Watch Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Dennis Bonnen's unexpected press conference
The "Big Three" announced additional National Guard deployments to the border and bashed Congress for failing to do more to halt a surge in migration. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Stealing packages could result in jail time in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill
Starting Sept. 1, Texans who take items from mailboxes and porches face tougher penalties for their crimes. But some say punishments are too extreme since they're not based on the value of what's taken. Full Story
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TribCast: The Texas Monthly Best & Worst List
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Matthew, Emma, Julian and Texas Monthly's Chris Hooks about the Texas Monthly Best & Worst List, the latest on the border crisis and Gov. Greg Abbott's vetoes. Full Story
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![From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen speak at a press conference regarding property taxes on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes cyberbullying prevention bill, some worry forms of online harassment will continue unchecked
The bill would have made it a crime to repeatedly use social media to harass or torment someone. It was aimed at protecting children from some indirect forms of cyberbullying. Full Story
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Credit: Photo illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a proposed Texas law banning guns in secure airport areas. Supporters say it's still needed.
Federal law already makes it illegal for most people to possess a weapon on secure parts of an airport tarmac. The bill was aimed at also allowing local law enforcement, especially at smaller airports, to take action in the face of an emergency. Full Story
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![American Airlines planes on the tarmac at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.]()
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Texans approve of Trump’s job performance but have questions about his character, UT/TT Poll says
More than half of the state's voters think President Donald Trump is doing a good job, but they're not as pleased with some of his character traits, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill requiring children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats
Abbott said the measure "is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization." Full Story
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![A mom buckles her infant son safely into a rear facing car seat as they get ready to drive somewhere in their vehicle. The baby's mouth is visible with a big smile. Sunlight shines in from behind. Horizontal with copy space.]()
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs $250 billion budget with no line-item vetoes
In addition to signing the 2020-21 budget, Abbott vetoed several dozen bills that the Legislature had passed. Full Story
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![Senate Bill 2 and the pens Gov. Greg Abbott used to sign it, in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Advocates say lawmakers largely exempted themselves from Texas' public records law, prompting calls for a veto
Critics say a bill awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature would mark an expansion of lawmakers’ ability to wall off their records from public scrutiny. Full Story
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![State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, works from his desk on the House floor as the House debates the budget on April 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott extends state plumbing board until 2021 after Legislature abolished it
The governor cited Texas' continued recovery from Hurricane Harvey as a reason why he was issuing an executive order to continue the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which was on track to shut down. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott signs disaster relief and preparedness bills in Houston
The legislation includes framework that provides more than $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 7, one of four bills he signed into law on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in Houston, aimed at bolstering the state's emergency preparedness and disaster relief programs, including framework that provides $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
After House Republicans tackle big challenges in session, they face another one: saving themselves
Some Democrats are mobilizing in hopes of taking the nine House seats they need for a majority in 2020 as Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen tries to prevent intra-GOP challenges in the primaries. Full Story
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![Opening Day of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature with action in the Texas House
Election of Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, by unanimous vote.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill designed to limit property tax growth
A top priority of state leaders, the legislation requires voter approval before local governments increase their property tax revenue by more than 3.5%. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 2 to limit property tax growth during a press conference at Wallyâs Burgers in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott, a song of accomplishments and an out-of-tune tweet
The governor is busy touting the accomplishments of the recently ended Texas legislative session while inadvertently reminding his Twitter followers of one of his administration's errors. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott signs $11.6 billion school finance measure into law
The high-priority bill boosts per-student funding and reduces property taxes across the state. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs the $11.6 billion school finance bill into law while surrounded by lawmakers at Parmer Lane Elementary School in Austin on June 11, 2019.]()
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill declaring children's lemonade stands legal
The bill, which goes into effect Sept. 1, prevents cities and neighborhood associations from prohibiting or regulating children who sell nonalcoholic drinks on private property. Full Story
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![Focus on sign at lemonade stand. A lemon, strawberry and pile of red plastic cups in foreground. Out of focus girl in background.]()
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The Texas governor accused people of lying about Texas' maternal mortality rate. The critics relied on the state's own bad data.
Problems with the state’s data led to initial reports that Texas' maternal mortality rate was far higher than it is. Full Story
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![Vanna Waldron, left, evaluates Erika Piñon at the Holy Family Birthing Center in Weslaco, Texas. Waldron is a Certified Nurse Midwife from Seattle, Washington, who is volunteering at the birthing center for a year.]()
Credit: Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune -
In San Antonio and Dallas, Ron Nirenberg and Eric Johnson win mayoral runoffs
Nirenberg eked out a win over City Councilman Greg Brockhouse, while Johnson handily defeated City Councilman Scott Griggs. Full Story
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![From left: Ron Nirenberg and State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas.]()
Credit: Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Most Texas workers will no longer lose their occupational license if they default on student loans
A 2018 report from the Texas Tribune found more than 4,200 people in the state — including security guards, cosmetologists and pharmacists – were at risk of losing their license because of student loan default in 2017. Full Story
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![University of Houston students back on campus in Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, after Hurricane Harvey.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott deploys DPS to combat Dallas violent crime spike
The city had 40 homicides last month, the highest monthly total since the 1990s. Full Story
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![The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) graduates a class of 74 new state troopers at the Texas Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune