Texas may still be giving state-funded pension to convicted elected officials
More than two dozen former elected officials convicted of felonies may be receiving taxpayer-funded retirement pay. But state law keeps the details secret. Full Story
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![Sen.Van Taylor R-Plano questions a witness during a Aug 3, 2016 Senate Committee on Education meeting]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Stadium exemption in "bathroom bill" won’t be enough, opponents say
An exemption for stadiums and convention centers in Texas' "bathroom bill" may not be enough to avoid economic fallout in the state, opponents warn. Full Story
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![AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home to the Dallas Cowboys, on October 25, 2016.]()
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Senate panel hears testimony on 3 abortion-related bills
Senate Health and Human Services Committee members heard emotional testimony from reproductive rights and anti-abortion advocates on Wednesday over Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 415 and Senate Bill 258. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Schwertner R-Georgetown listens to questions asked by Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin during a February 15, 2017 Senate Committee on Health and Human Services]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House budget proposal would defund Gov. Abbott's pre-K program
The House has proposed cutting all funding for a pre-K grant program that Gov. Greg Abbott has discussed as a priority this legislative session — setting the stage for a battle in the Legislature. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs House Bill 4, which adds funding for pre-kindergarten, into law at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Attorney General first in country to file brief backing Trump travel ban
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an amicus brief Wednesday expressing his support of President Donald Trump's travel ban, effectively becoming the first state attorney general to back the controversial executive order. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas lawmakers hear public testimony on abortion bills (live blog)
Texas lawmakers began this session's abortion fights in earnest Wednesday during the first committee hearing on three abortion bills. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Lawmakers can turn to a bag of tricks to balance state budget
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
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For Dawnna Dukes, a lukewarm welcome from Travis County delegation
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
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, outside the Travis County Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center before being arraigned on Jan. 18, 2017.]()
Credit: Tim Park for The Texas Tribune -
Juvenile justice agency pushes back on claims of ineffectiveness
A Senate Finance committee workgroup has been tasked with exploring ways to improve the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as the agency defends itself from claims of inefficiency. Full Story
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![Detainees are moved from location to location within the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center in Austin, Texas, Monday, June 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott blasts NFL for wading into "bathroom bill" debate
"The NFL needs to concentrate on playing football and get the heck out of politics," Gov. Greg Abbott told conservative radio host Glenn Beck. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and the official NFL logo.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune/The National Football League -
Study: A quarter of Texas public schools no longer teach sex ed
Nearly 60 percent of Texas public school districts used an abstinence-only sexual education curriculum, and a quarter taught no sex education at all, according to a study released Tuesday from the Texas Freedom Network. Full Story
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Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys among artists speaking out against Texas bathroom bill
Singers and actors including Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper and Alicia Keys have signed onto an open letter asking Texas lawmakers to reject Senate Bill 6 and other anti-LGBT legislation recently filed at the state legislature. Full Story
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![Singer Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017.]()
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Rainy Day Fund takes center stage at first House budget hearing
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
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![Longtime state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, in the House Chamber on Feb. 9, 2017. Zerwas was named chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee by Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Trump target or not, Burton has carved unorthodox path
Sen. Konni Burton's Senate career has been marked by a willingness to go her own way. Full Story
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![New Texas Sen. Konni Burton, c, stands with other incoming Senators during the swearing-in ceremony at the Texas Capitol Jan. 13, 2015.]()
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Reports of immigration raids whip across Texas, but details are sparse
Immigrant communities in Texas and nationwide are swirling with reports of large-scale immigration enforcement by federal agents, but so far details are scant and ICE says its activities are routine. Full Story
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![Austin City Council member Greg Casar comments on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Austin outside the Little Walnut Creek Branch Library on Friday, February 10, 2017. Casar and Council member Delia Garza joined community organizations to speak out against the ICE actions.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House bills lay out some initial plans to overhaul CPS
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
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After Super Bowl, NFL raises prospect of Texas "bathroom bill" impacting future games
An NFL spokesman on Friday said "discriminatory" proposals signed into law would be taken into consideration in awarding future events. Full Story
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![New England Patriots' James White (R) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 5, 2017.]()
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Texas parents: Help us understand your school choices
As we examine school choice proposals before the Legislature, The Texas Tribune wants to hear directly from families who would be affected by changing state and national policies. Full Story
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![Students enter a classroom at one of the 11 Houston-area campuses of Yes Prep, a public charter school system serving 7,000 low-income students.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes ethics reform and "sanctuary" cities bills (video)
Two of Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency items are already moving swiftly through the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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Like the Texas Legislature at large, committee chairs are mostly white men
Most of the members of the Texas Legislature are white men — and so are the committee chairs. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus have assigned committee chairs for the 2017 Legislature.]()
Credit: Illustration by Tim Park / Todd Wiseman