UT System to slash 65 jobs in second round of layoffs
The announcement, made in an internal email, is part of a new but expected wave of cuts aimed at trimming the system's overhead. Full Story
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![The University of Texas System building in Austin, Texas. Photo by Shelby Knowles]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Al Green of Texas will force Trump impeachment vote, defying Nancy Pelosi
The Houston Democrat previously forced an impeachment vote on the U.S. House floor in late 2017, when Republicans held the majority. It was soundly defeated by a 364-58 margin. Full Story
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Credit: Joan Brook for The Texas Tribune -
A fight over paid sick leave is turning into a fight over LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local nondiscrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, explains parts of House BIll 214 to Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, on August 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
A "big announcement" from Beto O'Rourke is on the horizon
During a screening of a documentary that chronicles O'Rourke's failed U.S. Senate bid, the former Democratic congressman's camp sent an email to supporters alerting them to an impending 2020 decision. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso speaks to his supporters at the final campaign rally before elections at UTEP, Monday, November 5, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Trump to nominate Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown to the federal bench
If the U.S. Senate confirms Brown, the state's highest civil court would see its second vacancy in a period of months. Full Story
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![Justice Jeff Brown listens to Philip Durst during the Texas Supreme Court hearing for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice v. Maurie Levin, et al. case on Jan. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Former U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall dies
The longtime congressman was one of the last conservative Democrats to switch to the Republican Party. Full Story
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![U.S. Representative Ralph Hall.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate leaders unveil $1.8 billion package of disaster relief bills
In the first session since Hurricane Harvey, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and three top senators are pushing a legislative package aimed at preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Senators Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham and Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, hold a press conference to announce the filing of Senate bills 6, 7, and 8. Mar. 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Santa Fe official testifies in somber committee hearing on school safety bills
The proposals that earned the support of lawmakers of all political stripes included ones that strengthen security and beef up mental health initiatives in schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
We're bringing 2020 to Texas. Watch Conversations About America’s Future at SXSW.
We're streaming live interviews with John Kasich, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Bill Weld, Julián Castro, John Hickenlooper and Kevin McCarthy. Full Story
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![John Kasich and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.]()
Credit: Knowles/Schlegel for The Texas Tribune -
GOP senator, oil industry clash over proposed eminent domain reforms
At a public hearing on Monday, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst — who has long tried to strengthen protections for landowners facing condemnation — challenged officials from fossil fuel groups who said her latest legislation would drag down energy production. Full Story
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![Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, at a state Senate Committee on Nominations hearing for Texas Secretary of State David Whitley on Feb. 7, 2019. Whitley was appointed to the job by Gov. Greg Abbott, but Whitley must first clear the committee, then win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Broad Texas school safety bill proposes threat assessment teams, expanded emergency training
It’s unclear how much it would cost to implement all of Sen. Larry Taylor’s proposals. Senate Bill 11 appears to take an unspecified amount from the rainy day fund to help cover the costs. Full Story
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![After an extended evening recess, Sen Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, begins an explanation of the committee substitute to House Bill 21, the school finance bill on Aug. 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Will Texas decriminalize marijuana this year? There is growing support.
The repercussions Texans face for possessing small amounts of pot — something several states no longer consider criminal — can all depend on where in the state they live. Some lawmakers want an across-the-board relaxation of criminal charges. But stigma fuels lingering opposition. Full Story
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![Sydney Sigler, 26, holds her daughter in her home in Robinson, Texas on Feb. 26, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
In the House, the property tax bill is being handled with a different speed — and tone
State Rep. Dustin Burrows, author of the House bill, said the House Ways and Means Committee is "not just trying to get something across the finish line as quick as we can." Full Story
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![Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means listen to testimony on HB 2 on Feb. 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel advances bill banning cities from adopting sick leave ordinances
The bill would also nullify mandates some local city councils in major Texas cities have already tried to put in place. The measure is now eligible to be taken up by the full Senate. Full Story
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![The Senate Committee on State Affairs listens to testimony on SB 15 at a hearing at the State Capitol. Feb. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The top places Texas lawmakers go to wine, dine and deal during legislative session
Not everyone in the Texas Legislature gets deals done under the dome. Some lawmakers are drawn to bars, clubs and restaurants around the state Capitol for the quiet or the queso. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel advances David Whitley's nomination for secretary of state
The vote was 4-3 along party lines. Whitley now needs two-thirds support of the full Senate to be confirmed. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley at a state Senate Committee on Nominations hearing on Feb. 7, 2019. Whitley was appointed to the job by Gov. Greg Abbott, but Whitley must first clear the committee, then win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas from purging voters in citizenship review
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery called the review "ham-handed" and ordered counties not to remove voters from the rolls without his approval and "a conclusive showing that the person is ineligible to vote." Full Story
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![A long line of voters wait to cast their ballots at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall in San Antonio late Friday afternoon, Nov. 2, the last day of early voting.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Teacher pay raises, voter citizenship reviews and Beto's big decision
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Aliyya, Emma and Patrick about the word we’re awaiting from Beto O’Rourke, the latest on the controversial voter citizenship review, Dan Patrick’s teacher pay raise proposal and Julián Castro’s presidential bid. Full Story
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![From left: Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder: Castro/Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson: O'Rourke -
Democrats had historic gains in Texas in 2018. They're setting their sights on even more in 2020.
National Democratic groups are signaling they are serious about committing money in Texas. “It’s one of our top opportunities in the whole country,” said U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, an Illinois Democrat who chairs the House Democratic campaign arm. Full Story
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![Wall at the Travis County Democratic Party headquarters in Austin, Texas]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers have tried to end daylight saving time for years. Can they do it this session?
State lawmakers are again trying to abolish daylight saving time in Texas, arguing it's antiquated. But supporters of the practice argue it gives Texans a crucial extra hour of light in the evenings during the summer months. Full Story
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