San Antonio, Austin suing Texas over immigration law
The cities of San Antonio and Austin have announced they will file suit to stop the state's new immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4. Full Story
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![The floor of the state Capitol is packed with protesters opposed to Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Abbott signs bill to eliminate straight-ticket voting beginning in 2020
After years of Texas voters having the option to vote for an entire party's slate in one fell swoop, the straight-ticket option will be no longer available beginning in 2020 under a bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed Thursday. Full Story
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![Travis County voters cast ballots at Travis County Tax Office on Feb. 25, 2016.]()
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For daily fantasy sports sites, legal limbo in Texas set to continue
A bill that would have affirmed the legality of some popular fantasy sports sites in Texas died this legislative session, continuing a murky legal landscape for players in the state. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Video: UT Chancellor McRaven talks about his future, state's higher ed budget
Watch video of our conversation with University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven. Full Story
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McRaven on his UT System future: "I want to see the direction the board is going"
With about half a year left on his contract, University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven said no decision has been made about his future of his job. "I have to find out if the board wants me to stay," he said. Full Story
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![UT System Chancellor William McRaven at the Austin Club on June 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: The Legislature went after ethics reform this session. Did they do enough?
Lawmakers passed broad reforms this year that would increase transparency and conduct among their own ranks. But watchdog groups say they didn't go far enough. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs several bills reforming Child Protective Services in a ceremony with state legislators at the Department of Family and Protective Services headquarters on May 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Ethics reform not swept under rug, but not sweeping either
Nearly four years after Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Legislature to pass meaningful ethics reform, he's finally got some of it on his desk. But it's not as sweeping as the watchdogs wanted. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill that cracks down on inappropriate student-teacher relationships on May 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
In the Texas Capitol this year, university leaders' worst fears never materialized
University leaders were worried about tuition freezes, funding cuts and other major changes this past legislative session. For the most part, they didn't happen. Full Story
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![Inside the student center at the University of Houston campus.]()
Credit: University of Houston -
State Rep. Mark Keough not running for re-election in 2018
State Rep. Mark Keough, a Republican from The Woodlands, announced Wednesday he won't seek a third term in the Legislature. Full Story
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![State Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands, reads a letter to state health officials endorsing proposed rules on the burial of fetal remains.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
Dallas' failing pension fund poised for overhaul as bill heads for Abbott's desk
The House unanimously approved a Dallas pension bill aimed at preventing first responders' retirement fund from becoming insolvent within a decade. Full Story
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![Dallas police officers and firefighters protest their failing pension fund outside City Hall in Dallas on April 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Houston pension bill heads for governor's desk, but firefighters are still mad
The House passed a controversial Senate version of a Houston pension bill, angering firefighters. But in Dallas, leaders appear to have coalesced around a bill that once divided the mayor and first responders in that city. Full Story
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![Retired Houston firefighters and their supporters watch from the state House gallery on May 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Cornyn bets on Congress sending health care bill to Trump this summer
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn predicted a new GOP health care overhaul would pass Congress by the end of July. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks at a conference hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Jan. 13, 2017, at the Sheraton Hotel in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott signs bills aimed at addressing crisis in child welfare system
Two days after the end of the legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott held a public ceremony to sign four major child welfare bills into law. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs four bills aimed at reforming Child Protective Services, at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services headquarters in Austin on May 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro talks Trump investigation, 2018 (video)
Watch video of our conversation with U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, held in Austin. Full Story
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The Brief: Abbott to sign emergency child welfare bills
A couple days after the Texas Legislature gaveled out of its regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign a handful of legislation aimed at overhauling the state's embattled child welfare system. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott looks on as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Joe Straus shake hands at the Capitol on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
New in Trib+Water: Border wall threatens wetlands
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Trump's proposed border wall threatens wetlands in Presidio, a controversy at the comptroller's office over handling of rare species and an interview with Kate Zerrenner of the Environmental Defense Fund. Full Story
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Hey, Texplainer: How do I know if my bill died?
Have a bill you want to check up on? Here's how to check the Texas Legislature Online website to see if a bill you were following this session survived. Full Story
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![Bills stack up on the Senate dais on May 24, 2017. The Senate is facing a midnight deadline to consider House bills less than a week before the end of the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers again focus on criminals more than sex-trafficking victims
Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state's decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend. Full Story
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![The Harris County Jail houses more than 8,000 inmates at any given time. For three months last year, 17-year-old Lena was one of them.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
The winners and losers of the 85th session of the Texas Legislature
The highest-profile contest of the 2017 regular session of the Texas Legislature — between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus — could be headed into overtime. But there are still plenty of winners and losers from lawmakers' 140 days at the Capitol. Full Story
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Texas appeals court: Ken Paxton judge must rescind recent orders
The appeals court did not explicitly order Gallagher's removal from the case but voiced agreement with Paxton's lawyers that he is "without authority to continue to preside over" it. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton entered a federal courthouse in Sherman on Sept. 2, 2016. Paxton's lawyers argued in a hearing that the federal civil fraud case against him should be dismissed.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune