Texas Legislature

School finance, property taxes and the other priorities of the state's top officials are still in play, but some issues are in peril as the Texas Legislature enters the final week of its 86th regular session.

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The legislation includes a provision to allow local governments to continue operating cameras until they finish out any contracts in effect as of May 7.

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Republicans in the Texas Senate passed the bill Thursday with the support of two Democrats. If the Texas House concurs with minor changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to the governor.

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“I don’t think twice about spending the money on those kids, other than it’s unfortunate that I have to do it," one teacher said.

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The controversial and wide-ranging Senate Bill 9 has been pitched as an election security measure, but critics have raised concerns about the effects it could have on marginalized voters.

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Legal battles over whether the developer can use eminent domain still loom over the project.

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Behind the 181 members of the Texas Legislature, thousands of people work to keep the Capitol humming during legislative sessions. The work isn't always glamorous, but many view their small roles in helping state government function as an honor.

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A bill aims to lengthen the amount of time people can sue someone who sexually abused them when they were children. But the House stripped language extending the limit for certain entities that may be culpable.

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Some of the central issues are momentous, but the 86th Texas Legislature has managed — so far — not to lose its temper. That's out of the ordinary, but for a group of politicians who don't want to be compared to their federal counterparts, it counts as a kind of success.

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Once knocked as detached, the governor has become more involved in a legislative session hinging on two big-ticket items he's prioritized: school finance and property tax reform.

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The bill addresses many of the conditions of the state's incarcerated women. It would also require the department to offer up to 10 free feminine hygiene products to women each day.

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Legislation swapping higher sales taxes for lower property taxes flopped this week, and for lawmakers, it flopped in the best way possible: They never had to cast a vote.

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The so-called tax swap wouldn't make a big difference in average Texans' tax bills, according to a new analysis. But it would shift the tax burden from higher-income households to the less well off.

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Texas legislators have two versions of their sales-tax-for-property-tax swap in motion, and if they run out of time, lawmakers have more tricks in their pocket. If they don't get the property tax cuts they want, it won't be because of end-of-session deadlines.

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A panel of three judges heard arguments in the high-stakes fight that could return Texas to the days of federal supervision of its political maps.

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The upper chamber passed a bill Wednesday that would add several restrictions on the popular, but controversial, machines. The measure would require scooter renters to be at least 16 years old and it would prohibit more than one person from riding at a time.

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On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ayan, Aman and Matthew about the Legislature's progress on property taxes and school finance reform, the state’s decision to end a botched voter citizenship review and the fate of marijuana decriminalization in the Texas Senate.

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Registration for the 2019 Texas Tribune Festival is open now. Our ninth annual convening of big names and brains talking big ideas is absolutely going to be the best yet.

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Is paid sick leave on life support? Did "constitutional carry" advocates shoot themselves in the foot? With just weeks to go in the session, lawmakers are handling the pressure to get their bills across the finish line in different ways.

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Texans need to know who’s vying to represent them and how their policies would affect people's daily lives. That's where we come in.

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