The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The "Tax Man," a Republican senator from Houston, has his best chance yet to shake up Texas' property tax system. But it's going to be an uphill battle. Full Story
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In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Mike Wilson, editor of The Dallas Morning News, and Debbie Hiott, general manager of Austin public radio station KUT, about the romantic ideal and precarious reality of the Capitol press corps. Full Story
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President Donald Trump backed down from his threat on Thursday to close the southern border immediately, telling reporters at the White House that he is giving Mexico a one-year warning before taking action. Full Story
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The presidential candidate is walking a fine line on a tricky political issue. His wife, Amy O'Rourke, once launched a charter school and continues to be an advocate for the controversial education model. Full Story
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Some business groups who thought they had a slam dunk bill on employment benefits are now worried that LGBTQ opposition they tried to prevent could kill one of their priorities. Full Story
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As of July 18, Texas’ 35 state-licensed shelters had permission to accommodate up to 6,286 children, according to the state health commission. With 4,937 kids living in them, that means they’re at 78% capacity. Full Story
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Eliminating the lockbox requirement for school marshals was one of many suggestions Gov. Greg Abbott outlined for the Legislature in a 43-page plan released weeks after last year's deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School. Full Story
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The two-year plan, which must still pass the full Senate, includes a $9 billion infusion for public schools and property tax relief and up to $900 million in cuts to Medicaid. Full Story
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The bill passed on a 19–12 vote, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat voting for it. It requires one more approval in the Senate before it heads to the Texas House. Full Story
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Activist conservative groups have long been aligned with the lawmakers they helped elect, like Texas House Freedom Caucus members and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Are they still on the same page? Full Story
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After President Trump bucked tradition and withheld his tax returns during his successful 2016 campaign, Democrats vying for their party's 2020 nomination are vowing to make such information public. Full Story
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It would take “something dramatic” in the coming days to persuade President Donald Trump not to close the U.S.-Mexico border, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said Sunday. Full Story
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Watch O'Rourke's rally in El Paso. Full Story
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“The Constitution’s protection of religious liberty is somehow even better than Chick-fil-A’s chicken,” Paxton wrote in a Thursday letter to San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the rest of the council. Full Story
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The House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to the state Thursday asking for documents related to the review. Full Story
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Both chambers now want to put $9 billion toward public schools and levy reductions. But they disagree about how to spread it out. Full Story
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In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Sen. Jose Menéndez about marijuana’s bipartisan moment — how the politics of legalization, decriminalization, medical cannabis and CBD oil make for strange budfellows. Full Story
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The vote, called around 1 a.m., was 8-3. The lone Democrat who voted in support of the new measure was state Rep. Ryan Guillen, the vice chair of the committee. Full Story
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The groups are targeting two priority bills in the Texas Senate. Full Story
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The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account. Full Story
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