Sports-betting advocates return to Capitol with narrower bill, new Republican author
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance threw its weight behind new legislation Monday to let voters decided whether to legalize online sports betting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f7e4e3090581e39a88bafb90d2764d8/Senate%20Action%20SP%2038%20TT.jpg)
-
![From left: Rep. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, discuss a property tax bill on the Senate floor on July 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ private and rural schools again brace for a showdown on school choice
Rural school leaders in Texas have been able to stave off the legislative priority of some of the state’s most prominent Republicans. But private school officials hope this year will be different. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0cc72a8510d5880a535781e6f8457636/0127%20School%20Choice%20Lifkin%20CO%2008%20TT.jpg)
![Jacey Eagle, a freshman, takes a test during advanced biology as students attend classes at Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas, U.S., on Friday, January 27, 2023. Public school officials in rural areas like Lufkin face budget challenges because of proposed school choice legislation, which provides taxpayer-funded alternatives to sending a child to a local public school.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
Two years after Texas’ voting rights showdown gripped the nation, lawmakers again push dozens of elections bills
State policymakers have mapped out familiar territory early in the legislative session, with Democrats seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledging to make elections more secure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/daf8694e208e21608d0244e1fcc9acfd/SB7%20Dem%20Broke%20Quorum%20Presser%20MG%2005.jpg)
![State Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Austin after Democrats broke quorum in opposition to Senate Bill 7, a sweeping GOP voting bill. May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Help us identify what matters most to Texans during the 2023 legislative session
We would like to know more about what you’re seeing in your community to help guide our reporting during the 88th legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/13e56e69caa3adc922f5d581fdb4458d/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%2006.jpg)
![House Sergeant Robbie Breslin standing guard in the back hallway of the House chamber of the Texas Capitol on opening day of the 2023 Texas legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP launches radio attack ads against Republican state House speaker
The radio ad, which criticizes Phelan for appointing Democratic committee chairs, prompted pushback from Republican colleagues in the House over why the state party would use resources to attack its own member. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6f78f19fe472af3703edfd84b35875a/Matt%20Rinaldi%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Former state representative Matt Rinaldi spoke to demonstrators at the Governor’s Mansion in protest of Gov. Abbott’s executive orders to close businesses and mandate masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers want to end state holiday commemorating Confederate veterans
For the third straight legislative session, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston, has filed a bill to end Confederate Heroes Day as a state holiday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8586467ec20aea0936b798a2a27bda7a/Terrys_Texas_Ranger_Confederate_Statue_1910_State_Capitol_MG_TT.jpg)
![A monument to the 8th Texas Cavalry, also known as Terry's Texas Rangers, is located on the south side of the state Capitol grounds.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House speaker addresses prospects of anti-LGBTQ bills, gun legislation and casinos
At the start of his second term leading the lower chamber, Dade Phelan talked to reporters about several legislative issues that will be decided this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b9aaea75ef77be808d04357caf2768bf/0111%20House%20Floor%20EL%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, presides over the House during a session at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakers
House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, snuffed out a monthslong push Wednesday to end the chamber’s longtime tradition of having committee chairs from both parties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ee9df91e706cd294b7359f1bba6c820/Texas%20Freedom%20Caucus%20Presser%20MGO%20TT%2007.jpg)
![State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at a Texas Freedom Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Aug. 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
As the share of white Texans continues to shrink, the Legislature remains mostly white and male
In the 2023 legislative session that convened Tuesday, 70% of lawmakers are men. More than half of the Senate and House members are white, and nearly half are white men. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1fa20899646dd43ee87c3bc10d0e9831/0110%20%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Opening Day of the 2023 Texas Legislature at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Oaths, M&Ms and a historic Quran: Texas’ freshman lawmakers begin their inaugural legislative session
New Texas House members were sworn into office Tuesday, including some who have already made history. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dccc5c6aebe3a34270815ea88e94ff98/0110%20Salman%20Bhojani%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-HD92, speaks with Usama Malik, resident chaplain of Muslim Space, before participating in an interfaith ceremony the morning of the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Look up your representatives in the Tribune’s elected officials directory
Look up information about every statewide elected official, every member of the Texas Legislature and every Texan in Congress and see who represents you. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/10ccfdf5a2728929cf1371f4cd52a98b/House%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House selects Rep. Dade Phelan as speaker for another legislative session
Phelan defeated Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, for the House leadership position in a vote, 145-3. In cruising to victory, Phelan secured the support of Democrats as well as the most conservative members of his party. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2bfdf9738a480e104df1fab41d17d8ff/0110%20Phelan%20Elected%20EL%20TT%20reedit%2004.jpg)
![Representative Dade Phelan is sworn in as the 88th Speaker of the House, at the state Capitol in Austin, on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Live video from the Texas House and Senate
The Texas Tribune is streaming the 2023 legislative session live from the Texas House and Senate chambers. The session runs from Jan. 10 to May 29. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/edfc9b8b54d6eb5381e4a4bf7af4cf16/texastribune-placeholder.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws
Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e141c09ca44a9cf3e64b450d5f291ae0/House%20Floor%20Abortion%20Bill%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A visitor of the House gallery listens to legislators speak during a debate on an abortion bill being considered on the House floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Four new Texas House members discuss immigration, property taxes and public school financing
They talked about their campaigns and journey to the Legislature, what has stood out to them so far about working in the House and what they hope to accomplish this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8a4643b448d6b894aa31a72314929cf/1-17_FourNewMembers_Leadart-02-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas House Democrats enter session with bipartisan hopes — and a new leader who’s prepared to fight
There are 64 Democrats in the 150-member House, one fewer than before the election. There is also one fewer Democrat in the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba303356cc918c34b0f2a74f789262a1/07_Martinez_Rodriguez_Presser_Property_Tax_Reform_MG_TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, speaks at a press conference in reaction to a property tax reform proposal by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. The trio laid out their proposal earlier in the day. Jan. 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democratic Caucus elects Trey Martinez Fischer as its new chair
Martinez Fischer replaces Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who has led the caucus since 2017 and did not seek reelection. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f9f323cca6833f15e8f5b9672268d697/SB7%20Dem%20Broke%20Quorum%20Presser%20MG%2002.jpg)
![State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Austin after Democrats broke quorum in opposition to Senate Bill 7, a sweeping GOP voting bill. May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Republican Caucus backs Dade Phelan as Texas House speaker
Republican members of the Texas House endorsed Phelan’s bid for reelection in a nonbinding vote on Saturday. An official vote from the entire Texas House will take place in January. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7c6a0e37ee3f6afa885d8f0a48d358/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks to the House of Representatives during opening ceremonies as the 2021 legislative session begins. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Losing Republican candidate wants Texas House to void results of his race
Mike May, who lost to Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal by 6,000 votes, wants the Texas House to order a new election. State law allows such an appeal, but the House hasn’t approved one in more than 40 years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fa8d320914812a771ad7950d038cbf6e/Mike%20May%20and%20Jon%20Rosenthal%20TT.jpg)
![From left: Republican Mike May and Texas House District 135 incumbent Democrat Jon Rosenthal.]()
Credit: Social media -
By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.
Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8d57e60382e14dfe4c41874dd1e6b81/Second%20Special%20Day%20One%20JV%20TT%2015.jpg)
![House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels the House into session on Saturday, August 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune