Some South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigation
A state-appointed board of managers overseeing the La Joya Independent School District is set to consider the policy this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/89957c358e9bc01cf48b9cad76048b69/La%20Hoya%20ISD%20MKC%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![The Texas Education Agency has replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Guard’s border mission needs an additional $531 million to continue past this month, top general says
Texas Military Department leaders say they’ve addressed many of the issues that arose late last year when the mission ramped up to 10,000 service members — but more money is needed to run the mission at its current pace. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46f74dc6cad15de4f2bf9fb535b68271/Operation%20Lone%20Star%20VGC%2002.jpg)
![National Guard oversee an area where the border wall ends in Del Rio, on Nov. 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for ProPublica/The Texas Tribune -
"We do a lot of work": Texas' low-wage workers hope for more as Biden, Congress push minimum wage hike
The minimum wage in Texas pays $7.25 an hour, well below a livable wage and far lower than the minimum hourly pay in most states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f5330c45322c74718513d53fd91adc15/Monique%20Warren%20Wage%20MYL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Monique Warren works as a baggage handler at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Warren earns $9/hour, and is a supporter of President Biden's proposals to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Jan. 28, 2021.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: The Rio Grande Valley and the 86th Legislature
We're livestreaming our conversation in Edinburg at noon recapping the 86th legislative session with Rio Grande Valley-area legislators, including state Sen. Chuy Hinojosa and state Reps. Bobby Guerra and Oscar Longoria, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6da1dc18f6c021eb42718d867b03a992/TTE-CitySeries-RGV_leadart-tt-NEW.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Post-Harvey, Texas State Aquarium seeks funds for new wildlife rescue center
Before Hurricane Harvey, state aquarium staff evacuated turtles, stingrays, dolphins and other recovering animals from an aging rescue center they feared would blow away. Now, they're asking the state for help to build a new facility. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a5da6862774f013dfcb8240d392b457f/09_TxStateAquarium_ES_TT.jpg)
![Senior Wildlife Care Specialist Rico Olvera discusses a green sea turtle whose shell was injured by a boat propeller blade and suffers from a disease called fibropapilloma. The sea turtle is housed at the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue facility.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: It takes more than three high officials to make Texas laws
What started as unity at the top of Texas government is now in the hands of state legislators, who are better known for killing bills and changing the original intentions. Case in point: property taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ecb09a0f7ec0c13e845f652d170ba92/01_Abbott_Bonnen_Patrick_Property_Tax_Presser_MG.jpg)
![From left: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton; and Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speak at a Jan 31, 2019, news conference addressing property tax reform.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Senate gives early OK to bill regulating do-not-resuscitate orders
The Senate gave early approval to a measure Tuesday night that would require physicians to take certain steps before issuing do-not-resuscitate orders to patients. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/05/__BDD6326_Perryz.JPG)
![Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, listens to witness testimony on several bills in Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
A Conversation with Hinojosa, Guerra and Canales (Video)
Full video of our Aug. 26 conversation with state Sen. Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and state Reps. Bobby Guerra, D-Mission, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/08-26-2016-TT-Legislators-Discussion-Panel-22-SIZED.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Energy Track
The Energy track at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on the state’s drilling industry and the state of the electric grid. We also featured a one-on-one interview with Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/23/energy.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Chambers Not Too Far Apart on Border Security
Despite appearances, the House and Senate aren't too far apart on border security funding, says the lone border lawmaker on the budget conference committee. One sticking point is funding for state trooper pay. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/28/TurnerAndChuy.jpg)
![State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston and State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen.]()
Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: April 29, 2015
Gone are accusations of gamesmanship as lawmakers get to work finding common ground on the session's border security bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0077.jpg)
![Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, speaks his concerns about law enforcement agencies working together on the border surge during a discussion at the Legislative Budget Board meeting on Dec. 1, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Announces Budget Negotiation Team
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has named the Senate lineup of budget negotiators who will meet with House counterparts and hash out a final version of the two-year state budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/UP9A4996.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after votes on first reading of SB #11 March 18th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: April 14, 2015
Chances are good for passage of legislation up for debate in the House today that would allow for open carry of handguns by those already with concealed carry licenses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/18/BestOf-2014-002.jpg)
![Chris Way and his son Ryan, 2, participate in an open carry march on March 12, 2014 during the South by Southwest festival. The event was led by the Austin chapter of Come and Take It.]()
Credit: Erika Rich -
Senate Votes to Close Austin Institution
The Austin State Supported Living Center will be the first closed, but more are to come as the state continues moving away from residential centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/AustinStateSchool_wideroom.jpg)
![Austin State-Supported Living Center employee Tamika Mays is shown with resident Rebecca Hadnot in 2011.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Rising Local Debt Draws Attention of Legislature
State coffers are flush with cash, but local governments are continuing to borrow heavily to provide services. State legislators have filed more than a dozen bills aimed at how cities, counties and school districts can borrow money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/05/Debt-IOU-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/UP9A9537.JPG)
![Sen. Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, together with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, hold a press conference on the budget on Jan. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: March 4, 2015
Senate budget writers in the middle of what they are describing as "Tax Relief Week" expressed remorse en masse at having created the business margins tax in 2006. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0171.jpg)
![Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Feb. 19, 2015
Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/Janek_and_Whitmire.jpg)
![Health and Human Services Commission head Kyle Janek (l.) and state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who called for his resignation on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
It's Opening Day for the 84th Legislature
Got your popcorn ready? The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day regular session today at noon, with ceremonies, a little pomp and a skirmish or two. Here's a look at what's happening today. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Anneke Paterson -
Liveblog: Energy at The Texas Tribune Festival
We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Energy track. The sessions include panels on the state's power grid, the potential impact of energy reform in Mexico on Texas, the debate over hydraulic fracturing and a deeper look at the state's drilling boom. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/18/TTF14-liveblog-energy.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht