Analysis: Rising criticism threatens one-punch voting in Texas
Most states have dropped straight-ticket voting, but not Texas. There's another attempt coming in the current legislative session, and it's got some high-level supporters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/01/_SOJ3033_Hecht.jpg)
-
![Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Justice Nathan Hecht, gives his State of the Judiciary speech on Feb. 1, 2017 to a joint session of the Texas Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas, a legislative sideshow to the main act in D.C.
The Texas Legislature is primed to go, but this is going to be a session outside the limelight. The Texans are busy, but the spotlight is on the new administration in Washington, D.C. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/31/SOSspeech7TT.jpg)
![Gov. Abbott delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber on Jan. 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
School choice bill pitches savings accounts, tax credit scholarships
Sen. Larry Taylor on Monday filed Senate Bill 3, which pushes education savings accounts and tax credit scholarships to subsidize private school tuition and other education expenses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/30/FullSizeRender.jpg)
![Sen. Larry Taylor discusses school choice legislation during a press conference on Jan. 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/24/Shcool_Choice_Rally_LS_TT.jpg)
![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 -
Human Rights Campaign to open Texas offices to fight “bathroom bill”
The prominent LGBT civil rights organization is opening three offices in Texas for the legislative session to fight Texas' "bathroom bill" and other anti-LGBT legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/16/UT-Bathroom-002.jpg)
![An all-gender restroom at The University of Texas at Austin.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas leaders posturing in public for legislative advantage
Texas state leaders are debating several important issues in a very public way, delivering their messages to one another through rallies, press conferences, trade association meetings and the media. Get your popcorn ready. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/24/Abbott_School_Choice_LS_TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a rally at the Capitol for school choice January 24, 2017. Both Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke in favor of expanding school choice options. Students, educators, activists and parents marched on the south lawn to show their support for expanding school choice options during National School Choice Week.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pans Texas House budget proposal
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday panned the Texas House's budget proposal, suggesting it is fiscally irresponsible because it exceeds Comptroller Glenn Hegar's biennial revenue estimate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/11/7C2A5835.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during January 11, 2017 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Straus seeks to publish efficiency report that Patrick wanted scrapped
House Speaker Joe Straus has asked a state agency to release its ideas for improving government efficiency. The request came on the heels of news that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had directed the board to do the exact opposite. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/StrausPatrick.jpg)
![House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.]()
-
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for House, Senate vote on school choice this session
At a "National School Choice Week" rally Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott urged the Legislature to take a vote on school choice legislation this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/24/Dan_Patrick_School_Choice_LS_TT.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a rally at the Capitol for school choice January 24, 2017. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Patrick spoke in favor of expanding school choice options. Students, educators, activists and parents marched on the south lawn to show their support for expanding school choice options during National School Choice Week.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Will Texas pass school choice this year?
School choice legislation hasn't made much headway in past legislative sessions. But this year could be different — here's why. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/30/_W1A8243.JPG)
![National School Choice rally in Austin on January 30th, 2015]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Thousands of school choice advocates expected to rally at Texas Capitol
Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will headline Tuesday's rally, marking the start of a protracted battle this session over whether Texas should allow parents to pay for private school with taxpayer money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/30/_W1A8234.JPG)
![A school choice rally, part of National School Choice Week, drew advocates to the Texas Capitol in Austin on Jan. 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Travis County sheriff announces new "sanctuary" policy
A Friday announcement by newly-elected Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez that her office would reduce cooperation with federal immigration authorities will set up a showdown with Texas Republican leaders, especially Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/30/Sheriff-Sally.jpg)
![Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez.]()
Credit: Martin do Nascimento -
After GOP appeal, Texas Supreme Court agrees to take up same-sex marriage case
The Texas Supreme Court reversed course and agreed to take up a case involving benefits for married same-sex couples after Republican leaders urged the court to reconsider its earlier decision to let a lower court decision stand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/04/TxTrib-GayWedding_014.JPG)
![Couples embrace at the conclusion of the "Big Gay Wedding" ceremony on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol on July 4 after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in June.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
Texas Senate leaders propose tuition freeze, elimination of financial aid program
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Kel Seliger, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, unveiled legislation Thursday that they said aims to lower costs for college students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/University_Tuition_Money.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Reports: Most statewide officials in strong financial shape
Most of Texas' top state leaders tallied some formidable numbers in their latest campaign finance reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Money-Capitol-3d-Budget.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration 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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Senate-Chamber.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Straus_SpeaksTT.jpg)
![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 -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/12/Bathroom_Thumbnail.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Qiling Wang -
Ken Paxton pitches Texas business community on "bathroom bill"
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday pitched the "bathroom bill" to the Texas business community, which has vocally opposed the effort to regulate bathroom use. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/12/UP9A0118.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during a press conference to recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month on January 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
In dueling budget proposals, Texas House and Senate billions apart
Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/02/ExpandingBudget-MoneyBagInCapitol.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Paul Hudson