Straus Forms Select Committee on Mental Health
The committee will review and make recommendations on substance abuse, care for veterans, identifying illnesses early and improving delivery of mental health care. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5193ec9afa4282d37e9e30fc7b497db9/BD%20INC%20Straus%20Close%20Up%202013)
-
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: A Peculiar Way to Disenfranchise Voters
Texas lawmakers have designed a congressional district too slippery for either political party to control, making it impossible for anyone to stay in office long enough to build up the clout needed to get things done for the folks at home. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Redistricting_Map_Tweasers_jpg_800x1000_q100_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Texas Gets a D- Grade in 2015 State Integrity Investigation
Texas ranked 38th out of 50 in the latest State Integrity Investigation, an assessment of government accountability and transparency. That suggests that the state may be heading in the wrong direction when it comes to ethics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/PerryFinal490.jpg)
![Governor Perry delivers a final speech to a joint session of the Texas legislature on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Legislature Backs Abbott's Position On "Sanctuary Cities"
A majority of lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate back Gov. Greg Abbott's recent moves to rein in "sanctuary cities" that don't comply fully with federal immigration policies, a Tribune tally shows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/UP9A1335.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott is shown in November 2015 proposing reforms against "sanctuary cities" that he wants Texas lawmakers to consider in the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Seeks to Shape Republican Primary Conversation
Gov. Greg Abbott is planning to release a set of issues he would like Republican primary voters to prioritize next year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Abbott_Lubbock_GaggleTT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with reporters before a speech Friday in Lubbock. Abbott said he plans to release a list of issues he would like Republican primary voters to focus on next year.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
Patrick Says He Tried to Draft Nelson for Lieutenant Governor
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick revealed Friday he tried to draft state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to run for lieutenant governor last year before he decided to enter the race. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Nelson_FlatteringTT.jpg)
![Happy Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, watches passage of SB 1 budget bill on a 30-1 vote April 14, 2015. Lone no vote was Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Texas Racing Pines for Political Fix
A pending set of gubernatorial appointments could end the current round of brinksmanship over what kinds of gambling are allowed in Texas, but it won’t solve the long-term problem facing the state's troubled racing industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Horse_Race_TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Appeals Court Backs Ethics Commission in Dispute with Activist
A state appeals court ruled Thursday that conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan lives in Austin despite his claims otherwise, so his dispute with the state Ethics Commission will play out in Travis County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/UP9A7502.jpg)
![Michael Quinn Sullivan at the Texas Tax Day Tea Party Rally at the Texas Capitol on April 15th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Closer Look at Turnout for Tuesday's Election
About 430,000 more Texans voted Tuesday than in the 2013 constitutional election. Hear more about turnout and see how many Texans voted — by county — on Proposition 7, which directed more money to the state highway fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/30/2015-10-231-2.jpg)
![Voters cast their ballots in Harris County on Oct. 23, 2015. Photo by: Shelby Knowles]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Ahead of 2017 Session, Straus Issues Directives for Texas House
House Speaker Joe Straus issued more than 150 interim charges Wednesday, directing committees to study issues such as the effectiveness of border security operations and the impact of the plummeting cost of oil on the local economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/UP9A7921.jpg)
![Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is shown during a June 9, 2015, interview with The Texas Tribune.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Dubious Future for Historical Racing in Texas
If lawmakers do nothing to restore the budget of the Texas Racing Commission, the agency will shut down. If it shuts down, the tracks around the state are barred from conducting any wagering. They can sell sodas, but not much else. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Horses.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Rebecca Wilson -
Amendments Sail to Easy Passage
Voters overwhelmingly favored seven changes to the Texas constitution, including measures that will cut property taxes, boost funding for road projects beginning in 2017 and let state officeholders live outside of Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/I-VotedSticker.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Cook Re-election Bid Already Rancorous
Protestors, police citations, dog poop. The race is young, but state Rep. Byron Cook's re-election bid promises to be noisy and messy as conservative activists target him for defeat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/22/IMG_0094.jpg)
![State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, on the House floor, May 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
State Auditor John Keel Resigning After More than Decade
After more than a decade at the job, State Auditor John Keel plans to retire as of Jan. 4, his office confirmed Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/05/D54H1029.jpg)
![Texas State Auditor, John Keel gives testimony regarding CPRIT to Senate finance committee hearing on February 5th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
In Red River Dispute, "A Cloud Over This Land"
Along a disputed stretch of the Red River, one Clay County farmer got his land back from the federal government. Can his neighbors follow suit? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/05/HendersonBLMDispute_0226.jpg)
![Texas landowner Tommy Henderson speaks to a gathering of politicians, landowners and others at a bridge over the Red River near Byers, Texas, on April 28, 2014.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Health Care Track
The Health Care track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on the Legislature, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. We also featured a conversation with Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/31/health.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Justice Track
The Justice track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on criminal justice reform, the Legislature, open carry, and gay rights and states' rights. There was also a conversation with several Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/29/justice_XABV4kW.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Transportation Track
The Transportation track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival included panel discussions on high-speed rail, transportation planning, urban mobility and the Legislature. Listen to audio from each session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/29/transportation.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
Commission Begins Study of Wrongful Convictions
The Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission Thursday paid tribute to its namesake – who was wrongfully convicted in a 1985 rape case – and began setting a vision for its role in prevent further wrongful convictions in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/tim.cole_3.jpg)
![Timothy Cole]()
Credit: Illustration by Courtesy of the Cole family -
Paxton Files to Intervene in Austin Tax Lawsuit
Accusing the city of Austin of trying to "take control over Texas tax policy," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office asked a court Thursday to allow it to intervene in the city's lawsuit challenging the state's property appraisal system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/29/UP9A0115.jpg)
![Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton, speaks at The Texas Response: Pastors, Marriage & Religious Freedom event at the First Baptist Church in Pflugerville, Texas on September 29, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera