The bill passed on a 19–12 vote, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat voting for it. It requires one more approval in the Senate before it heads to the Texas House.
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
“Republicans have been turned French”: Hardline Texas conservatives worry their allies have gone soft
Activist conservative groups have long been aligned with the lawmakers they helped elect, like Texas House Freedom Caucus members and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Are they still on the same page?
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Texas Legislature 2019
Meet the advocates lobbying Texas lawmakers for more money and support this session
During the Texas legislative session, the Capitol sees a rush of advocates. Our latest “Under the Dome” episode features two people lobbying on issues they are all too familiar with.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas lawmakers haven’t sworn off culture wars after all
The Texas Legislature is trying to focus on school finance and property taxes. But flashier, more divisive political fights beckon.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Are Texas lawmakers done with drama or just saving it up for later?
The Texas House sent a $250 billion budget over to the Senate with a unanimous vote after a debate that had remarkably few tense moments. With school finance, property taxes and revisions to that budget still ahead, will the comity hold?
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Texas Legislature 2019
TribCast: The House passes its budget — civilly
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ayan, Emma, Cassi and Patrick about the House’s big night tackling the next biennial budget, a repeat performance by corporate opponents of last session’s “bathroom bill” and the anti-abortion legislation moving in the Capitol.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate aligns with House on how much to spend on education, property tax reform
Both chambers now want to put $9 billion toward public schools and levy reductions. But they disagree about how to spread it out.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House committee advances priority property tax legislation, keeping 2.5 percent election trigger
The vote, called around 1 a.m., was 8-3. The lone Democrat who voted in support of the new measure was state Rep. Ryan Guillen, the vice chair of the committee.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House approves 2020-21 budget plan, with extra $9 billion for school finance, property tax relief
The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Border lawmaker makes another push to put eight-liners on local ballots
Rep. Richard Raymond has introduced bills to get rid of the gambling machines for years. This time, he’s trying a different approach.