Texas Lawmakers Consider E-Verify Mandate for Agencies
A controversial immigration-enforcement bill similar to an executive order issued by former Gov. Rick Perry in December is moving forward in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Lawmaker "Encouraged" After Meeting With DPS Director
The state's public safety director says if lawmakers let him, he'll provide Rep. César Blanco with data on security operations on the border. The move follows weeks of tense exchanges over how border security dollars are being spent. Full Story
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![DPS chief Steve McCraw outlines plans for the National Guard role securing the Texas border as Gov. Rick Perry, l, and Guard Adjutant General John Nichols listen on July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Gives Early OK to Expanding DNA Testing
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Slideshow: In Darrington, Prisoners Become Preachers, Seek Redemption
Brazoria County’s 33 newest Christian ministers aren’t your typical men of God. Some have been convicted of murder, and those who aren’t murderers are locked away for other serious crimes – most of them violent. Full Story
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![A chapel inside the Darrington Unit, where inmates can participate in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary program to become Christian ministers. The program, funded by the nonprofit Heart of Texas Foundation, was modeled after a similar effort in Angola, La.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas a Flashpoint in National Debate Over Right to Film Police
As videos play an ever larger role in cases of alleged police brutality, "cop watching" is attracting organized activists in communities across the country. Clashes with police are inevitable, and now both sides are asking lawmakers to help clarify the ground rules. Full Story
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![Steve Donahue, of the Peaceful Streets Project, filmed law enforcement during a public intoxication near the University of Texas at Austin on April 24, 2015.]()
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Wendy Davis Fined for Ethics Violation
The Texas Ethics Commission has fined former state Sen. Wendy Davis $5,000 after finding "credible evidence" she failed to disclose her relationship with two lobbyists on financial disclosure forms filed during her 2012 re-election campaign. Full Story
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![State Sen. Wendy Davis speaking to the press after a Travis County Democratic campaign rally on Oct. 22, 2014.]()
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Hate Crimes, Sodomy Law Before House Panel
Texas lawmakers Wednesday considered extending hate crime protections to transgender people and repealing the state’s anti-sodomy law, which remains on the books even though it's been found unconstitutional. Full Story
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Pot Legalization Bill Clears House Panel
State Rep. David Simpson's proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas moved closer to a full House after it was approved by a House committee Wednesday evening. Full Story
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A Smorgasbord of Disclosure, Online for the First Time
A state lawmaker is pushing to make all financial disclosure statements filed with the Texas Ethics Commission available online so the public can easily find them. In that spirit, the Tribune presents the disclosures filed by scores of state agency heads, regents and others that you can't get online now. Full Story
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Senate OKs Sealing More Criminal Records
The criminal records of one-time offenders who stay out of trouble would be sealed and hidden from the public under a bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday. Supporters call it a second chance, but critics fear unknowing employers will pay the price. Full Story
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![Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, then a state representative, at a committee hearing on May 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott Defends Decision to Have State Guard Monitor Jade Helm 15
Gov. Greg Abbott defended his decision to have the Texas State Guard monitor a military training exercise known as Jade Helm 15. He said his office is simply looking to serve as a "communication facilitator" between the military and concerned citizens. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the annual Texas State Prayer Breakfast on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Will He or Won't He? Judge in Perry Case Faces Recusal Questions
More than a week after a judge who once worked for Rick Perry was tapped to hear an appeal in the former governor's indictment, it's still unclear whether he'll see the case through. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry speaks at an Aug. 16, 2014, news conference, the day after a grand jury indicted him on charges related to his veto of public integrity unit funding. "This indictment amounts to nothing more than abuse of power," Perry said.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott: Shooting in Garland Strikes at Heart of First Amendment
Texas' top elected officials on Monday offered an absolute defense of free speech in the wake of a Garland shooting that left two gunmen dead outside a contest featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Complicated Politics of Red Light Cameras
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland's ejection from a House Transportation Committee hearing aside, activists devoted to purging Texas of red light cameras say they aren't thrilled with the bills under consideration this session. Full Story
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Amid Truancy Debate, Whitmire Questions Program's Referrals
State Sen. John Whitmire is asking questions about a program for at-risk youths run by the Texas Military Department where more than half of the applicants are truant students referred by justice of the peace courts or from the schools themselves. Full Story
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Chambers Not Too Far Apart on Border Security
Despite appearances, the House and Senate aren't too far apart on border security funding, says the lone border lawmaker on the budget conference committee. One sticking point is funding for state trooper pay. Full Story
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![State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston and State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen.]()
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Gay Marriage Cases Give Republicans the Jitters
With the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in four same-sex marriage cases on Tuesday, Texas Republicans are already looking for loopholes in hopes of getting around a possible decision that effectively legalizes gay marriage. Full Story
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![During the Defense of Texas Marriage Amendment Rally on Mar. 23, 2015 at the Texas Capitol, a protester raises questions of marriage sanctity noting celebrities who've been married multiple times.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inmate Set for Execution Seeks Supreme Court Stay
Lawyers for a Texas inmate convicted of capital murder in the 1999 stabbing death of a prison guard have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt his Tuesday execution. Full Story
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![Robert Lynn Pruett, scheduled to be executed Tuesday night in Huntsville for the 1999 murder of a Bee County prison guard.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: Breakfast Blowup
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey talk about last week's "breakfast blowup." Full Story
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![Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey talks to WFAA "Inside Texas Politics" host Jason Whitely on April 26, 2015.]()
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Guardianship Reform Could Offer New Freedoms
Dawn Carlton is intellectually disabled, but she says she manages fine on her own. The 38-year-old woman is pushing for a series of bills this legislative session to change the way court-appointed guardians are used in Texas. Full Story
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![Dawn Carlton is pushing for a series of bills this legislative session to change the way court-appointed guardians are used in Texas.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond
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