State Sen. Charles Schwertner gave up serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services in 2019. This year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named him chair of the Committee on Administration. Full Story
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After the Ebola outbreak, a task force recommended stockpiling protective gear and expanding state powers to deal with infectious diseases. "Tinfoil hats" opposed to big government killed a bill that would have done it, its sponsor says. Full Story
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The law will make the electronic transmission of unwanted sexually explicit material a class C misdemeanor. But legal experts worry it could be written too broadly under the First Amendment to be effective. Full Story
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Surprise medical bills happen when out-of-network health care providers and insurance companies can’t agree on the price of a medical treatment, leaving the patient to pick up the amount insurance won’t pay. Full Story
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The chamber voted on a resolution that moves misconduct complaints to a committee with subpoena power. Full Story
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Schwertner was investigated by the University of Texas at Austin after a student reported that he sent her unwanted lewd texts. He denied the allegation and an investigator determined evidence "does not support a finding" that he violated Title IX. Full Story
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An investigation of a state senator accused of sending lewd texts to a college student ended without proving his guilt or his innocence, leaving some tough questions unresolved as the Texas Legislature starts its 2019 regular session. Full Story
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On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Emma and Patrick about the pre-session school finance scuttlebutt, a big Obamacare ruling out of Texas and a state senator facing allegations he sent lewd texts. Full Story
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Lawyers for Schwertner say the messages were sent by a third party. Full Story
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The lawyers said the examiner, R3 Digital Forensics, of Austin, "determined that the photo and texts in question could not have come from the senator's phone." Full Story
Lawyers for state Sen. Charles Schwertner, a Republican from Georgetown, revealed the hire Wednesday and again denied allegations that their client sent lewd messages to a UT-Austin graduate student. Full Story
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Alexa and Patrick about the sexting allegations against state Sen. Charles Schwertner, why former President Obama hasn't endorsed Senate hopeful Beto O'Rourke, and whether O'Rourke and Sen. Ted Cruz will revisit their canceled debate. Full Story
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A recent allegation of sexual misconduct against a state senator highlights the ambiguity that remains at the Capitol over how Texas lawmakers respond to such cases. Full Story
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The timing of sexual misconduct allegations against Texas state Sen. Charles Schwertner could affect more than his election chances in November; it could affect the chances of other Republican candidates whose districts overlap his. Full Story
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Allegations that Schwertner had sexually harassed a University of Texas at Austin graduate student were first reported Tuesday evening by the Austin American-Statesman. Full Story
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Schwertner has denied the allegation, revealed Tuesday in a news report, but his challengers on the November ballot think it may prompt voters to give the race a second look. Full Story
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A spokesperson said Schwertner "categorically denies any knowledge of the accusations leveled against him" and added that the senator "is eager to cooperate with the University of Texas and hopes to make clear he played no part in the behavior described.” Full Story
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Wayne Roberts, CEO of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, said the institute has played a critical role in researching and preventing cancer and needs state funding to continue. Full Story
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The Senate has approved a measure that prohibits local and state government agencies from contracting with abortion providers and their affiliates. Full Story
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After a debate among lawmakers over the best way to regulate services like Uber and Lyft, the Texas Senate tentatively backed a proposal that would override local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies. Full Story
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