The latest Texas House of Representatives news from The Texas Tribune.
By delaying a diversion of sales tax money for transportation projects, Texas Senate leaders said they had an additional $2.5 billion to spend on needs such as health care and schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/14/Nelson_and_Whitmire_SB2_MKC_TT.jpg)
Though the proposals are unlikely to get very far, House Democrats are again pushing for a minimum wage increase in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/14/CampaignFinance-PavedWithMoney.jpg)
A bill in the state Legislature would require that Texas-labeled wines be made from 100 percent Texas-grown grapes, rather than 75 percent under current law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/08/HB_1515_-_Texas_vineyards_Rich_14_TT.jpg)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/28 conversation with state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/_95I3053TT.JPG)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/23 conversation with Texas House Appropriations Chair John Zerwas, R-Richmond. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/_BDD6773.jpeg)
With an official forecast that less money will be available, the next state budget is tight. The finance folks are looking for money to make it balance, but don't fret: They've got plenty of tax-avoiding, budget-balancing tricks in their bags. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasMoneyTree.jpg)
Dukes’ presence in the House is a sensitive topic for her colleagues in the Travis County delegation because of the 12-term Democrat’s legal issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/18/DukesIndictment8.jpg)
Budget writers in the Texas House are considering tapping the state's savings account because they have a lot less money at their discretion this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/09/__BDP2411_zerwasTT.JPG)
Texas representatives have filed legislation to start an overhaul of the the state’s Child Protective Services, following a crisis that has left thousands of kids at risk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/03/18/FosterCare-HoldHand.jpg)
Most of the members of the Texas Legislature are white men — and so are the committee chairs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/08/CHAIRS-Patrick-Straus.jpg)
State Rep. John Zerwas is the Texas House's new Appropriations Committee chairman, and Rep. Dan Huberty is the new chairman of the House Public Education Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/04/Texas_House_pre_85.jpg)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/7 conversation with first-term state Reps. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, Justin Holland, R-Rockwall, and Victoria Neave, D-Dallas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_Shot_2017-02-14_at_8.08.14_AM.png)
Legislation to stop automatic payroll deductions for most public employee unions is back after failing two years ago. Supporters say the state shouldn't be involved in collecting union dues; opponents say the GOP is trying to cripple certain unions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/14/7C2A4971.jpg)
The debate over education savings accounts and other voucher programs is only peripherally about educating kids. It's really a debate about money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/24/Shcool_Choice_Rally_LS_TT.jpg)
Texas state leaders are debating several important issues in a very public way, delivering their messages to one another through rallies, press conferences, trade association meetings and the media. Get your popcorn ready. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/24/Abbott_School_Choice_LS_TT.jpg)
For lessons in how to speak positively about bad news — without telling lies — you might consider studying at the feet of the people who write the Texas budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetTexas.jpg)
In their first-day numbers, the Texas Legislature's two chambers didn’t even agree on the size of the current budget. The House baked in some supplemental expenses that the Senate left that out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Money-Capitol-3d-Budget.jpg)
State Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Tyler Republican, proposed a rule Wednesday requiring people in the Capitol to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex during a House floor debate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/11/UP9A0177.jpg)
The Texas Tribune's photographers were on hand at the state Capitol on Tuesday to capture scenes from the opening day of the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Rolando_Pablo_SOS_TT.jpg)
House Speaker Joe Straus won a fifth term in that post on the first day of the legislative session. And unlike his predecessors, he's more secure politically now than when he started in 2009. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Straus_swearing_inTT.jpg)