Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, unveiled a plan Wednesday to boost transportation funding by dedicating some of the sales tax already collected on car sales to road work. Full Story
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Reeve, Ross, Neena and Emily discuss the backlash over comments made by a state representative on Texas Muslim Capitol Day, lawmakers' response to a controversial blog post, and the future of the state's economic incentive programs. Full Story
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Donald Keith Newbury, 52, who was part of the "Texas Seven" gang of prison fugitives, was executed Wednesday night for the 2000 murder of an Irving police officer. Full Story
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Government misadventures, like the current contracting scandals in Texas, don't make voters happy. But they don't necessarily hurt the people in office — especially when it's easy to hang the blame on the officeholders they replaced. Full Story
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Twelve years after a major mash-up of state health agencies, the Sunset Commission and several lawmakers say it's time to finish the job and merge the remaining five systems into one. Some veteran Capitol observers say they're feeling déjà vu. Full Story
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Texas doesn't require magistrate judges to tell immigrants how their pleas on misdemeanor charges might affect their immigration status. Legislation that would change that failed two years ago, but the sponsors are back for another try. Full Story
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Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin were rivals on the football field, but the state's two biggest schools come together every two years in the political arena for Orange and Maroon Legislative Day. Full Story
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The ability of Austin tech firm 21CT to secure a $20 million Medicaid fraud software contract through a no-bid program run by the state's Department of Information Resources drew intense scrutiny from Senate budget writers on Tuesday. Full Story
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Attorneys say immigrant children in Texas detention centers are being denied basic protections that are afforded to them under a nearly 20-year-old federal agreement. Full Story
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More than 30 families who have lost someone to distracted driving gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol to rally support for legislation that would ban texting while driving in Texas. Full Story
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Michael K. Young, president of the University of Washington, has been named the sole finalist to become the next president of Texas A&M University. Full Story
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National Democrats still reeling from their midterm clobbering are intent on picking up congressional seats in 2016, and their eyes already are on Texas’ only competitive congressional district, the 23rd. Full Story
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Senate budget writers on Tuesday described the state's growing contracting scandal as "embarrassing" and "out of control" while the head of an agency at the center of the scandal defended its procurement policies. Full Story
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As staffers packed up the official belongings of former HHSC general counsel Jack Stick, a question arose: What should be done with his custom black leather chair? Full Story
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If the state budget doesn't include tax cuts for businesses, he'll veto it, Gov. Greg Abbott told business leaders Tuesday. The new governor also wants to pare back state regulations. Full Story
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As we follow bills on public ed during the 84th legislative session, we'll keep you updated on legislation addressing educator quality. Stay caught up with our 84th Lege page and subscribe to our Trib+Edu newsletter for more education news. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers may be leading the charge to derail President Obama’s executive action on immigration. But the White House wants it known: Not everyone in the Lone Star State wants to scrap the policy. Full Story
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While state lawmakers have expressed interest in a widespread curtailing of the state’s economic incentive program, Gov. Greg Abbott is requesting $95 million for the state's film incentive program in the next budget. Full Story
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In a case that highlights the challenges Texas mineral owners face in ensuring oil and gas operators pay what they promise, the Texas Supreme Court has revived the claim of a man who alleges he was shortchanged on royalties. Full Story
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Two lawmakers in the Texas House have presented a plan for a major overhaul of early education in the state. The measure would create an incentive payment system for school districts offering full-day pre-kindergarten programs. Full Story
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