![Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda teaches her students the concept of "push" by having them join hands and push back and forth in her classroom at the Dallas Independent School District elementary school Cesar Chavez Learning Center in 2013.]()
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Abbott Names New Board of Education Chair
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Donna Bahorich, a former staffer for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the next chairwoman of the State Board of Education. Full Story
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The Ticket: The Donald, Jeb! and Julie Mason
This week on The Ticket: Two big name Republicans joined the 2016 primary field this week. We'll talk about Donald Trump and Jeb Bush with SiriusXM POTUS host Julie Mason. Full Story
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Cruz: Pray That Supreme Court Doesn't Legalize Gay Marriage
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz used the imminent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage to make his case to a socially conservative group on Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at the First in the Nation Republican Leadership Summit in Nashua, N.H., on April 18, 2015.]()
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Prosecutor: Grand Jury to Hear Paxton Case in July
A case against Attorney General Ken Paxton is heading to a grand jury next month, according to one of the special prosecutors investigating him. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's opening of its new building on April 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Ag Commissioner Rolls Back Ban on Deep Fryers, Soda Machines
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Thursday restored the option for public schools to serve certain fried foods and soda by lifting a decade-old statewide ban on deep fryers and soda machines. Full Story
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![Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller at Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth, June 5th, 2014.]()
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George P. Bush Steps Into Role as Dad's Surrogate
Land Commissioner George P. Bush made his debut this week as a surrogate for his dad's presidential campaign. The younger Bush hit the campaign trail in early-voting Nevada, making a pitch for his father in personal and political terms. Full Story
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![Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush speaks with Nevadans before a meet-and-greet on June 17, 2015, in Reno. He spent the day in the state stumping for his father, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.]()
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Supreme Court: Texas Can Ban Confederate License Plates
In a 5-4 ruling released Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court backed Texas’ decision to forbid specialty license plates sporting an image of the Confederate flag. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation About the Best & Worst Legislators
Full video of our 6/18 conversation with Erica Grieder and R.G. Ratcliffe, the lead authors of Texas Monthly's biennial list of the best and worst legislators. Full Story
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Law Extends Electric Bill Help for Poor Texans
Low-income Texans can enjoy a discount on their electricity bills for a little longer. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed legislation ensuring that the remaining balance of the state’s “System Benefit Fund” would go toward that purpose. Full Story
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![Longtime State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, details his plan to run for mayor of Houston during TTEvents conversation on April 30, 2015.]()
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When Home is a Post Office Box
The home address listed on a Texas driver's license used to be one of the best tools police had to track people down, serve warrants or notify next-of-kin when someone died. But no more in this job-hopping, mobile culture. Full Story
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Texas Reservoir Levels Rise as Drought Subsides
As recently as 2011, Texas endured the most intense drought in recorded state history. But the rainfall so far in 2015 has left less than 1 percent of the state in drought conditions. And Texas reservoirs are not far behind; they're collectively about 83 percent full. Full Story
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Analysis: Sitting Pretty, Even Without Old Friends
Many of the legislators who originally elevated Joe Straus into the House speaker's chair four legislative sessions ago are gone. But as he enters another election cycle with his eye on another term, Straus is in remarkably good political shape. Full Story
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![Speaker Joe Straus during June 9, 2015 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Catch Up on What Happened With Social Issues This Session
Legislation related to abortion and gay marriage led to some contentious debates during the 84th legislative session. Use our Texas Legislative Guide to see what lawmakers decided on social issues this session. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht