“Complete transparency is paramount; allowing select political insiders to hear it in private isn’t going to cut it,” said state Rep. Chris Turner, chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Chris Turner
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Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill requiring children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats
Abbott said the measure “is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization.”
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Texas Legislature 2019
Through the lens: The 86th Texas Legislature in photos
Take a look back at the 2019 regular legislative session as seen through the lenses of Texas Tribune photographers.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House approves property tax reform bill, setting up negotiations with the Senate
The House approved the bill designed to slow local property tax revenue growth, but made the bill contingent on the passage of a school finance bill, which is still pending in the Senate.
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Higher Education
Watch: A higher education conversation with state Sen. Brandon Creighton and state Rep. Chris Turner
Watch our interview with state Sen. Brandon Creighton and state Rep. Chris Turner, moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith.
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Politics
Texas House approves online posting of politicians’ personal financial statements
The Texas House preliminarily approved the requirement that the personal financial statements of state politicians and bureaucrats be posted online.
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Health care
Gov. Greg Abbott’s top health appointee draws bipartisan fire at hearing
Both Republican and Democratic members of a key legislative oversight committee unloaded on Gov. Greg Abbott’s top health appointee Thursday, putting him and others on the hot seat for hours about alleged contracting abuses.
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State Government
Top Republican counsels against secret taping
After unconfirmed reports that House members were recording private conversations with colleagues, the Republican who oversees internal affairs in the chamber said he’s asked members to refrain from any surreptitious taping.
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Criminal Justice
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Open Government Track
The Open Government track at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured a panel discussion on public integrity and state government and a conversation over ethics. We also featured a conversation with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
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State Government
Ethics Reform: A Guide to What’s Still Alive
Now that the massive overhaul contained in Senate Bill 19 has gone on life support, a few targeted efforts to shine the light on conflicts of interest and enhance transparency remain. Here’s a guide to what’s moving and what’s not.