The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Proposed federal regulations on payday lending could have an especially significant effect in Texas, where 8 percent of people have used payday loans, compared to 5.5 percent nationally, and fees are among the highest in the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/15/PaydayLending0021.JPG)
A Laredo-based bank is pushing back against criticism of its CEO's involvement in a fundraiser for Donald Trump, arguing that the CEO will stand up to Trump like he has to fellow Texas Republicans over the years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/05/TrumpTexas.jpg)
Texas taxpayers are still picking up the tab for defending the nation’s strictest voter identification law more than five years after Republicans fast-tracked it through the Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/24/5thCourt-Paxton.jpg)
Numbers can give you a full accounting of something without telling you what’s really going on, like when lawmakers talk about trimming budgets and saving money while diverting attention from whatever fell on the cutting room floor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/02/20160429-TXT-Richmond001.jpg)
Texas House candidate and former Killeen Mayor Scott Cosper has won a recount of his narrow victory over Killeen optometrist Austin Ruiz in last month's Republican primary runoff. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/25/TT-killeen-runoff-2.jpg)
Republican state Rep. Jason Isaac has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Austin's rules for ride-hailing companies, raising concerns that the city's "burdensome regulations" are anti-competitive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/IsaacJason1_TT_crop.jpg)
State lawmakers are poised to discuss ride-hailing for the second time in two weeks on Thursday, attention many expect to carry into the upcoming legislative session as some legislators attempt to wrest regulatory power from cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/15/RideHailApp-Lege.jpg)
Texas law prohibits car companies from selling cars directly. Customers have to go through an independent dealership instead. For three years, Tesla has been trying without success to change that by lobbying Austin. Now it's lobbying party activists. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0772.jpg)
Representatives from Uber and Lyft urged lawmakers to adopt statewide regulations for the ride-hailing industry during a Texas Capitol hearing on Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/08/Uber-Spokespeople.jpg)
Less than a month after Uber and Lyft left Austin over the city's regulations, at least six new companies offering similar services have launched in the city and are fighting for market share. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/06/RideShareReplacements.jpg)
Texas' top Senate Republicans on Monday upped the urgency on federal policymakers to do something about the Zika virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/02/aedes-aegypti-mosquito.jpg)
Here's full video of our June 3 conversation in Austin with Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Smiling_Ryan_Sitton.jpg)
State health officials are urging Texans to protect themselves from mosquito bites — but they aren't helping counties coordinate or pay for those protective measures. Full Story
Supporters of Texas' new campus carry law say the shooting at UCLA exemplifies how banning guns on campus only deters law-abiding people. Opponents say it shows why guns shouldn't be allowed on campus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/01/08/Sheridan1.JPG)
Declaring that "this fight is just beginning," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday escalated his battle against guidelines in Texas and across the country that allow students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/13/_BDE9841Patrick.jpg)
Most of the 218 races at the top of the state and federal sections of our general election ballots in November are not going to be competitive. Here's a look at those that are likely to be. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Redistricting_Map_Tweasers_jpg_800x1000_q100_1.jpg)
Some disability rights activists say state contracts paying people with disabilities well below minimum wage is exploitative and inhumane. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/13/7C2A1371_1.jpg)
Should taxpayers pay severance to state employees to take the sting out of unexpected job losses or to protect the uncovered tails of the elected officeholders who fire them? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/02/6F6A8878.jpg)
In a reversal, state Rep. Wayne Smith is now pursuing a recount in his narrow loss in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/10/Smith_v_Cain.jpg)
Full video of our 5/26 conversation with state Sen Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and state Senator Kirk Watson, D-Austin, a member of the committtee and its former vice chairman. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Seliger304Watson.jpg)