Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed wariness to expanding the Compassionate Use Program, but the bill’s Senate sponsor said Patrick helped craft the version that cleared a key hurdle Friday.
Texas Legislature 2019
The 86th Legislature runs from Jan. 8 to May 27. From the state budget to health care to education policy — and the politics behind it all — we focus on what Texans need to know about the biennial legislative session.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: When Texas lawmakers talk about “election security,” trust but verify
Texas lawmakers are wrangling over changes to election law that — depending on your allegiance — would make elections more secure or suppress voting among groups that favor Democrats, the political minority in Texas. The fight’s not about you — it’s about them.
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Texas Legislature 2019
How Santa Fe rebuilt itself in the year after a school shooting
As lawmakers in Austin work to pass a sweeping school safety bill, many Santa Fe survivors and their loved ones say they’re focused less on what’s happening at the Capitol and more on what can be done to rebuild and uplift their community.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmakers close to sending “born alive” abortion bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Republicans in the Texas Senate passed the bill Thursday with the support of two Democrats. If the Texas House concurs with minor changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to the governor.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes bill to spend more than $3 billion to help pay for flood control projects
With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters.
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Texas Legislature 2019
This Texas bill that opponents say could lead to voter suppression has lost a key bipartisan provision
The controversial and wide-ranging Senate Bill 9 has been pitched as an election security measure, but critics have raised concerns about the effects it could have on marginalized voters.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas teachers often spend their own money on supplies. This year, lawmakers are pondering giving them raises.
“I don’t think twice about spending the money on those kids, other than it’s unfortunate that I have to do it,” one teacher said.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate passes bill to kill program that critics say can trap poor people in a cycle of debt
The bill to end the unpopular program, which adds annual surcharges on top of traffic fines — and prompts the suspension of millions of driver’s licenses — is headed for Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. If he signs it, pending surcharges will be dropped.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas farmers could begin growing hemp under legislation gaining steam in both chambers
House Bill 1325 would legalize hemp and hemp-derived extracts like CBD oil as long as they contain no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Tribcast: A snoozer Texas legislative session and blowing up the kumbaya
In this edition of the TribCast, Alexa talks to Ross, Matthew and Patrick about a legislative session that’s putting some folks to sleep, lawmakers’ report card for Gov. Greg Abbott and what could blow up the kumbaya session in its final days.