The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The court ordered Austin to pay a fine to the state for each day it prevented investigators from the attorney general's office from carrying their firearms. Full Story
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State leaders have promised to tackle school safety this session, and lawmakers are expected to push bills that would beef up mental health screening programs and make it easier to arm teachers. Full Story
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In July, Bonnen was a House member with $707,000 in his war chest. After he announced for House Speaker and became the favorite to succeed Joe Straus, he was getting more than $150,000 in donations per day. Full Story
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When it comes to many of the biggest policy issues facing the country today, Beto O’Rourke’s default stance is to call for a debate — even on issues related to the border and immigration. Full Story
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The two top statewide elected officials were sworn in Tuesday to second terms at the helm of Texas government. Full Story
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During his visit, the newly announced presidential candidate highlighted the much-criticized federal response to Hurricane Maria and aimed to distinguish himself as the candidate of an increasingly diverse Democratic Party. Full Story
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After winning re-election in November, both Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are embarking on their second, four-year term. Watch their swearings-in and inaugural speeches here. Full Story
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For the few months of each new 140-day legislative session, the respective chambers typically adjourn after meeting for less than an hour. There are several reasons lawmakers can't get off to a faster start. Full Story
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The proposed budget would increase state funds for education by about 17 percent but cut funding for health and human services by about 3 percent. Full Story
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Amid uncertainty about the federal health law, state legislators will tackle a variety of issues during the session, from abortion to mental health to opioids to funding for Medicaid. Full Story
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Now that Julián Castro has announced he's running for president in 2020, here's a look at some of Castro’s political and financial history. Full Story
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Julián Castro announced his 2020 bid for president in San Antonio on Saturday. Full Story
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Oprah Winfrey is set to sit down with Beto O'Rourke on Feb. 5 as part of a series of conversations she's holding in Times Square in New York City. Full Story
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County party officials overwhelmingly rejected attempts to remove Shahid Shafi because he's Muslim. The 139-49 vote in his favor came after the state's top Republican officials denounced the failed move to oust the trauma surgeon. Full Story
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In our new podcast, Point of Order, Evan Smith asks Dan Huberty, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, what it will take — and what it will cost — for state lawmakers to solve the state's most intractable problem. Full Story
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Amid signs, shouts and waving flags, a veteran says Trump's talk of the border as a war zone is overblown and an immigrant from Mexico says she supports the president's push to protect the border. Full Story
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Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, wants to restrain the practice of prosecuting people who default on rent-to-own contracts for household items like TVs and sofas. The proposal comes in the wake of an investigation of rent-to-own prosecutions by The Texas Tribune and Nerd Wallet. Full Story
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Here’s a look at the demographics of the 86th Legislature by lawmakers’ race, gender, age, education and religion. Full Story
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Watch live coverage of a news conference featuring Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, courtesy of KXAN-TV. Full Story
Some local party members say Shahid Shafi's faith isn't representative of all Tarrant County Republicans. But many Texas GOP officials have denounced the attempt to oust the trauma surgeon and called the move bigoted. Full Story
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