The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Revenue for 10 emergency power plants would come from a monthly charge on Texans’ power bills. The proposal is just one of several bills lawmakers are considering after February's massive power outages. Full Story
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House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Texans under current state law must generally be licensed to carry handguns, either openly or concealed. Full Story
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Senate Bill 21 would require cash bail for people who have ever been convicted of a violent crime. Full Story
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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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On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Cassi, Jolie and Mitchell about the condition of the Texas power grid and legislation related to policing. Full Story
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The TV and radio ads, which are set to start airing Thursday, make the case that Texas is forfeiting "billions" in tourism dollars to nearby states that allow casinos. Full Story
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The Montgomery County Republican has served in the U.S. House for more than two decades. Full Story
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The former Republican governor is throwing his weight behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, that would order a clinical study of using psilocybin — found in "magic mushrooms" — to help veterans with mental health problems. Full Story
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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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The Senate action, which must still be approved by the House, would require the governor to call a special session in order to declare a state emergency that lasts more than 30 days. Full Story
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The policy required asylum seekers who passed through Mexico on their way to the U.S. to stay in Mexico while their claims were processed. Many were forced to live in sometimes dangerous and unsanitary migrant camps. Full Story
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In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Senate Transportation Chair Robert Nichols about Infrastructure Week and the challenges of getting people and goods from point to point in a fast-growing, rapidly urbanizing state. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers have filed six bills that target transgender students’ sports participation — and two of those bills would affect colleges and university sports in addition to K-12. Full Story
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Supporters say Senate Bill 14 will make it easier for businesses to operate in multiple cities. Opponents call it an "existential threat to Texas workers.” Full Story
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Texas voters might still have a hangover from the 2020 elections, but the prospective candidates don’t — they’re already maneuvering for the 2022 elections. Full Story
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An outraged Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick castigated those implying that GOP efforts to restrict Texas voting are racist. But the state has a history of marginalizing voters of color, and many business leaders, voting rights advocates and Democrats see it taking another step down that path. Full Story
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Abbott largely remained silent despite reports of widespread abuse in migrant shelters during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Full Story
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The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general's tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton's statements. Full Story
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On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle. Full Story
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10 of the 13 Texas Senate Democrats voted in favor of the "Star Spangled Banner Protection Act," which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named a legislative priority after the Dallas Mavericks stopped playing the national anthem before games. Full Story
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