Analysis: What we talk about when we talk about school vouchers
The debate over education savings accounts and other voucher programs is only peripherally about educating kids. It's really a debate about money. Full Story
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![Children from charter and private schools all over Texas turned out for the 85th legislative session's National School Choice Rally on Jan. 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Texas university leaders warn of dire consequences if Senate budget is implemented
In a day-long hearing, university presidents and chancellors said their schools might have to lay off faculty and cut classes if hundreds of millions of dollars worth of "special items" aren't put back in the budget. Full Story
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![Happy Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, watches passage of SB 1 budget bill on a 30-1 vote April 14, 2015. Lone no vote was Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: A Senate budget that takes more off the top than it first appears
The Texas Senate's proposed budget, with one exception, is a carefully assembled conservative start to a 20-week legislative spending negotiation. But they finished off their work with a chainsaw. Full Story
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![September 15, 2016 Senate Finance Committee hearing at the Texas Capitol]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
With Senate moving quickly on UT regent confirmation, Hall asks for more time
One day after Gov. Greg Abbott appointed three new University of Texas System regents, the Senate has scheduled a confirmation hearing. One of the regents being replaced, Wallace Hall, is asking the Senate and Abbott to slow the process down. Full Story
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![University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall at a 2014 Texas Tribune event.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Decision on budget tactic could affect millions in university funds
Schools say they rely heavily on "special item" appropriations for higher education. The Senate hasn't appropriated any so far, but it could add them later. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: Spinning numbers in lawmakers’ proposed budgets
For lessons in how to speak positively about bad news — without telling lies — you might consider studying at the feet of the people who write the Texas budget. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Dan Patrick makes only one change atop Senate committees
Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee. Full Story
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Credit: Rick Mach -
Joe Straus: Legislators need to be careful when it comes to "bathroom bill"
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus told the Texas Association of Business that the "bathroom bill," a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was not his most urgent concern for the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
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![Rep. Joe Straus makes remarks after being being sworn in for his fifth term as speaker of the Texas House on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Legislators start with a $5.3 billion difference of opinion
In their first-day numbers, the Texas Legislature's two chambers didn’t even agree on the size of the current budget. The House baked in some supplemental expenses that the Senate left that out. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
How one transgender boy sees the "bathroom bill" debate (video)
A new bill would mandate that people use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” A business group and families with transgender members are working to oppose it. Full Story
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Credit: Qiling Wang -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fires back at criticism over "bathroom bill"
Patrick continued to fire back Wednesday at criticism of the so-called "bathroom bill" he has championed, saying its opponents are concentrated in the media. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during January 11, 2017 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Slideshow: 85th Texas Legislature kicks off
The Texas Tribune's photographers were on hand at the state Capitol on Tuesday to capture scenes from the opening day of the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos gavels in the 85th Legislature on January 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers focus on friendship on legislative session's first day
With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday. Full Story
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![A man preaches in the Capitol rotunda before the start of the 85th Texas Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Cotera for the Texas Tribune -
Get all your 85th Texas legislative news in one place
As state lawmakers kick off the 85th Legislative Session on Tuesday, you can use our session page to watch livestreams of the floor action and stay caught up on all the news from the session. Full Story
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Analysis: Take it from Texas — an election sweep carries no guarantee
Winning isn't everything when it comes to party control. If it was, Texas lawmakers would have nothing to do. But they still have plenty to fight about, and Republicans in Washington, D.C., will, too. Full Story
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![The 84th legislative session ran from Jan. 13 through Jun. 1. State lawmakers enhanced gun rights, allowed epilepsy patients to use medicinal cannabis oil and outlawed local bans on fracking.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Status quo holds in the Texas Senate
The makeup of the Texas Senate is poised to remain the same in 2017 after Tuesday night's election. Republicans' 20-to-11 advantage didn't change. Full Story
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![A look at the dais on the Texas Senate floor on Oct. 8, 2015.]()
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Analysis: High property taxes start in Austin, not in school districts
State lawmakers complain that local property taxes need to be leashed. But state lawmakers are more responsible for the increases than they let on. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Amid GOP fears of Trump effect down-ballot, Texas Senate races unaffected
Even with the presidential race closer than normal, Democrats have little chance to gain ground in the Republican-dominated Texas Senate. Full Story
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![The Texas Senate on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: In Texas, Lawmakers Regulate Their Own Regulators
The Texas Ethics Commission regulates legislators. Legislators control the commission's laws and budget. It's a complicated relationship. Full Story
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![State Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, listen to testimony at a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing reviewing current ethics laws governing public officials and employees on Oct, 5, 2016.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune -
At Education Panel, GOP Pitches Private School Choice
At a marathon hearing of the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, GOP senators debated how, not whether, to give Texas families taxpayer money to pay for private, religious or home schools. Full Story
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![The Senate Education Committee interim hearing at the Texas Capitol Aug. 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich