The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday began to detail interim charges for the Texas Senate, signaling he would like members to revisit some unfinished business from the most recent legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6517.jpg)
Tune in to "God & Guns" — part 2 of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' religious beliefs played into the gun rights debate during the 2015 Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TT-god-lead-guns.png)
On 10/6, I talked about the future of criminal justice policy in Texas with Derek Cohen of the Center for Effective Justice; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; Douglas Smith of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition; and State Rep. James White, R-Woodville. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/tt-event-criminal.jpg)
A Texas A&M University study reveals just how closely petroleum activity appears to be linked to collisions on crowded, crumbling roads in rural South and West Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/29/TT-Shale-Accidents-002.jpg)
God. Governing. At the Texas Capitol, the two seem intrinsically linked. It’s why we’ve spent months interviewing dozens of elected officials and scouring hours of legislative footage to produce a first-of-its-kind documentary project, “God & Governing.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/06/TT-god-tsquared-lead.png)
In the 2015 Texas legislative session, state lawmakers weren't shy about using their religious beliefs to defend their policymaking. Check out "God & Governing," our documentary series on the role lawmakers' personal faith played in their legislating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/05/TT-god-lead-overview.png)
In the 2015 Texas legislative session, state lawmakers weren't shy about using their religious beliefs to defend their policymaking. Check out "God & Governing," our documentary series on the role lawmakers' personal faith played in their legislating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TT-god-lead-overview.png)
We're livestreaming our conversation on the future of criminal justice in Texas at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TTE-N5Y-cj-leadart-02.jpg)
By the numbers, there are some federal and state legislative districts in Texas that can be considered competitive in November general elections. There just aren't many of them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/18/TTEvent_WillHurd206.jpg)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a request from a coalition of abortion providers to take up their legal challenge to the state’s strict abortion restrictions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt.jpg)
Wait times to get an abortion in Texas have grown in some metropolitan areas, a trend that could be felt statewide if the Supreme Court allows the strictest provision of the state’s 2013 abortion law to take effect. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/02/San_Antonio_ASC.jpg)
State Sen. John Whitmire might call a hearing and seek leadership changes at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department after multiple reports of youths fighting, climbing onto rooftops and running away from staff in large numbers at youth correctional facilities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/11/JuveJustice-Arrest-2.jpg)
Following an outcry from dozens of state lawmakers, Texas’ top health agency announced Thursday it will make less drastic cuts than originally planned to a therapy program for children with disabilities, even if that means spending more than lawmakers budgeted for the program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/07/MedicaidTexas.jpg)
Gun control supporters may have lost the fight to keep handguns off college campuses, but now some are pressuring administrators to create as many gun-free zones as possible. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/26/CampusCarry-PencilBullets-2.jpg)
Amid an ongoing lawsuit over deep cuts made by lawmakers this year to a therapy program for children with disabilities, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday offered a sternly worded defense of the Legislature’s move. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/04/7C2A7556.jpg)
A controversial agreement between the Travis County District Attorney's Office and Texas Mutual Insurance in which the company pays prosecutors to pursue its fraud cases will be suspended — at least for now, officials said Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/14/TT-p2p-revisit.jpg)
Safety advocates staged a “thirst strike” on the steps of Dallas City Hall Tuesday, calling on city leaders to guarantee periodic rest breaks for construction workers who toil for hours in the city’s sweltering summers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/15/Worker-2.jpg)
On 9/28, we talked about the future of environmental policy in Texas with the TCEQ's Toby Baker ; John Hall of the Environmental Defense Fund; state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria; and Mike Wetz of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Environment-TNFY-Screencap.jpg)
Carrizo cane sprouts along the banks of the Rio Grande, providing easy cover for smugglers and drug mules. A new state law says it should be eradicated, but lawmakers neglected to set aside any money for razing cane. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/24/Arundo_donax_CBMen_001.jpg)
Anti-establishment Republicans have tried three times to knock House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, out of the top job. Now they're entering an election season nearly five dozen votes short of what they need. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/SineDie046gavel.jpg)