The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday jumped into the hotly contested Republican primary for Senate District 8, endorsing Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, over Phillip Huffines, the twin brother of a sitting state senator. Full Story
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Here's the layout, more or less, for the primaries that a select few Texans will be voting in starting next Tuesday: Most races at the top of your ballot aren’t all that interesting. The consequential parts of the 2018 party primaries are down there in the legislative contests. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety has reversed a controversial decision to lay off more than 100 older troopers employed under an agency program that allowed them to retire and then be rehired in order to collect retirement benefits and a salary. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is intensifying his efforts to unseat state Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spent almost a third of his cash on hand on television advertising in January. He also supported the primary opponent of a sitting Republican senator. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is sparing no expense — or attack — as he works to unseat a fellow Republican, state Rep. Sarah Davis of West University Place. Full Story
Participants in party conventions set rules, elect leaders and set the platform. Party leaders say getting involved is easy. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced a sweeping proposal aimed at better protecting people from human trafficking as well as tackling sexual misconduct allegations at the Texas Capitol and throughout state government. Full Story
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State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, went almost two years without filing any campaign or personal financial reports, racking up more than $50,000 in fines. He still hasn't paid anything and it's unclear whether any state agency has the power to make him. Full Story
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With less than a month until the March 6 primaries, it's hard to find a Republican nominating contest for the Legislature where the "bathroom bill" is a central issue. Full Story
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A veteran Democratic lawmaker known as a brash tactician, Trey Martinez Fischer is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Diana Arevalo for the House District 116 seat he used to hold. Full Story
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The State Republican Executive Committee voted to censure Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, on Saturday, dinging the outgoing state leader for standing in the way of the party leadership group's priorities. Full Story
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We livestreamed our conversation with Reps. Shawn Thierry and Garnet Coleman. Watch the full video, or check out our recap. Full Story
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The battle lines in a rural Texas GOP primary race have centered on school vouchers and gun rights, as Jim Largent, a superintendent in Granbury, alleges that state Rep. Mike Lang hasn't properly represented his district. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday unveiled a plan to limit annual local governments' property tax revenue growth to 2.5 percent. To increase revenue beyond that, governments would need approval from two-thirds of voters. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety is feeling the heat over a budget-related decision to lay off 117 officers serving in a retire/rehire program. Full Story
Harris County and Houston top the list of hundreds of Texas law enforcement agencies set to receive bulletproof vests from a state grant. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is wading deeper into the state House Republican primaries, endorsing a challenger to state Rep. Wayne Faircloth, R-Galveston. Full Story
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In their focus on the culture of sexual misconduct that regularly goes unchecked at the Capitol, Texas lawmakers are questioning how to check their own power when it comes to investigating reports of harassment and assault. Full Story
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The early Texas primaries force some quick deadlines on candidates and campaigns. Early voting begins on Feb. 20 — just seven weeks from now and two weeks before Election Day. Full Story
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