On first day of session, Gov. Greg Abbott talks priorities and politics
Abbott discussed his agenda for the 86th legislative session during an interview Tuesday with The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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Trump urges Democrats to fund border barrier, but stops short of ordering military to build it
In a televised address ahead of his trip to Texas, the president called border crossings a "humanitarian crisis." But Trump didn't declare an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border as the weeks-long partial government shutdown continues amid his stalemate with Congress. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a televised address to the nation from his desk in the Oval Office about immigration and the southern U.S. border on the 18th day of a partial government shutdown, at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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Layoffs start at the UT System administration, with more expected in the months ahead
Sixty-five positions are being cut this week. The reductions could go further than the 110 number originally anticipated. Full Story
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![The University of Texas System building in Austin on Feb. 7, 2018.]()
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James Talarico, youngest state representative in Texas Legislature, settles in for the 86th session
After besting Republican Cynthia Flores for his open Williamson County seat, the 29-year-old Democrat from Round Rock joined the Texas House on Tuesday amid plenty of jokes and words of wisdom. Full Story
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![State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, greets guests at his office in the state capitol. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. -
Tornillo tent city for migrant teens is on the verge of shutting down
After six months of controversy and protests, the tent city erected near a desert port of entry will close after federal officials can find new accommodations for more than 800 unaccompanied minors who crossed the border illegally. Full Story
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![Aerial view of the tent city at the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry in Tornillo on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. The shelter opened in June and has grown approximately 10 times in size, compared to file photos. Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House names Dennis Bonnen new speaker on celebratory opening day
Bonnen’s unanimous election marks a new era of Texas House leadership for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile, the leader of the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was conspicuously absent on opening day. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, is sworn in as House speaker by U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. Looking on is Speaker Bonnen's wife Kimberly.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Republican Congressman Mac Thornberry pushes back against idea of military building border wall
Thornberry, the former chair of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said "it is not a responsibility of the Department of Defense" to build the wall. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon.]()
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Photos from the new Texas Legislature's first day
Check out our photographers' shots of the visitors, the speeches and the election of the new speaker of the House. Full Story
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![Fog shrouds the state Capitol on the first day of the 86th Legislature, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Retirement and low pay caused Texas agencies to lose nearly 29,000 employees last year
Advocates for state workers are calling for increased pay after a State Auditor’s Office report released in December found that agency turnover was at 19.3 percent in the 2018 budget year. The top reasons employees said they left were retirement, better pay and benefits and poor working conditions. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Former Texas HHSC executive commissioner named acting director for Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services
Chris Traylor's new position comes after joining the federal government in July as deputy administrator for strategic initiatives at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Full Story
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![Chris Traylor, acting director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 22, 2012.]()
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Harris County's first Latina county judge takes the helm
Democrat Lina Hidalgo — a 27-year-old Colombian immigrant with a rich life story — will preside over her first Harris County Commissioners Court meeting as county judge on Tuesday. The political newcomer rode into office on a Democratic wave that swept the state's most populous county. Full Story
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![Newly-elected Harris Co. Judge Lina Hidalgo at the Harris County Administration Building in downtown Houston on Dec. 3, 2018.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Watch Texas House and Senate livestreams
During the 86th legislative session The Texas Tribune is streaming the Texas House and Senate chambers and providing live analysis during select events. Tune in here. Full Story
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Everything you need to know about the first day of the Texas Legislature
The 140-day sprint to the finish line will finally begin today, when state lawmakers convene in Austin for the Texas Legislature's 86th regular session. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
With strategic timing and some extra money, UT-Austin hopes it can encourage more low-income students to enroll
In the last six years, the number of needy students at UT-Austin — as measured by those who receive the federal Pell Grant — has decreased from 28 percent to 24 percent. Full Story
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![Tiffany Pham, a freshman nursing student at The University of Texas, was one of about 30 students who received an Impact Scholarship to UT. The scholarship recognizes students who have made an impact in their communities and covers the cost of tuition for four years at UT Austin.]()
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President Trump to visit U.S.-Mexico border Thursday
President Donald Trump is making a trip to the United States' border with Mexico on Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear whether he would visit Texas. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump arrives at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston on Oct. 22, 2018. Trump is in Texas to attend a rally at the Toyota Center.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Tomorrow Fund needs $211 million from the next state budget to close shortfall, comptroller says
The prepaid tuition plan is guaranteed by the state, so lawmakers will need to set the money aside when they write a new budget this year. Full Story
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![Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the Biennial Revenue Estimate for the 2020-21 biennium at the state capitol. Jan. 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As judge weighs the fate of a sweeping Texas abortion lawsuit, confusion remains
Amid a packed Austin courtroom Monday, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel told attorneys he was confused by their arguments in a sweeping lawsuit challenging dozens of Texas abortion laws. Full Story
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![Abortion access advocates pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. District Court in Austin. The court is set to weigh in on whether abortion funds and health care providers can challenge restrictions to abortion access. Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / Texas Tribune.]()
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Here’s how the federal government shutdown is affecting Texas
Court cases are slowing down and it’s taking some people longer to buy a home, but national parks are open and the Border Patrol is still working. Full Story
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Abbott calls Feb. 12 special election to replace Justin Rodriguez in Texas House
Rodriguez gave up the San Antonio seat after being appointed Bexar County commissioner last week. Full Story
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![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Here comes the Texas Lege
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the lead-up to the 2019 Texas legislative session, the state’s new arrivals to Congress and the latest presidential buzz out of Texas. Full Story
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![Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the Biennial Revenue Estimate for the 2020-21 biennium at the state Capitol on Jan. 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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