In the first session since Hurricane Harvey, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and three top senators are pushing a legislative package aimed at preparing the state for natural disasters.
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
Texas may soon have to report the temperatures inside its uncooled prisons
The requirement was included in a budget amendment approved by a House subcommittee Wednesday.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Democrat Christina Morales wins Texas House seat formerly held by Alvarado
Carol Alvarado gave up the seat in December after winning a promotion to the Texas Senate.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas teacher pay emerges as a sticking point between House and Senate
The Senate is proposing $5,000 raises for each teacher and librarian. The House is calling for raising minimum salaries and increasing benefits.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Houston voters to decide Tuesday between 2 Democrats for Carol Alvarado’s Texas House seat
Democrats Christina Morales and Melissa Noriega are on the ballot Tuesday for the Texas House seat previously held by now-state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston.
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Texas Legislature 2019
A Texas legislative session without an abortion fight? Unlikely.
Despite the fact that lawmakers have so far been focused on bipartisan “bread and butter” issues like property taxes and school finance, more than a dozen abortion-related bills are circulating in the state Capitol.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Amid Dallas bribery scandal, legislator takes aim at Texas law addressing some low-income housing projects
State Rep. Eric Johnson said he plans to file legislation that would halt the practice of soliciting letters from elected officials supporting or opposing housing developments being considered for federal tax credits.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief
Members of the Texas House received their first look at the soon-to-be-filed proposal in a one-page summary circulating around the Texas Capitol Monday afternoon.
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Texas Legislature 2019
GOP senator, oil industry clash over proposed eminent domain reforms
At a public hearing on Monday, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst — who has long tried to strengthen protections for landowners facing condemnation — challenged officials from fossil fuel groups who said her latest legislation would drag down energy production.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate unanimously passes $5,000 teacher pay raises, adding librarians
The proposal faces an uphill climb in the lower chamber, with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen saying he prefers to give school districts flexibility on addressing teacher pay.