Texas House, Senate budget plans tens of millions apart on prisoner health care
The Texas House wants to give the state prison system $160 million more to help care for inmates. The Senate wants to cut funding. Full Story
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![Inmates walk down a hallway at Brazoria County's Darrington prison in July 2017.]()
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Will Texas' attempt to shake up school finance lead to higher stakes for standardized tests?
The idea of tying a portion of funding to test scores appeals to some who want to improve student performance, but it enrages educators who say it will encourage teaching to the test. Full Story
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![Commission member Todd Williams of Dallas, left, meets with TEA Commissioner Mike Morath and State Sen. Royce West at the Texas Commission on Public School Finance on Jan. 23, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Trump administration opposes a return to federal oversight for Texas redistricting, reversing Obama-era stance
The Trump administration no longer supports requiring Texas to obtain federal approval of changes to its legislative and congressional maps. Full Story
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5 candidates file in special election to replace state Rep. Justin Rodriguez
Rodriguez, a San Antonio Democrat, was appointed earlier this month to fill a seat on the Bexar County Commissioners Court. Full Story
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![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Domestic abusers can trap their victims with financial debt. This Texas bill seeks to provide a way out.
A bill authored by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would make it a felony to threaten a romantic partner into taking on debt or financing expensive items like cars. Full Story
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Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers indicate they may use rainy day fund for school security, hurricane recovery and teachers' pensions
Hurricane Harvey, school safety and teacher pensions all made the list of priorities likely to receive funding from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund. Full Story
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![Short meeting of the Legislative Budget Board to take stock of the health of the Texas economy for 2019 as likely incoming speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, greets Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: How Dan Huberty wants to fix school finance
In our new podcast, Point of Order, Evan Smith asks Dan Huberty, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, what it will take — and what it will cost — for state lawmakers to solve the state's most intractable problem. Full Story
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In increasingly diverse Texas, the Legislature remains mostly white and male
Here’s a look at the demographics of the 86th Legislature by lawmakers’ race, gender, age, education and religion. Full Story
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Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Dennis Bonnen promise unity in 2019 legislative session
Texas' top three leaders are eager to show they're on the same page as the 86th legislative session begins. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Watch Greg Abbott, Dennis Bonnen and Dan Patrick speak at a joint news conference
Watch live coverage of a news conference featuring Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, courtesy of KXAN-TV. Full Story
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![The Texas state Capitol on the first day of the 86th legislative session on Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House votes to strengthen sexual harassment investigations
The chamber voted on a resolution that moves misconduct complaints to a committee with subpoena power. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen presiding over his first votes as speaker of the house. Jan. 9, 2019. Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune.]()
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On first day of session, Gov. Greg Abbott talks priorities and politics
Abbott discussed his agenda for the 86th legislative session during an interview Tuesday with The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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James Talarico, youngest state representative in Texas Legislature, settles in for the 86th session
After besting Republican Cynthia Flores for his open Williamson County seat, the 29-year-old Democrat from Round Rock joined the Texas House on Tuesday amid plenty of jokes and words of wisdom. Full Story
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![State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, greets guests at his office in the state capitol. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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Everything you need to know about the first day of the Texas Legislature
The 140-day sprint to the finish line will finally begin today, when state lawmakers convene in Austin for the Texas Legislature's 86th regular session. Full Story
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Abbott calls Feb. 12 special election to replace Justin Rodriguez in Texas House
Rodriguez gave up the San Antonio seat after being appointed Bexar County commissioner last week. Full Story
![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
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TribCast: Here comes the Texas Lege
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the lead-up to the 2019 Texas legislative session, the state’s new arrivals to Congress and the latest presidential buzz out of Texas. Full Story
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![Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the Biennial Revenue Estimate for the 2020-21 biennium at the state Capitol on Jan. 7, 2019.]()
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Two years ago, the Texas Legislature started with a bang. This year, it's quieter.
Lawmakers have coalesced behind school finance and property taxes as top priorities, a stark contrast with the hot-button social legislation that headlined the 85th Legislature in 2017. Full Story
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![Left to right: Outgoing House Speaker Joe Straus, presumptive House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a Legislative Budget Board meeting in Austin on Nov. 16, 2018.]()
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Justin Rodriguez leaving Texas House after being appointed Bexar County commissioner
The San Antonio Democrat was selected to replace Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, who died last week. Full Story
![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
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"I don't do this for fun." Patients are hopeful Texas will expand access to medical cannabis
The Texas Legislature is about to kick off its first session since three licensed marijuana dispensaries opened in the state, providing cannabis products for hundreds of patients. Now advocates are hopeful that lawmakers are ready to dramatically expand that program to thousands more Texans who stand to benefit. Full Story
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![Joshua Raines, an Afghanistan combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, smokes from his marijuana vape pen after returning home early from his son's choir performance due to experiencing PTSD symptoms.]()
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8 file in special election to replace Carol Alvarado; 3 sign up for Joe Pickett's seat
There will be special elections on Jan. 29 in two Texas House districts to fill vacant seats, and the filing deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday. Full Story
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![State Sen. -elect Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and outgoing state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
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