The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
The longtime state senator from Brownsville is hoping his upper-chamber clout can ward off two intraparty opponents questioning his Democratic credentials. Full Story
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After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he wants to change the system. Full Story
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In this video, The Texas Tribune dug into hemp and marijuana with lawmakers, crime lab scientists, criminal defense attorneys and hemp entrepreneurs. Full Story
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We traveled to El Paso for a daylong series of conversations on the economic, political and cultural significance and evolution of the border region. Full Story
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Watson has represented Austin in the Texas Senate since 2007. Full Story
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The family has pumped millions from its fracking fortune into Texas politics, backing hardline conservative candidates and causes. Now one member of the clan is vying for the House District 60 seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Lang. Full Story
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A couple of The Texas Tribune's political nerds highlight (their latest version of) the most interesting races up and down the 2020 primary ballot. Full Story
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Legislation passed last year increases university transparency and strengthens the state's definition of hazing. But advocates say when it comes to enforcement, kicking fraternities off campus isn't enough. Full Story
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It’s the question everyone’s asking across the state and at the Capitol: Will the Texas House flip? Watch our conversation with state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, and Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth. Full Story
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The question facing Texas Democrats: Can the party capitalize on the energy he brings out of his supporters while minimizing the counter-energy he seems to provoke from the right? Full Story
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The Texas Legislative Black Caucus hopes to pass the CROWN Act in the next legislative session. The bill would prohibit hair discrimination affecting people of color in schools and workplaces. Full Story
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A group of hardline grassroots activists has called on Patrick to be more outspoken on party priorities and worries that lines of communication appear to no longer be there. Full Story
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We're sitting down in Edinburg with lawmakers, thought leaders and medical professionals from all corners of the state for a daylong series of conversations on health care issues affecting Texas. Full Story
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The lieutenant governor said Thursday he may decrease the threshold to a simple majority if Republicans lose one or two seats in November. Full Story
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The U.S. senator from Massachusetts is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to get involved in the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story
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The reports, which were due Wednesday, provide the first fundraising checkpoint since the candidate fields were finalized last month. Full Story
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The pop star's contract with the city — long hidden by what critics described as gaping holes in the state's open-records laws — became public this week after new legislation governing the public's right to know went into effect. Full Story
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The man had told a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper that his truck contained hemp, not weed. He was released from detention after a federal crime lab tested the cargo. Full Story
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A Democratic super PAC is unveiling a TV ad that focuses on decades-old accusations authorities dropped against Gary Gates, the Republican running against Democrat Eliz Markowitz in the nationally watched contest for Texas House District 28. Full Story
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The new endorsements come a day after Castro, who ended his campaign last week, threw his support to one of Biden's opponents, Elizabeth Warren. Full Story
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