The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
The state’s top leaders have vowed to address the woeful shortcomings of the child welfare system. State lawmakers know that even in a tight budget cycle, they're going to have to spend money to address the problems. Full Story
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Most of Texas' top state leaders tallied some formidable numbers in their latest campaign finance reports. Full Story
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Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee. Full Story
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Texas House Speaker Joe Straus told the Texas Association of Business that the "bathroom bill," a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was not his most urgent concern for the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
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A new bill would mandate that people use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” A business group and families with transgender members are working to oppose it. Full Story
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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
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday pitched the "bathroom bill" to the Texas business community, which has vocally opposed the effort to regulate bathroom use. Full Story
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Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security. Full Story
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Mary Garcia, an Arlington woman who was struggling to keep her lights on after the demise of Lite-Up Texas, said she is overwhelmed by the help she has received from those who read her story. Full Story
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As a case against State Rep. Dawnna Dukes is scheduled to get a grand jury hearing on Tuesday, some of her constituents worry the case will distract her from fulfilling their needs. Full Story
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Since President Obama took office in 2009, the state of Texas has sued his administration at least 48 times. Here's a look at each of those cases. Full Story
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The so-called bathroom bill has drawn national attention to the Texas Legislature. But what would the proposed bill actually do? We've annotated the text to explain in plain English how the bill would impact communities across Texas. Full Story
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Not everything is stuck in silos, but following particular groups is a way to cut through the sheer volume of good and bad ideas that steam up the Texas government’s windows every two years. Full Story
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A year and a half after Sandra Bland was found dead in the Waller County Jail, Texas lawmakers are expected to consider new jail reforms. But rural sheriffs worry the state’s tight budget situation could result in unfunded mandates. Full Story
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Texas children facing abuse and neglect are going to be a major issue during the 85th Legislative Session as legislators grapple with less funding, a federal court case and troubling headlines about failings at the Department of Family and Protective Services. Full Story
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In the midst of all the gloomy state budget news, this stuck out like a gold nugget in a cow patty: Rising property values in the state’s school districts translate into higher local tax revenue, cutting the state's obligation to education. Full Story
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News of a possible wind farm development near a northwest Texas Air Force base has raised concerns about protecting military properties from outside development. Related legislation is poised to be a part of this legislative session. Full Story
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In the Roundup: Lawmakers gathered in Austin this week to begin the 85th Texas legislative session, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fires back at criticism of the "bathroom bill." Full Story
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Full video of Evan Smith's 1/12 conversation with University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator. Full Story
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A bill in the Texas Legislature would institute a $25 million grant program to pay for bulletproof vests for all patrol officers in Texas. Full Story
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