The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The next session of the Texas Legislature is months away, but by the time it actually starts, a lot of the work will already be done. Lawmakers are working on early versions of their legislation right now — before some of them have even been elected. Full Story
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Republicans say they don’t want young kids learning about sex. Educators say that’s already the standard. Full Story
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Texas Military Department leaders say they’ve addressed many of the issues that arose late last year when the mission ramped up to 10,000 service members — but more money is needed to run the mission at its current pace. Full Story
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After Texas passed a ban on abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, more Texans went to Oklahoma for the procedure than to any other state. Now, in a surprise move, the Oklahoma Legislature is cutting off that option. Full Story
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The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade. Full Story
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The race will determine who finishes the term of former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. Full Story
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Witnesses say Kim Olson pushed the party’s top staffer during a bus tour in 2018. Olson denies the allegation. Full Story
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A persistent, meticulous and empathetic reporter, Dey was a spring 2022 fellow at The Texas Tribune. Before that, she was an intern at the Chicago Sun-Times, NPR, Chalkbeat Chicago and City Limits. Full Story
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As Texas defends against accusations that its new political maps are discriminatory, it’s laying the groundwork to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out longstanding Voting Rights Act protections. Full Story
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A new Texas Lyceum poll finds the state’s voters in a sour mood — particularly around economic issues. That’s useful information for candidates during this election year, and for the officeholders who’ll be trying to put things in order after the elections. Full Story
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In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Reese and Mitchell about the fallout from sexual abuse allegations at a state-contracted children’s shelter and Russian threats against Texas’ energy infrastructure. Full Story
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The Republican former Texas senator also says America should issue harsher sanctions against Russia. Full Story
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Vela’s resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m. Thursday in a move he said was coming. Gov. Greg Abbott can now call a special election to fill his unfinished term. Full Story
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The family of Botham Jean, who was fatally shot by a Dallas police officer in his apartment, sent state Rep. Jasmine Crockett a cease-and-desist letter. Full Story
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Reyes faces Pete Flores in the May 24 Republican primary runoff for the open state Senate seat. Flores is backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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Casar won the Democratic primary for Texas’ 35th Congressional District in a landslide victory last month and is expected to win the general election in November. Full Story
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Reed is one of two known Texans in Russian custody. In February, Russian authorities detained WNBA star Brittney Griner, claiming she was in possession of cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. Full Story
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Texas got a temporary reprieve on Medicaid funding from the federal government. But that won’t solve underlying problems with high numbers of uninsured Texans and the plight of hospitals in the state — especially those in rural areas. Full Story
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We cannot wait to see you there. With elections looming and issues aboil, we have our best-ever program planned. Full Story
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Budget hawks deride the fighter jet, built largely in Fort Worth, as a costly boondoggle. But with war in Ukraine, the F-35’s presence is being felt across Europe. Full Story
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