The latest 87th legislative session news from The Texas Tribune.
Abbott also put border security and restoring funding to the Legislative branch — which he vetoed last month — on the special session agenda. Full Story
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The Flower Mound lawmaker is the most senior Republican in the upper chamber and has served as its top budget writer for the past four sessions. Full Story
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The Texas GOP chairman made his campaign official Sunday. Full Story
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After killing Republicans' priority voting bill during the regular legislative session, Democratic lawmakers are mulling how to try to stop it in the special session that starts July 8. Full Story
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Legislation that would have funded remote learning at Texas schools failed to pass, leaving families of students who preferred distance learning with months to figure out their options before the fall semester. Full Story
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O'Rourke has visited at least 19 cities this month and plans to hold a final rally Sunday at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Full Story
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The governor said Wednesday he would add the issue to the agenda for an anticipated special session. Full Story
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After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers. Full Story
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House Bill 3979 restricts how teachers can talk about race and current events in public schools. We want to hear from teachers and students on how it could impact what students learn about America's history — and its present. Full Story
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White, chairman of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, has served in the lower chamber since 2011. Full Story
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The meeting will take place Wednesday, according to Harris' office. Full Story
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Critics say the fast-growing Alternatives to Abortion program is secretive and a “waste” of money. But the program has strong supporters in the Republican-controlled Legislature who say it helps those who decide to “choose life in difficult circumstances.” Full Story
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Phelan has touted a list of conservative wins in his first session as House leader, such as passing legislation to let Texans carry handguns without a license and approving some of the strictest restrictions on abortion in the country. Full Story
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The Tribune’s Ross Ramsey breaks down the big takeaways from the 2021 Legislature. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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The news of her decision comes two days after the current land commissioner, George P. Bush, announced he was running for attorney general next year, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton. Full Story
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The provision deals with the window for early voting on Sundays, and the current version of the bill raised concerns that it would hinder get-out-the-vote efforts by Black churches. Full Story
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“No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,” Abbott tweeted Monday. Full Story
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Midnight was the deadline for the House to approve the legislation that would alter nearly the entire voting process, create new limitations to early voting hours, ratchet up voting-by-mail restrictions and curb local voting options. Full Story
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The bill would add an extra four months of health insurance for low-income women, who now get Medicaid coverage from pregnancy until two months after delivery. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature. Full Story
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In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Donna Howard and state Sen. Kel Seliger about sniping and snark on the road to sine die. Full Story
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