The 89th Legislature’s regular session runs from Jan. 14 to June 2, 2025. Republicans control both the Texas House and Senate. We focus on what Texans need to know about the 140-day lawmaking session and how the policies legislators craft could impact people’s lives. For more behind-the-scenes updates from the session, subscribe to The Blast, the Texas Tribune’s premier newsletter that serves the first word on political moves across the state.
Five years after weathering a major Republican House leadership controversy, Burrows finds himself at the center of another skirmish — this time as he seeks the speaker’s gavel himself. Full Story
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Republicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow. Full Story
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In a Q&A, Burrows said he’s still confident he’ll win. But he says the leadership race is bigger than any one person and his supporters are trying to protect the integrity of the House. Full Story
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Advocates say a law school in one of the state's poorest regions would exponentially help communities with legal aid. Full Story
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The request, which includes hiring more staff and updating the online application system, comes as applicants must wait for months to receive approval for benefits. Full Story
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Under state Sen. Paul Bettencourt’s bill, some individuals could submit requests for explanations of ‘election irregularities’ and potentially bring them to the Texas Secretary of State. Full Story
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Burrows claims the support of a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, while Cook has the endorsement of the GOP caucus. Full Story
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With Speaker Dade Phelan out of the race, Republican state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows will now face off. Full Story
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Texas Republicans are poised to pick the statehouse lower chamber’s next leader this weekend. Full Story
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Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield. Full Story
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Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination. Full Story
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Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. Full Story
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Patrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products. Full Story
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Emboldened by the recent election, some Texas lawmakers are already filing bills that would dictate bathroom use, limit gender identity markers on documents and restrict funding for surgeries. Full Story
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Almost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby. This plan offers legislative proposals to shore up what’s left. Full Story
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The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates. Full Story
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One bill has been filed so far, while a pair of lawsuits focus attention on the issue. Full Story
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The proposal comes after the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency said it needs more money to plug wells that are in some instances erupting. Full Story
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Tuesday marked the first day lawmakers could file bills for next year’s legislative session. Full Story
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Lawmakers discussed public education, gun laws and health care policy at a daylong Texas Tribune event. Full Story