There's a new Texas House speaker in town
In the latest installment of our mini-documentary series, "Under the Dome," we chronicle the path state Rep. Dennis Bonnen took to become the next likely speaker of the Texas House. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Can the Texas Legislature override local ordinances?
It can and it has. Last year, Texas lawmakers voted to override several local ordinances with new statewide measures — including relaxing regulations for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. Full Story
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![Uber and Lyft, two San Francisco-based transportation networking companies, have launched services in several Texas cities.]()
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Does the Texas Legislature work full time?
Texas is one of a handful of states that convenes its Legislature once every two years. And in Texas, a session lasts only 140 days. Full Story
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![Senate Calendar Clerk Tracy Ortiz checks in a few Senate bills on her desk on July 10, 2017. The first-called special session of the 85th Legislature starts Tuesday, July 18th.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Analysis: More questions after #MeToo investigation of Texas Sen. Charles Schwertner
An investigation of a state senator accused of sending lewd texts to a college student ended without proving his guilt or his innocence, leaving some tough questions unresolved as the Texas Legislature starts its 2019 regular session. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, leading debate on urban ride-sharing rules in the Texas Senate on May 17, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
As most states raise their minimum wages, Texas refuses to budge
This year alone, 18 states increased their minimum wage and 30 states now have a minimum wage that exceeds the federal government's $7.25-per-hour rate. Many of Texas' major cities have boosted pay, too. Will the state follow suit? Full Story
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![Frances Sanchez and her three children (from left) Samaria or Sammy Sanchez, 9, Pedro Sanchez, 6, and Katrina Sanchez, soon to be 13, pose for a portrait in the home of a friend where they are staying in Garland.]()
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What's the point of Texas' rainy day fund?
Texas' Economic Stabilization Fund holds more than $11 billion and is the largest in the country. There's a lot of disagreement over how and when to spend the money. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas has failed to close educational gaps for kids of color. In Edgewood ISD, the fallout has lasted generations.
Edgewood ISD has faced consistent problems in preparing its students for college and the workforce. The district's struggles shine a light on Texas’ long record of neglecting schools that educate mostly students of color. Full Story
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![Carlos Lopez is a freshman at The University of Texas studying Biochemistry, while also holding down a part time job at HEB. He graduated high school from John F. Kennedy, a small school on the west side of San Antonio and feels unprepared for what he has experienced at UT. He studies at the Student Academic Center on campus, December 7, 2018. Although he feels his public education underprepared him for UT and an advisor suggested changing his major, he does not want to give up.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Carol Alvarado wins special election to replace Sylvia Garcia in Texas Senate
The Houston Democrat narrowly avoided a runoff Tuesday night as unofficial results showed she prevailed in the special election to succeed ex-state Sen. Sylvia Garcia. Full Story
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![State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, at a discussion of the impending special session hosted by The Texas Tribune on July 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: These Texas candidates are about to find out what they’ve really won!
The campaigns were long and hard, and now we know the winners. Let's look at what they're in for once they take office in 2019. Full Story
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![Texas House members huddled near the dais on Aug. 15, 2017. The House adjourned sine die one day before the Legislature's special session would have been forced to conclude.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Report highlights the trauma that thousands of Texas families have experienced with incarceration
Researchers reviewed prison data and surveyed more than 4,000 adults this summer to determine how incarceration affects family members of prisoners. Full Story
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![Jaden opens his gift bag from his father Jason Jackson. Volunteers collect and organize age appropriate items that fathers then put into gift bags the day before the Day with Dad.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
San Antonio ISD is innovating to integrate its schools. Is it leaving some behind in the process?
To stem the exodus of students to private and charter schools, San Antonio ISD is redesigning dozens of schools that now offer popular educational programs. Families and educators at those schools are thrilled, but people at other schools feel left out. Full Story
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![Brian Sparks is the principal at Lamar Elementary School in San Antonio. He helps out with cafeteria duties on the first day of school.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Jeff Leach resigns from the hardline Texas House Freedom Caucus, urging GOP unity
The Plano Republican told members of the Tea Party-aligned caucus that he was leaving the group because he thinks that his "time, talent and treasure is best devoted to fighting for those things within the Republican Caucus." Full Story
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![State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, is shown voting on the House floor on May 17, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: All Texas politics is national
The general election two years ago set Texas Republicans on a red-meat sprint in the 2017 legislative session. This year, the tone is quieter, and the agenda is laden with bread-and-butter issues. Full Story
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![Jokes, tears and even fights — watch the highs and lows of the 85th Texas Legislature]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
It took this Texas school district 48 years to desegregate. Now, some fear a return to the past.
Though students of color in Longview ISD still don’t have the same educational opportunities as white students, a federal judge dismissed a longstanding desegregation court order. Will the district succeed without it? Full Story
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![Longview beats rival Lufkin 35-28 for the season opener at Longview High School, August 31, 2018. Earlier this year the 1970 federal segregation order was lifted for Longview ISD.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates say the timing is right for independent oversight of Texas prisons
A bill aiming to detach the ombudsman from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice died in 2017. But news from the past year makes advocates hopeful that 2019 will be different. Full Story
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Beto O’Rourke. Julián Castro. John Cornyn. 2020 already looms large in Texas.
Texas Democrats and Republicans are already gearing up for an action-packed election cycle. Full Story
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![Left to right: Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso.]()
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Analysis: Texans who barely won in 2018 will be top targets in 2020
Winning an election by just a little bit can make a candidate a target in the next election. And this year's ballots in Texas were full of close finishes. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, reviews a list of bills while standing at the back mic of the Texas House on May 9, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Four candidates file for special election to replace Sylvia Garcia
The deadline was 5 p.m. Friday. Full Story
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TribCast: What does a Dennis Bonnen speakership look like?
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Matthew and Cassi about the likely next speaker of the Texas House, the start of bill filing for the 2019 legislative session and an incoming Texas congressman's stint on Saturday Night Live. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, just before a press conference to announce he has the necessary support to be the next speaker of the Texas House of representatives, on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: If you can’t win a race for Texas speaker, you’re not ready for the job
State Rep. Dennis Bonnen appears to have secured the votes needed to become speaker. Now, the hardest political challenges begin. Full Story
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![Rep. Dennis Bonnen R-Angleton speaks during SB1, the property tax debate on August 12, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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