Harless Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House
Weary of Republican infighting, state Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, announced Monday that she won’t seek re-election next year. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott: No Special Session on Same-Sex Marriage
Gov. Greg Abbott told a San Antonio radio station on Monday that he won't call a special session on same-sex marriage restrictions, even though conservative leaders pleaded via letter for him to do so. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Rinaldi vs. Ratliff Rematch for Texas House Seat
Bennett Ratliff will run for the Dallas-area House seat he lost to state Rep. Matt Rinaldi by just 92 votes in the 2014 GOP primary, the Coppell Republican announced Monday. Full Story
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Analysis: Debating the Legislature's Grades
The Texas Legislature left Austin last week after a regular session considered conservative by nearly everyone involved. So why is it getting bad grades from so many conservatives? Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a Texas Tribune event on June 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Despite Early Momentum, Energy Legislation Flames Out at End of Session
Who killed the House and Senate's top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers. Full Story
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![A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles.]()
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Analysis: Taking Stock of the Ethics Session
The governor asked lawmakers to put ethics reform at center stage this year. They filed bills. They even voted in favor of some strong restrictions on lobbyists' and officeholders' official behavior. But most of it never got to Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at the Security Operations Center at the Department of Public Safety on May 12, 2015.]()
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Video: Patrick on the Senate's "New Day"
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick enumerated the Texas Senate's accomplishments in the 84th Session. Full Story
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Video: Patrick on His Conservative Critics
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rebuffed conservative criticism of the 84th Legislative Session. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Dan Patrick
Full video of my 6/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Among the topics discussed: 84th session accomplishments, conservative criticism, the Senate vs. the House, the 2016 presidential race and why he's not running against Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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Straus Files for Another Term as Speaker
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has filed the paperwork to officially seek another term presiding over the lower chamber. If he wins, it will be his fifth. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus, right, with state Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Sen. Fraser Decides Against Running for Re-election
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday he is not running for re-election, bringing to a close a 27-year tenure at the Capitol. Full Story
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![Sen. Troy Fraser R-Horseshoe Bay on floor April 23]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Vetoes Overdose Defense, Emergency Detention Bills
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed two bills on Monday, including one aimed at encouraging people to call 911 during drug overdoses, even if they are in possession of illegal substances themselves. Full Story
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A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
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In a More Conservative Legislature, Few Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
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Health Budget Kicks Can Down Road, Experts Say
On balance, health care for the neediest Texans didn't fare well this session. Departing lawmakers leave behind a Medicaid budget that most experts agree is too low, and they predict it will spawn a hole in the state budget that will have to be filled later. Full Story
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The Session is Over, but Our Coverage Lives On
During the 84th legislative session, the Tribune kept you updated daily on the various policy debates and legislative votes at the Texas Capitol. Use our Texas Legislative Guide to see all of that coverage, discover the fate of every bill and learn even more. Full Story
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Fracked Again, Denton Says Fight Isn't Over
Seven months after a rag-tag group of local activists scored a surprising victory over the state’s powerful oil and gas industry when Denton voted to ban hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas company Monday resumed operations under a state law passed to overturn Denton's ban. Full Story
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![Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process.]()
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Video: Wrapping Up the 84th Legislature
Lawmakers in the State Capitol spent the final day of the 84th Legislature making speeches and saying farewell to colleagues who aren’t seeking another term. But before Monday, there was plenty of debate and bills passed on issues that impact every Texan. Full Story
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Abbott Opposes Curbs on Dark Money
Republicans went to war with one another over the idea of disclosing dark money. But they probably needn't bother. Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Monday that he thinks the idea is unconstitutional. Proponents of shining a light on it disagree. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs HB4, which adds funding for pre-K, into law at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin Texas May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Patrick: I'm Not Running Against Abbott in 2018
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to reporters after the Texas Senate wrapped up the 84th legislative session on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera