Analysis: An election without a mandate for Texas lawmakers
Some elections are referendums on issues, public votes that give lawmakers a good idea of what voters want. This election isn't one of those. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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In Texas House races, vulnerable Republicans bolster financial standing
Endangered Republican lawmakers in Texas have strengthened their financial footing with just over a week until Election Day, according to campaign finance reports released Monday. Full Story
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![The south entrance of the Texas Capitol.]()
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Familiar names spar in Galveston-area state House race
Rep. Wayne Faircloth, a Republican who's held the House District 23 seat for just one term, is hoping to thwart a comeback bid by former Rep. Lloyd Criss. Full Story
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![State Rep. Wayne Faircloth, (l) R-Galveston, and his Democratic challenger, former state Rep. Lloyd Criss.]()
Credit: Facebook, campaign website -
Democrats hoping to pick up Texas House seats
Between expected high turnout and Donald Trump, Democrats see chances for modest gains in the Texas House. Full Story
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In Texas, early voting begins in extraordinary election season
On Nov. 8, Texans will finally find out what impact Donald Trump's presidential campaign has had on their reliably Republican state. Full Story
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![Campaign signs outside a polling place at Zilker Elementary School in Austin on March 4, 2014.]()
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Analysis: High property taxes start in Austin, not in school districts
State lawmakers complain that local property taxes need to be leashed. But state lawmakers are more responsible for the increases than they let on. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Warring ads turn up heat on competitive Dallas County House race
An out-of-district house and a Child Protective Services vote are the topics of competing campaign materials from incumbent Republican Rep. Kenneth Sheets and his opponent, Democrat Victoria Neave. Full Story
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![Democrat Victoria Neave is challenging state Rep. Kenneth Sheets, R-Dallas in House District 107.]()
Credit: Victoria Neave/Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Rising local school property taxes ease state budget woes
State officials would like to lower local school property taxes, but they've got a secret: Some of those local school tax revenues make it easier to balance a tight state budget. Full Story
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![Ramon Cavazos teaches a middle school business class in the Olfen Independent School District in Rowena, Texas, on Jan. 20, 2016.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Dukes resignation scrambles Austin state House race
Eleven-term state Rep. Dawnna Dukes will probably win re-election in the heavily Democratic 46th House district, even though she's announced her retirement. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin and Republican challenger Gabriel Nila]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doubles down on school choice fight
Days after a House hearing in which lawmakers gave the issue skeptical treatment, Patrick made clear private school choice topped his list of legislative priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick offers a preview of the 85th legislative session at a Dallas Chamber of Commerce event at the Belo Mansion on Oct. 20, 2016.]()
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Candidate offers, then rescinds, polo match invitation to state lawmakers
“Unfortunately you were provided with 4 tickets which were not intended for your office,” read the letter slipped under legislators’ doors. Full Story
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![September 15, 2016 Conversation event Kyle Biedermann R-New Braunfels]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A lavish benefit for Texas lawmakers could get even bigger
Regulators are deciding how much lobby wining and dining Texas lawmakers can accept without revealing their names. Hint: It's a lot. Full Story
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![State senators and staff listen to testimony at a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing reviewing current ethics laws governing public officials and employees on Oct, 5, 2016.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune -
Competitive statehouse races come to light in finance reports
A new wave of campaign finance reports is bringing into focus how competitive some state legislatives races are. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Texas agencies want option of keeping departed employees on payroll
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office and four other agencies were questioned Wednesday about granting departing employees “emergency leave” as a form of separation payment. Full Story
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![The inside of the Texas Capitol Building on March 29, 2016.]()
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Trooper's attorneys might ask judge to toss indictment in Bland case
Attorneys for the state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland are considering asking a judge to throw out his indictment for perjury. Full Story
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![Former Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Brian Encinia leaves court after his arraignment at the Waller County Courthouse in Hempstead, Texas Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2016.]()
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Analysis: In Texas, Lawmakers Regulate Their Own Regulators
The Texas Ethics Commission regulates legislators. Legislators control the commission's laws and budget. It's a complicated relationship. Full Story
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![State Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, listen to testimony at a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing reviewing current ethics laws governing public officials and employees on Oct, 5, 2016.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In Texas, You Can Fight City Hall
The Texas Legislature has become the court of last resort for companies and industries fighting local regulations in the state's cities and counties. And for those interests, Austin can be a very favorable venue for appeals. Full Story
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![A gas well is shown in 2014 sitting less than 400 feet from a home in Denton.]()
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Texas Lawmakers to Highlight Education Spending Divide
The state’s escalating dependence on local tax dollars to fund public schools is expected to be a focus during a joint hearing of two House committees Wednesday and Thursday. Full Story
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![House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, pulled down a school finance bill during the 84th legislative session on May 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
African-American Monument Being Installed at Texas Capitol
After more than two decades of effort by lawmakers to install a monument at the Capitol celebrating African-Americans, the main components of a bronze and granite memorial were quietly lowered onto the south lawn on Tuesday. Full Story
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![Sculptor Ed Dwight talked with workers who were installing the Texas African-American History Memorial Monument at the Texas Capitol on Sept. 27, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Game of Chicken Between Texas, Its Biggest School District
Voters in the state's largest school district can say no to sending money to other school districts, putting Texas lawmakers in a bind and — maybe — raising their own school taxes in the process. Full Story
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![Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles
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