The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Four years after a legislative effort to keep Planned Parenthood from receiving state dollars for health care for low-income women, the Texas Senate is back at it — this time over funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings. Full Story
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In the wake of a contracting scandal at Texas' top health agency, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent a letter to the heads of all state agencies outlining reforms to the bidding and procurement processes. Full Story
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Lawmakers will consider ways to improve the state’s preparedness for public health emergencies. Dallas County officials identified shortfalls in the system last fall when the country's Ebola case was diagnosed. Full Story
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While it's still to be seen how Gov. Greg Abbott will move forward with the state's economic development tools, a team made up of a coalition of municipal economic development organizations is announcing a new effort to recruit businesses to Texas. Full Story
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When it comes to contracting, state agencies struggle with shopping for a vendor and monitoring that vendor's performance, the Texas state auditor's office says in a new report. Full Story
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At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about why open carry legislation isn't necessarily going to pass in the 84th session. Full Story
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At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about vouchers — and whether the 84th session's outcome on the issue might differ from that of the 83rd. Full Story
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Nearly two weeks after the House's base budget was released, Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson presented the Senate's plan, which she said sets aside $3 billion for "meaningful" property tax relief for Texas homeowners. Full Story
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At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about the possibility of tax relief as a component of the budget that will be passed by the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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Full video of my 1/27 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who talked about the change in Senate rules, vouchers, tax relief, transportation funding, open carry and more. Full Story
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It's a bribe when a lobbyist gives a public official something of value in exchange for a decision or a vote or some other official act. But there's an exception in Texas law that might surprise you. Full Story
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The state’s university systems bear the brunt of the costs of educating Texas veterans for free through the Hazlewood Act. And the well-regarded program has grown exponentially in recent years. Funding the program is poised to be an issue this session. Full Story
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The Texas House officially approved a resolution on Monday inviting Gov. Greg Abbott to deliver his State of the State address before a joint session of the Texas Legislature on Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. Full Story
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On 1/26, I talked about the future of higher education in Texas with Robert Duncan, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System; Juliet Garcia, the former president of the University of Texas at Brownsville; state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock; and Wynn Rosser, president and CEO of the Greater Texas Foundation. Full Story
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The session stipends for legislators are set to rise, and because of a loophole in Texas law, that would mean lobbyists could spend more on legislators without saying whom they are wining and dining. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the personal styles of Texas' new governor and lieutenant governor. Full Story
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After Jack Stick joined the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General, he incorporated sales quota-like performance standards for investigators. The effort got results, but reviews have been mixed and the initiative is being shut down. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's office on Friday announced new committee members. Among the new chairs: State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who will lead the Senate Education Committee. Full Story
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UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that Feb. 17 will be the runoff date for three special elections — Senate District 26, House District 17 and House District 123. Early voting will be Feb. 9-13. Full Story
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State lawmakers are considering a nearly $2.5 million plan to help answer a pressing question in some Texas communities: Why does the ground keep shaking? Full Story
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