The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
On June 26, 2003, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law banning gay sodomy — a watershed moment for gay rights. But 15 years later, same-sex couples face another court case that aims to roll back their rights. Full Story
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Ask Texas voters about their families' economic situations and they'll tell you how things are going. Ask them about the state of the country or Texas and they'll reveal their partisanship. Full Story
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The July 31 special election to replace state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, who resigned Thursday, has attracted eight candidates. The list includes Uresti's brother, Tomas Uresti, a state representative who lost his re-election bid in the March primary. Full Story
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The $5 billion housing recovery plan will be administered in two parts: $2.3 billion directly allocated for Houston and Harris County and $2.7 billion for all other disaster areas. Full Story
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Texas Republicans in top races, led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott, are running ahead of their Democratic challengers, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Former state Sen. Wendy Davis' 2013 filibuster of anti-abortion legislation was an unforgettable event for lawmakers and political observers on both sides of the aisle. Five years later, listen in as key players in the debate reflect on their longest night. Full Story
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In a detention center near Houston, an asylum seeker from Honduras said he agreed to sign a voluntary removal order from the U.S. after federal officials promised to reunite him with his 6-year-old daughter. Full Story
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Texas Democrats held their biennial convention this weekend in Fort Worth, putting on a largely united front and focusing intensely on the family separation crisis at the border, among other highlights from the three-day gathering. Full Story
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Party delegates in Fort Worth also decided to back required paid sick leave for working Texans and oppose building a wall on the Texas-Mexico border. Many platform ideals contradict those of Republicans, who hold every statewide office and control both chambers of the Legislature. Full Story
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Joined by a senator from New Mexico, the two Texas congressmen got a short tour of the detention camp and said nearly 300 minors are there, including some whose parents have been deported to their home countries. Full Story
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The family separations crisis quickly emerged as the top issue at the state Democratic biennial convention, fueling anger and enthusiasm as the minority party charges into a general election season determined to push back against Trump and his GOP allies in Texas. Full Story
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The decision comes years after the state found that Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership, a subsidiary of Xerox, allowed workers with limited expertise to approve dental claims for the state's Medicaid program. Full Story
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For Japanese-Americans who were held at a South Texas internment camp, the trauma inflicted on migrant children who have been separated from their parents is all too familiar. Full Story
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A lack of space and a legal settlement stand in his administration's way. Full Story
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A company official told Texas lawmakers Thursday that parents and children have the opportunity to be in contact. But it's still not clear how that may lead to family reunification. Full Story
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Texas loses an estimated $1.1 billion each year in uncollected sales tax from online retailers that don't have a physical presence in the state. Full Story
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Texas' Hispanic population increased from 9.7 million in 2010 to 11.1 million last year, according to new census population estimates. Meanwhile, the state's white population has increased by about 458,000 people. Full Story
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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order he says will "keep the families together" when they're apprehended illegally crossing the border. But that does little for families who have already been split apart. Full Story
After a report from the newspaper revealing mishaps in the state's managed health care program, lawmakers pushed for answers from representatives from state agencies and private companies involved in the matter. Full Story
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After initially being turned away at the border in El Paso, two families were allowed to enter the United States Wednesday to seek asylum with help from Ruben Garcia, the director of a local shelter who has made a practice of escorting immigrants across the bridge. Full Story
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