Texas’ larger cities would face financial penalties for cutting police budgets under bill approved by House
Previously, the Senate approved a bill that would ask for an election if cities decide to reduce law enforcement budgets. Full Story
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![The Austin Police Department building with the Austin skyline in the background on March 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Protesters who obstruct emergency vehicles could face felony charges under bill passed by Texas House
The bill is in response to nationwide protests against police brutality last year. Full Story
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![Demonstrators block traffic and march past vehicles on I-35 during a protest against police violence in Austin on May 31, 20…]()
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Bail in Texas could see key changes under House bill, but some lawmakers still see an unequal system
The Texas House on Tuesday approved House Bill 20, one of Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency items this year, and sent it to the Senate. Full Story
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![Around the Clock Bail Bonds on 10th St. and Nueces in Austin on May 8, 2019.]()
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Army report finds Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén reported being sexually harassed twice before she was killed
The investigation did not find evidence that Guillén's alleged killer had sexually assaulted her. Full Story
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![A mural in honor of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén in the Dove Springs neighborhood of south Austin. July 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Bill allowing permitless carrying of handguns advances to Texas Senate floor, where its fate remains uncertain
The bill would nix the requirement for most Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns. Texans would also no longer be required to receive training before carrying a handgun in public. Full Story
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![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
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The criminal penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana would be reduced under a bill passed by the Texas House
The measure likely faces an uphill climb in the Senate, where two years ago Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opposed similar legislation. Full Story
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Texas House passes package of police reform bills, including measure requiring more substantive disciplinary action for police misconduct
The chamber approved three police reform measures that are part of a sweeping set of legislation following the in-custody murder of George Floyd last year. Full Story
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![State troopers stand guard at the state Capitol grounds to prevent protesters from entering during a protest over the death …]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Freshman GOP Texas congressman made a personal pitch to Joe Biden: Let me help with criminal justice reform
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, the former sheriff of Fort Bend County, made the request after Biden's joint address Wednesday night. Biden's answer: "I’ll reach out to you." Full Story
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![U.S. President Joe Biden briefly spoke with U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, after delivering an address to a joint session of…]()
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Before Austin shooting, suspect’s family pleaded for more protection: "I’m afraid he might hurt me"
Advocates say the episode is a horrific example of a long-standing problem that hardly ever makes headlines: America’s criminal justice system too often fails to protect victims of domestic and family violence from their abusers. Full Story
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![Law enforcement personnel investigate the scene of a deadly shooting at an apartment complex in Austin on April 18, 2021. S…]()
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Relatives of Texans killed by police hope Derek Chauvin’s conviction will advance the state’s George Floyd Act
“If this doesn’t push it, we don’t know what will,” says Debbie Bush. She has been fighting for greater accountability for police violence since her nephew was shot in the back by a San Antonio officer seven years ago. Full Story
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![Deborah Bush, the aunt of police shooting victim Marquise Jones, spoke at a rally to support the Texas George Floyd Act outs…]()
Credit: Charlie L. Harper III for The Texas Tribune -
A year after Vanessa Guillén’s murder, family and advocates say not enough has changed in the military
The Texas woman’s death exposed a pattern of violence and abuse against soldiers at Fort Hood, the U.S. military’s largest active-duty base. It also sparked national outrage over federal officials’ handling of sexual harassment and noncombat deaths. Full Story
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![People gathered at a mural and memorial honoring Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén at Taqueria del Sol on Sunday, July 5, 2020.]()
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Texas prisons reverse course, will allow religious advisers in execution chamber
The U.S. Supreme Court has twice stopped Texas executions over claims that previous prison policies were discriminatory and violated religious freedoms. Full Story
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![Interior of execution chamber.]()
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Lawyer for George Floyd's family wants to turn attention back to case of Pamela Turner, a Texas woman killed by police in 2019
Turner’s death in Baytown was partially captured on video by a bystander. Her family has filed a federal lawsuit that goes to trial next month, and the officer has been indicted on an aggravated assault charge. Full Story
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![Pamela Turner was killed by a Baytown police officer in May of 2019.]()
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Texas officials and activists say murder conviction for George Floyd’s death “is only one step” in reforming policing
Before moving to Minneapolis, Floyd had been a longtime Houston resident. That city's mayor on Tuesday said he and the Houston Police Department would be announcing police reforms next week. Full Story
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![People react after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, found guilty of the death of…]()
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Analysis: The Texas Legislature starts its biennial race against the clock
Lawmakers have only six weeks left on their calendar, and most of the big things they set out to do aren’t finished. A session that started very quietly will end with a sprint. Full Story
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![Maskless lawmakers speak to one another on the Senate floor prior to the session beginning on March 2, 2021.]()
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Texas Senate approves bail bill that would keep more people in jail if they can’t post cash bonds
Senate Bill 21 would require cash bail for people who have ever been convicted of a violent crime. Full Story
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![Kwik Out Bail Bonds on 18th St. and Nueces in Austin on May 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Senate has approved a new statewide appeals court. Critics contend it's another attempt to limit Democrats' power.
The proposed court would handle some of the state's most high-profile appeals, which are typically handled by the mostly Democrat 3rd Court of Appeals based in Austin. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ highest criminal court tosses death sentence of Raymond Riles, state’s longest-serving death row inmate
Riles has been deemed mentally incompetent for execution repeatedly in his decades on death row. Full Story
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![The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Former Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst arrested on domestic violence charge
Dewhurst ran against Ted Cruz for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and was ousted from his No. 2 spot in Texas government by Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst ends the 83rd regular session an announces a special session to begin at 6:00PM on May 27, 2013.]()
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Voters would have to approve police budget cuts under bill approved by Texas Senate
Despite loud opposition from Democrats who said the legislation overstepped local governments, Senate Bill 23 passed with broad bipartisan support. Full Story
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![Police look on as demonstrators gathered outside Austin Police headquarters for another night of protest against police viol…]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune