Ruling could mean new execution date for man convicted in prison guard's murder
A death row inmate convicted in a Texas prison guard's murder lost another appeal Wednesday at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Full Story
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![Robert Pruett, seen here in a 2013 interview, was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of correctional officer Daniel Nagle.]()
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Texas House backs crowdfunding measure to test more rape kits
A bill that would crowdfund money from Texans to deal with a state backlog of thousands of untested rape kits tentatively passed the Texas House Wednesday on a voice vote. Full Story
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![State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, authored a House bill that would allow crowdfunding for rape kit testing in Texas.]()
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The Brief: Texas alcohol regulators could lose funding for out-of-state travel
Among the 400-plus amendments filed to the House's proposed state budget, two legislators filed amendments that would cut off future out-of-state travel by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Full Story
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New in Trib+Water: Hays County water battle renewed
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: New water bills are renewing a battle at the Capitol over pumping in Hays County, bipartisan congressional effort launched against Trump water program cuts and an interview with Julie Nahrgang of the Water Environment Association of Texas. Full Story
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How the Texas "bathroom bill" compares to North Carolina's revised law
After North Carolina revised its controversial bathroom law last week, the NCAA announced it would again consider the state for future championship games. So is the proposed Texas bill more like the new North Carolina law or its predecessor? Full Story
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![Bathroom stall at the Austin Convention Center.]()
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Texas Senators to debate bill that would narrow definition of "psychology"
A Texas Senate committee will take up a bill Wednesday that would redefine "psychology" in response to a court ruling that found parts of the state's current definition are unconstitutional. Full Story
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Analysis: A teen’s death — and a failure of policy
The death of a teen on the run from the state's foster care system stirs deeper questions: Why aren't these programs working, and who will be held to account for that? Full Story
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Senate panel approves bill banning bestiality in Texas
"These are serious crimes," said state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, the bill's author. "The state's response should be as well." Full Story
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Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
Postpartum depression bills get hearing before House lawmakers
House Public Health Committee members heard testimony on three measures — House Bill 2466, House Bill 2604 and House Bill 2135 — that would aim to increase access to postpartum depression screenings and treatment for mothers. Full Story
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Jet setting liquor regulators could see wings clipped by lawmakers
All the jet-setting and partying by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, as depicted in an internal flier the agency produced, would come to a screeching halt under budgetary amendments filed Tuesday by state Reps. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Ramon Romero Jr., D-Fort Worth. The lawmakers have filed amendments aimed at cutting off the TABC's out-of-state traveling privileges and the agency's reliance on outside groups to host conferences in Texas.]()
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Lawmakers consider requiring Texas schools to test water for lead
Advocates for mandatory water testing say schools are particularly vulnerable because so many of them are aging and have older pipes and water fountains. Full Story
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House Education Committee backs bill overhauling A-F system
The House Public Education Committee passed a bill to overhaul a proposal to give schools and districts grades between A and F, to try and get educators on board with the accountability system. Full Story
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![House Committee on Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty at a hearing on March 21, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Senate approves two-year tuition freeze, 1% cap on increases after that
The Texas Senate voted 29-2 to freeze tuition for two years, and then cap tuition increases at 1 percent plus inflation after that. The idea will now go to the House, where leaders are skeptical of tuition freezes. Full Story
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Judge denies request to dismiss some felony charges against Rep. Dawnna Dukes
A Travis County judge denied a request to dismiss four of the 13 felony charges against state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Feb. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Senate passes court security bill named in honor of Austin judge who was attacked
The Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act of 2017 passed the chamber Tuesday. Full Story
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![District Judge Julie Kocurek, who was severely injured in a 2015 shooting, greets state Rep. Tomas Uresti after she was mentioned in Chief Justice Nathan Hecht's State of the Judiciary speech on Feb. 1, 2017.]()
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She voted illegally. But was the punishment too harsh?
Rosa Ortega, 37, voted illegally in Texas and has become the national face of voter fraud, a crime that President Trump and other Republicans believe is an epidemic endangering the integrity of American elections, even though no evidence supports the claim. Full Story
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![Rosa Ortega is hugged by her daughter Gracie Garza, 12. Son Rene Garza, 16, stands next to them.]()
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House approves bill focused on mental health insurance benefits
Texas House members approved a bill that would prevent health insurance companies from offering mental health benefits differently from medical benefits. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Conversation event with Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, on January 26, 2017]()
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Lozano and Seliger on higher ed funding, affordability, Hazlewood (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 4/4 conversation with chairs of the House and Senate higher education committees: J.M. Lozano, Republican of Kingsville, and Kel Seliger, Republican of Amarillo. Full Story
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The Brief: Bathroom access? Border security? Abortion? It's all in the budget amendments.
Bathroom access? Border security funding? Abortion? You'll find these issues and more in the 400-plus amendments Texas House members have filed as they prepare to consider the chamber's budget. Full Story
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![Tourists wander through the state Capitol rotunda in Austin on Jan. 9, 2017, the eve of the 85th Texas Legislative Session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Outlook good for statewide texting-while-driving ban, key lawmakers say
Key lawmakers are optimistic about the passage of a bill that would ban texting-and-driving across Texas, despite failed attempts over the last few sessions. Full Story
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Credit: Tim Park for The Texas Tribune
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