Texas’ savings account is poised to hit $15 billion. How much will lawmakers spend?
As lawmakers debate costly investments in property tax reduction and public schools, they're eyeing the state savings account for a sizable withdrawal. Full Story
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Point of Order: Everybody hates property taxes
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the chairman of the Senate Property Tax Committee, about off-the-charts appraisals and off-the-leash local officials — and whether his reform plan has the votes to pass. Full Story
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Texas Secretary of State David Whitley defends releasing flawed data about voter citizenship review
At his confirmation hearing, Whitley faced tough questioning from Democrats over his decision to erroneously question the citizenship status of tens of thousands of voters. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley attended a hearing with the Senate Committee on Nominations on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Whitley, but he must clear the committee and win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate to keep his job.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Corporations can’t donate to politicians. But $100,000 got them VIP treatment during Gov. Greg Abbott’s inauguration.
Donations to the inauguration are not deemed political contributions under state statute. And the inaugural committee, whose creation is mandated by law, is not required to make financial disclosures before this summer. Full Story
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![Air Force fighter planes fly over the state capitol during the Oath of Office Ceremony. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Governor Greg Abbott were sworn into their respective offices. Jan. 15, 2019. Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
"This is very personal to us": Santa Fe survivors are expecting results from the Texas Legislature
After last year's massacre at Santa Fe High School, survivors told lawmakers the school safety measures they want to see enacted during this year's legislative session. How many of them will become law? Full Story
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![Flo Rice, 56, poses for a portrait in her home in Santa Fe, TX. Rice was shot in her legs at a school shooting in Santa Fe that left 10 dead and 13 injured, and now advocates for more school safety and emergency training for substitute teachers.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: A conversation with three new Democratic Texas state representatives
Meet the 86th: A conversation with new Texas state Reps. Rhetta Bowers, Jessica Gonzalez and James Talarico, moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
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![From left: Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith moderates a discussion with newly-elected state Reps. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland; Jessica González, D-Dallas; and James Talarico, D-Round Rock, on February 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Watch Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's confirmation hearing
The secretary of state's office has faced criticism for its handling of efforts to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered voters. Now, Secretary of State David Whitley — a Gov. Greg Abbott appointee — faces a confirmation hearing. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley gavels in the 86th legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Needing Democratic support, Texas' secretary of state faces a rocky path to confirmation
Republican David Whitley faces questions from Democrats about how he handled an attempt to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered Texas voters. Full Story
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![Secretary of State David Whitley.]()
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TribCast: Beto meets Oprah
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Patrick, Cassi and Alexa about Beto O’Rourke’s visit with Oprah Winfrey, the latest on the lawsuits filed over Texas’ voter citizenship review, and the news out of the State of the State and the State of the Union. Full Story
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![Oprah Winfrey with former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke at Winfrey's "SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square" at the PlayStation Theater in New York City on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Photos Courtesy of OWN / JoJo Whilden -
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht calls for nonpartisan judicial elections, bail reform
In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections. Full Story
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![Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht speaks at the State of the Judiciary at the Capitol. Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Trump falsely said El Paso was a hub of violent crime before the border fence. Now he's holding a rally there.
This will be the president's seventh rally in Texas and his first in El Paso. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2019.]()
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In State of the Union speech, Trump continues hammering Congress over border wall funding
Raising warnings of out-of-control illegal immigration and soaring crime by immigrants — including debunked claims about El Paso's crime — the president tried to pressure Congress to end a stalemate over border wall funding and avert another government shutdown. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
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Beto O'Rourke says he's excited at the prospect of running for president. He'll decide this month.
O'Rourke, the former Democratic congressman and U.S. Senate candidate, discussed his 2020 deliberations Tuesday during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Full Story
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![Oprah Winfrey with former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke at Winfrey's "SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square" at the PlayStation Theater in New York City on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Photos Courtesy of OWN / JoJo Whilden -
Analysis: A State of the State address that’s short on surprises, long on collaboration
What Texas Gov. Greg Abbott didn't say in Tuesday's State of the State speech was important. School finance and property taxes were the big issues before the speech — and Abbott didn't stray from those subjects. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott names school finance, property tax reform emergency items
The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses members of the Texas legislature and judiciary at his State of the State address in the House chambers at the Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he's willing to work to revive the UT, A&M football game
The Texas governor made the declaration during his annual State of the State address. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019. He's accompanied by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The BLAKE Act falls short of applying to its namesake, Blake Farenthold
The bill, written to to prevent members of Congress from lobbying if they use taxpayer funds without paying them back, would not affect state employees — like Blake Farenthold. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold arrives to a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2017.]()
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Gov. Abbott, other Texas officials urge feds to clear way for Harvey money
The state has been waiting a year for the federal government to set rules for how $4.3 billion in disaster recovery grants can be spent. Full Story
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![A man walks through floodwaters after surveying his property in Rockport, which was hit by Hurricane Harvey, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.]()
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Courts have called Texas bail practices unconstitutional. Will that push this year's reform efforts to success?
Two years after a bail reform bill died in the Legislature, new bail legislation has other factors working in its favor. Full Story
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![Senator John Whitmire, D-Houston; Rep. Andrew. Murr, R-Junction; Chief Justice Nathan Hecht; and Justice Sharon Keller speak at a press confrence to announce legislation aimed at reforming the state’s bail system.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State address
Abbott stayed on message about education and taxes, and touched on school safety, disaster response and mental health programs. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses attendees at the Oath of Office Ceremony on the state Capitol grounds on Jan. 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune