The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
In the midsummer special session, Texas lawmakers will be talking about your rising property taxes again. Don't get excited: That does not mean your tax bill is going to get any smaller. Full Story
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A review of Gov. Greg Abbott's schedule during May provides a glimpse into the final stretch of the legislative session, where the governor tried in vain to bring together lawmakers to avoid a special session. Full Story
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A special session of the Texas Legislature reveals a hole in the state's ethics laws, allowing elected officials in Austin to make laws at the same time they're raising campaign funds — from the people most interested in those new laws. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced he was calling the Legislature back for a special session to address must-pass “sunset” legislation and 19 other measures. Here’s what Texans can expect ahead of July 18. Full Story
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Members of the Texas Legislature have six weeks to prepare to tackle an ambitious agenda in a special session that begins July 18. Full Story
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Late last year, after two Texas electors went rogue, top Republicans rallied around bills to "bind" Texas Electoral College members to the result of the statewide popular vote. Those bills never made it to the governor. Full Story
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Some of the 20 topics Gov. Greg Abbott is asking the Texas Legislature to consider during a special session have been his priorities since his State of the State Address in January. On some of the other topics, though, he's been relatively quiet. Full Story
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Thursday over an obscure provision in the Texas Election Code that critics say makes it harder for Texans not proficient in English to get assistance while voting. Full Story
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Craft brewers want Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a bill that would put limits on some regulatory relief that benefits them. But supporters, including some major distributors, say the bill is needed to stop big beer companies that gobble up independent craft brewers from taking advantage of relaxed regulations. Full Story
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Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on Wednesday announced that the city council decided to join a number of Texas cities and counties in fighting the state's immigration bill, Senate Bill 4, in federal court. Full Story
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Texas' softer voter ID law doesn't fix the discrimination in the old measure, the state's legal opponents told a judge Wednesday. Full Story
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State Rep. Victoria Neave was arrested by Dallas police for allegedly driving while intoxicated overnight. She remained in jail Wednesday morning. Full Story
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Lawmakers voted to increase funding for the state's top college financial aid program by 10 percent. That means the share of students who qualify for the program but don't get it due to a lack of funding will be cut in half. Full Story
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Advocates and families of transgender Texans are preparing for a special session of the Texas Legislature that's sure to continue the heated debate over which bathrooms transgender individuals are allowed to use. Full Story
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Some urban officials say the governor's list of priorities for a summer session will harm the state's economy and undercut local Texans' abilities to influence their communities. Full Story
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Several must-pass sunset bills didn’t make it to the governor’s desk. We’ve compiled an overview of what it could mean for the state if these agencies are not reauthorized. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott snatched the spotlight from his rivals with a long, long list of priorities for a special legislative session — one that takes care of must-do legislation and buries everything else. Full Story
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Here's a look at the seven constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot for the November 7 election. Full Story
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Did the Texas Legislature boost funding for border security? What about public education? Did they dip into the Rainy Day Fund? Here’s a wide-angle look at what's in the $217 billion budget the two chambers ultimately settled on. Full Story
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As speculation looms of a special session, Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that state lawmakers didn't adequately address the issue of property tax relief. Full Story
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