Will Texas lawmakers ax tree ordinances in more than 50 cities?
Dozens of cities and towns in Texas have ordinances aimed at protecting trees. During the special legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott wants to change that. Full Story
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![A tree is protected by wood planks during construction at a private residence in Austin on June 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
State removes license for eyebrow threaders (video)
The Texas Legislature passed a bill deregulating eyebrow threading, which has for years required practitioners in Texas to pay licensing fees and undergo hundreds of hours of unrelated cosmetology training. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn for The Texas Tribune -
After criticism, DPS restores extended hours at busiest driver's license offices
The Texas Department of Public Safety surprised customers last week when the agency trimmed office hours to save money. Full Story
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![A Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Office.]()
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What to expect in a special session
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling lawmakers back for a special session of the Legislature to address some key issues that failed to pass during the regular session. Watch how the session will work in a condensed time frame. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: “Tax relief,” maybe, but no savings for taxpayers
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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Abbott "shuttle diplomacy" tested as Straus, Patrick reached impasse
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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![Gov. Greg Abbott looks on as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Joe Straus shake hands at the Capitol on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
State capitol among lawmakers' summer travel destinations (video)
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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Analysis: Raising money while making laws in Texas special session
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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![Bills stack up on the Senate dais on May 24, 2017. The Senate is facing a midnight deadline to consider House bills less than a week before the end of the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Why bills to bind Texas' Electoral College never reached Gov. Abbott
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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![A closeup of the Electoral College ballot for president of the United States on Dec. 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott just called a special session. What should you expect?
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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![Gov. Greg Abbott lays out items for a special session at a press conference on June 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Here's what Gov. Greg Abbott has said — or not said — about special session items
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
![Gov. Greg Abbott lays out items for a special session at a press conference on June 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Small beer makers say bill creates "extortion fee" as they seek Abbott's veto
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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![Colorado-based Oskar Blues, which has a tap room in Austin, is opposed to a bill that would require it to pay what critics call an "extortion fee" to beer distributors.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
Appeals court to weigh Texas voting law limiting language interpreters
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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![Voting precinct at the Parker Lane United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
City of Dallas to join fight against Texas immigration law
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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Scrap new Texas voter ID law, plaintiffs tell federal judge
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 arrested for DWI in Dallas
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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![Mugshot of state Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, arrested for DWI in Dallas late Tuesday, June 6.]()
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In a year of cuts, the Legislature boosted aid for Texas college students
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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![Chelsea Stewart listens to a lecture in the College of Health Professions at Texas State University.]()
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Texas lawmakers, "bathroom bill" opponents prepare for round two
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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![Supporters turn out for Trans Texan Lobby Day 2017 at the state Capitol on March 6, 2017. It was a busy day with several events both opposing and supporting SB6, the so-called "bathroom bill."]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
City leaders, advocates criticize Abbott for special session agenda
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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![Austin Mayor Steve Adler testifies during a House committee hearing over a bill that would pre-empt local regulations on ride-hailing companies on March 16, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Here’s everything you need to know about the must-pass “sunset" bills
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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![The Sunset Advisory Committee is shown during a hearing on Aug. 22, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera