Watch live: Texas House and Senate holding hearings about last week's winter storm
The hearings will be in separate rooms in the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![A committee hearing room featuring plexiglass dividers on Jan. 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Republican David Spiller wins rural Texas House seat, replacing Drew Springer
David Spiller, a Jacksboro attorney and school board member, faced fellow Republican Craig Carter for the seat previously held by Springer, who is now in the state Senate. Full Story
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![David Spiller faces off against Craig Carter for the Texas House District 68 seat.]()
Credit: David Spiller for Texas House Campaign -
Dan Patrick announces 2021 priorities focused on pandemic, power grid and socially conservative issues
In addition to bills responding to COVID-19 and the recent winter storm, Patrick is calling for legislation related to abortion, gun rights and the national anthem at sporting events. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Senate chamber at the Capitol on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 1…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says power is almost fully restored statewide and grocery stores will soon be restocked
Abbott said power should be fully restored across the state Sunday night or Monday. Full Story
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![Volunteer Catherine Tuppen helps with the water and beverage station at Kelly Village, a supply distribution site, on Feb. 1…]()
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Analysis: A winter storm leaves Texas with a black eye
The Texas government's failures in the face of a winter storm have been very hard on Texans, and could do lasting damage to the state's reputation. Full Story
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![From left to right, Martin Xoxa, Chelsea Pursley and Joe Williams build a fire to keep warm outside of Pursley's home in Eas…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A Star-Spangled culture war in Texas
What gets the state’s unusually subdued lieutenant governor to stand up and take notice? Not playing the national anthem at Dallas Mavericks games, as it turns out. The first culture clash of the 2021 legislative session is underway. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Senate chamber at the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick starts 2021 legislative session with an unusually low profile
The lieutenant governor is not starting the biennial legislative session in his characteristically outspoken style, particularly when it comes to making clear his policy priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to Tarrant county Tea Party supporters in Grapevine for the Spread the Red event on Oct. 17, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Feb. 23 special election runoff date for race to succeed Drew Springer in Texas House
The race for the solidly red seat in Northwest Texas pits David Spiller against fellow Republican Craig Carter. Full Story
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![A young women wearing a face covering votes inside the polling location at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas…]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott’s priorities match what lawmakers are already doing
In his State of the State speech this week, Gov. Greg Abbott laid out his top priorities, and his chances of success might be pretty decent: They match up with the issues Texas legislators were already working on. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State speech at Visionary Fiber Technologies outside of Lockhart on Fe…]()
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Analysis: Not every legislative day in Texas is a workday
During the first month of the Texas legislative session, the House and Senate will have met for less than a week, and most lawmakers will have been away from the Capitol for most of that time. It’s an early sign that this pandemic-shadowed session might be limited in scope. Full Story
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![The Senate floor on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: How Texas lawmakers are conducting a session during a pandemic
The 2021 Texas legislative session will be unlike any other, as lawmakers work to get the people’s business done in the midst of a pandemic that shows few signs of slowing. Full Story
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![A temporary tent outside the north entrance to the Texas State Capitol offers complimentary rapid COVID-19 testing for all w…]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
“If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month. Full Story
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![A state trooper stand guard outside of the door to the House chamber on opening day of the legislative session on Jan. 12, 2…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas state Rep. Carl Sherman says he’s tested positive for COVID-19
Sherman did not say how he thought he contracted the virus. The House, which gaveled in for start of the 2021 legislative session last week, adjourned Jan. 14 and is not set to convene again until Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Carl Sherman, D-DeSoto, on the House floor on May 8, 2019.]()
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Texas House and Senate propose similar spending amounts in preliminary budgets
The proposals are about $7 billion over the amount Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said lawmakers have to spend during the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Is the Texas Capitol a government building or a petri dish?
Legislating is a social enterprise. It draws crowds of Texans who want to testify, to be heard, to sightsee and to watch government in action. And it’s tailor made for spreading a contagious disease. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimony
The rules, which passed unanimously Thursday, will help govern the House during the Legislature’s 2021 session. Full Story
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![Legislators greet each other on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to the opening of the 2021 Legislative Sessi…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Texas Senate changes rules so Republicans can still bring bills to floor without Democratic support
The resolution passed on a party-line vote. Full Story
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![The gallery is mostly empty due to social distancing as the Senate meets at the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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Texas legislative session begins with heavy security presence following U.S. Capitol riot
Lawmakers gathered for the start of the 140-day session Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to rage in Texas. Full Story
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![Security at the state Capitol increased after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D…]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underway
Phelan’s election to the gavel was one of the House’s first order of business Tuesday, when the Legislature kicked off the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Spe…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Live video of the Texas House and Texas Senate
During the 2021 legislative session, The Texas Tribune is streaming the Texas House and Senate chambers, which you can watch here. The session runs from Jan. 12 to May 31. Full Story
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