The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
As the Texas Legislature tries to address a lack of broadband internet access for millions of people, students in rural areas are struggling to keep up academically during remote school. Full Story
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California banned state-funded travel to Texas because of a 2017 religious-refusal law for adoptions in the state, which critics called discriminatory against LGBTQ families. Full Story
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The speaker said Monday he was directing a House committee to establish an email hotline for staffers to submit reports or complaints of harassment in the workplace. Full Story
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State lawmakers, staffers and other Capitol observers have denounced the alleged incident, with several House members declaring on social media that they were banning from their offices any lobbyist or lobby firm associated with the accusation. Full Story
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Huberty, authorities said, appeared flushed, dazed and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. He smelled strongly of alcohol, slurred his speech and failed his walking and balance tests, according to the police report. Full Story
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After the House passed a measure last week that would allow permitless carry of handguns, the Senate is feeling the heat to take up the cause. Full Story
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On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Cassi, Karen and Patrick about efforts to expand Medicaid in Texas, the state of permitless carry in the Senate and what a recent poll had to say about Matthew McConaughey's chances of becoming governor. Full Story
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The junior senator from Texas initially slammed the bill as “a messaging tactic” but supported it in the final vote because he said an amendment made it more palatable. Full Story
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The bill backed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, would create four new processing facilities for asylum seekers and add to federal staffing along the border. Full Story
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Some senators opposed compensation within college athletics, but ultimately supported the legislation to maintain Texas' competitiveness in recruiting efforts as dozens of states consider similar measures. Full Story
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House members filed nearly 240 proposed tweaks to the massive spending plan and spent hours taking votes on controversial issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to school vouchers. Full Story
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Senate Bill 7 would create new restrictions on early voting, how voters can receive applications to vote by mail and the distribution of polling places in diverse, urban counties. Here's our breakdown of the proposed changes. Full Story
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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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The Texas Democrat has spent 2021 so far block walking in South Texas and advocating for voting access before the Texas Legislature. If that means anything for his political future, he isn't saying. Full Story
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Senate Bill 16, filed by State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, would require an individual’s written consent for a state agency to share their personal information. Full Story
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Equality Texas CEO Ricardo Martinez said Texas has filed more anti-LGBTQ bills this session than any other state legislature. Full Story
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Senate Bill 321 would enroll new employees eligible for the Texas Employees Retirement System in a cash balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — instead of the traditional, defined benefit pension plan. Full Story
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Texas Competes, which is made up of more than 1,450 Texas employers, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and industry associations, is advocating the “economic case for equality.” Full Story
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"I plan to meet with law enforcement who oppose permitless carry and with the [National Rifle Association] and [Gun Owners of America] who support it to see if we can find a path that a majority of senators will vote to pass,” Patrick said. Full Story
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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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