Here's everything you need to know about Texas gun laws
A debate over gun control was reignited after a gunman killed 22 people at a Walmart in El Paso. Here's a rundown of Texas' gun laws. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f3b208702d1ee445efc204c392c7985/txtrib-Guns-CCR018%20TT.jpg)
-
![Guns at McBride's Guns in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
With a new vacancy on the Texas Supreme Court, attention turns to diversity concerns
Gov. Greg Abbott has his third opportunity to appoint a judge to the state's highest civil court. His first two picks were white men. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26c9f8fe06a378c9d61a16d90db20fe4/05_Supreme_Court_EW_TT.jpg)
![The Justices of the Texas Supreme Court hear the Texas Department of Criminal Justice v. Maurie Levin, et al. case on Jan. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Senate confirms Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown to the federal bench
The nod creates a vacancy on the state's highest civil court, giving Gov. Greg Abbott his third opportunity to make an appointment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ae8a081303976ba57eacdce6dcf43e5/06_Supreme_Court_Jeff_Brown_EW_TT.jpg)
![Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown listens to Philip Durst during a hearing for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice v. Maurie Levin, et al. case on Jan. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott is required to appoint a secretary of state “without delay.” It has been 63 days since the last one left.
Former Secretary of State David Whitley resigned after a botched review of the voter rolls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/28/TXTrib-EarlyVote-CCR005.jpg)
![Vote signs outside early voting locations in Austin on Feb. 23, 2014.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: For Texas lawmakers, a ballad of rope and dope
Texas lawmakers made it legal to farm hemp and, incidentally, harder to prosecute people caught with small amounts of marijuana, which is still illegal. Now they're bickering about whether that's the fault of the new law or of local prosecutors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77cc6aa32e2da2ae73f88da2d10f69d2/Cannabis_sativa_plant_HEMP.JPG)
![Industrial hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).]()
Credit: Chmee2/Creative Commons -
With increased state funding, Lamar State colleges will cut tuition by a quarter
The Legislature gave a $17.3 million funding boost to the two-year colleges, which are part of the Texas State University System. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b4ffc092d32afe57b56c9a5f4408cb1f/Lamar%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20TT.jpg)
![The technology center at the Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont.]()
Credit: Lamar Institute of Technology -
After the Texas legislative session ended, Gov. Greg Abbott raised $12.1 million in two weeks
It's the most the Republican governor has raked in during the post-session fundraising sprint. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6c08deedf4ee1c4120ab0eacc668821/05%20SB2%20Abbott%20Wallys%20Burgers%20MG.jpg)
![From left, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen at a press conference on Senste Bill 2. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law at Wallyâs Burger Express in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Census citizenship question ruling sets up legal path for Texans fighting the question
The U.S. Supreme Court threw the inclusion of a citizenship question on the census in doubt, but another legal challenge with Texas ties could bring an end to the controversy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e636fe34382dc731c1aebc8df273499b/hardtocount-leadart.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
Texas will deploy 1,000 National Guard troops to the border amid migrant surge
“There is an escalating crisis at the border — a crisis Congress is refusing to fix,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f61d83fd61c979f92ffb43d8f5729582/01%20Border%20Military%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![From left: Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Brig. Gen. Tracy Norris, the adjutant general of the Texas National Guard, discuss sending an additional 1,000 troops to assist at the border at a press conference in Austin on June 21, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b495bda576816f9ea30eedff3ba274a6/Abbott_Patrick_Bonnen_Joint_Presser_2.jpg)
![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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/faccd2cbc9a42f299b8104a1340fae9c/Amazon%20Boxes%20Shipping%20Online%20Shopping%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Getty Images -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e7ba2ebb0ef0ffe976f727eaef1767de/TribCast%206_19_19%20RJ%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ae447d671435d306379a4e8ce5331c2f/Revenge%20Porn%20Art.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35ba9fb89b159ce2e2762d2d448ce33f/DFW%20Airport%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![American Airlines planes on the tarmac at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.]()
Credit: Getty Images -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/148d0c8b40272fdfbcf7ae12f3f38637/01%20UT%20TT%20Elections%20617.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23293ac690b4e5d562cc7b20ff6f020e/Baby%20Car%20Seat%20Safety%20DPS%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![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.]()
Credit: Getty Images -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a125a5611e3a2743796ba35633bdc25/12%20SB2%20Abbott%20Wallys%20Burgers%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/06/Geren_budget_day_LS_TT.jpg)
![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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a034d376a74b58fcf529f6b800c4b0ca/Plumbing%20Plumbers%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/122d67e4e9b48dfc53d5eb5b41e5168e/04%20ABBOTTHOUSTON%20MS%20TT.jpg)
![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