With major policy differences emerging, state leaders continue to project unity
Halfway through the legislative session, lawmakers say they're getting along. But they have a long way to go to achieve their goals this year. 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 -
A federal safety net funds health care for uninsured Texans. Time is running short to negotiate its renewal.
A federal program known as the 1115 waiver helps pay for the costs of providing health care to the uninsured. Advocates want the Texas Legislature to order a renegotiation of the waiver, which partially expires in 2021. Full Story
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![Kristal Macaluso, phlebotomist at Western Hills Clinic, reorganized medical supplies, Monday March 11, 2019. The clinic is a part of Tarrant County MHMR and serves low income clients with behavioral health and substance abuse needs.]()
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Democrats hold on to Texas House seat in San Antonio special election runoff
Democrat Ray Lopez won the special election runoff Tuesday night for the seat formerly held by state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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![Ray Lopez is the Democratic candidate seeking election in District 125.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
In special election runoff for Texas House seat, Democrats work to avoid repeat of 2018 upset
Tuesday's special election runoff for House District 125 is drawing many comparisons to the state Senate race that Democrats lost last year — but this time, the party isn't leaving anything up to chance. Full Story
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![From left: Fred Rangel and Ray Lopez.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas Legislature wasn’t built for harmony. It was built for debate.
As the Texas Legislature digs into the busiest half of the session, early harmony is giving way to difference and debate. The House and Senate are easing into their traditional roles — as rivals. Full Story
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![Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Gov. Greg Abbott addresses members of the Texas legislature and judiciary at his State of the State address in the House chambers at the Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate leaders unveil $1.8 billion package of disaster relief bills
In the first session since Hurricane Harvey, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and three top senators are pushing a legislative package aimed at preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Senators Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham and Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, hold a press conference to announce the filing of Senate bills 6, 7, and 8. Mar. 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas may soon have to report the temperatures inside its uncooled prisons
The requirement was included in a budget amendment approved by a House subcommittee Wednesday. Full Story
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![Prison staff and inmates move through the Darrington Unit's main hallway on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Jolie McCullough/The Texas Tribune -
Democrat Christina Morales wins Texas House seat formerly held by Alvarado
Carol Alvarado gave up the seat in December after winning a promotion to the Texas Senate. Full Story
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![Christina Morales.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Houston voters to decide Tuesday between 2 Democrats for Carol Alvarado's Texas House seat
Democrats Christina Morales and Melissa Noriega are on the ballot Tuesday for the Texas House seat previously held by now-state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. Full Story
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![Melissa Noriega and Christina Morales. Jan 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott blames DPS for voter roll snafu. But the story behind the citizenship review is complicated.
A miscommunication and an ignored warning led to the questioning of thousands of citizens' voting rights. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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The top places Texas lawmakers go to wine, dine and deal during legislative session
Not everyone in the Texas Legislature gets deals done under the dome. Some lawmakers are drawn to bars, clubs and restaurants around the state Capitol for the quiet or the queso. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers have tried to end daylight saving time for years. Can they do it this session?
State lawmakers are again trying to abolish daylight saving time in Texas, arguing it's antiquated. But supporters of the practice argue it gives Texans a crucial extra hour of light in the evenings during the summer months. Full Story
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Greg Abbott sets March 12 as date of special election runoff for San Antonio state House seat
The race pits Republican Fred Rangel against Democrat Ray Lopez for the seat formerly held by state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. Full Story
![From left: Fred Rangel and Ray Lopez.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: The battle over the Texas border
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Poncho Nevárez, chair of the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, about the president’s emergency declaration — and how the Texas Legislature should address the issue of unauthorized immigration. Full Story
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Texas officials call it "property tax relief" — but legislation won't lower tax bills or decrease budgets
The fight over property tax rates is really about state leaders telling local officials how much their revenues can grow before voters get to step in. Full Story
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After Texas' second Supreme Court loss in a death penalty case, reform bill lands key GOP support
The chairs of two House committees signed on as joint authors of a bill that would set the method of determining if a capital murder defendant is intellectually disabled and therefore ineligible for execution. Full Story
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How do Texas governments calculate your property taxes? Here’s a primer.
Several government entities — from appraisal districts to city councils — play independent roles that collectively determine how much money Texas landowners owe local governments each year. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers look to the "cloud" for storing sensitive government data
In hopes of saving money on data storage, legislators are considering downsizing the state's data centers and relying more on private tech companies. Full Story
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Texas secretary of state apologizes for how he rolled out voter citizenship review. But he still supports the effort.
In a letter sent to lawmakers late Wednesday, David Whitley said he's sorry for the way he launched the review efforts but appeared not to be backing down from continuing the review. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley at a state Senate Committee on Nominations hearing on Feb. 7, 2019. Whitley was appointed to the job by Gov. Greg Abbott, but Whitley must first clear the committee, then win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
In 2012, there were 19 Republican women in the Texas House. Now, there are six.
In addition to the six House members, there are six female Republicans in the state Senate. Republican lawmakers and political operatives are hoping to make moves now to get those numbers up after the 2020 election. Full Story
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![House and Senate Republican women of the 86th Legislative session.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva/The Texas Tribune
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