The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
A study published this week in a medical journal revealed that a new state methodology drastically reduced the count of maternal deaths in Texas for 2012. What will that mean for state policy on maternal mortality? Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Evan talks to Ross, Patrick, Shannon and State Rep. Roland Gutierrez about the possibility of a Senate special election, food insecurity on college campuses and how the U.S. House speaker's unexpected retirement affects Texas congressional elections. Full Story
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The decision could spur Republicans in Texas to seek leadership positions. Fundraising in the state and elsewhere could also be affected. Full Story
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Students across Texas are taking state standardized tests this week. Take some of the tests' most difficult questions to see if you'd pass. Full Story
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Two years after software problems rendered results on the statewide STAAR exam unusable, students taking the test Tuesday reported more technical problems. Full Story
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Stockman, a Republican who represented the Houston suburbs twice in the U.S. House before losing a longshot bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014, is accused of funneling more than $1 million of charitable donations toward personal and campaign expenses. Full Story
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The Wisconsin Republican's sweep across the state included public promotion of last year's income tax overhaul, private fundraising events and a three-day retreat on politics and policy in Austin. Full Story
"While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it's time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," the Corpus Christi Republican, who has been dogged by sexual harassment allegations, said in a statement. Full Story
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The U.S. Department of Justice's directive tells federal prosecutors on the southwest border to prosecute all Department of Homeland Security referrals for alleged violations of federal immigration illegal-entry laws. Full Story
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A handful of elected officials used more than $28 million from their campaign accounts for investments, making it the second largest category of expenditures in the 2018 election cycle. Full Story
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Labor groups are praising Democrat Laura Moser's campaign for its collective bargaining agreement. But some argue campaigns are too unpredictable to guarantee workers the benefits that come with unionizing. Full Story
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Texas state law says that teachers could lose their teaching certificates and pensions if they go on strike. Full Story
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A mandate handed down by the Trump administration designed to speed up activity within the country’s clogged immigration court system could actually have the opposite effect, the president of the National Association of Immigration Judges said Wednesday. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick, Corrie and Democratic congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones about the CD-23 race, Beto O'Rourke's latest fundraising haul and the kickoff of Ted Cruz's reelection campaign. Full Story
The chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee said he was "stunned" to learn there is an obscure law that makes it easy for rent-to-own companies to file criminal charges against customers who fall behind on payments. The committee is looking at changing the law after a joint investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet. Full Story
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As the future of NAFTA remains in flux, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday asked the country's top trade representative to retain two long-standing provisions of the trade pact that have boosted the Texas economy. Full Story
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A federal judge has ruled that Texas violated the federal National Voter Registration Act. The fix he orders could introduce the state's first online voter registration system. Full Story
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O'Rourke also said he doesn't want to repeal the Second Amendment, and that taxes are too low for corporations. Full Story
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Our Facebook community This Is Your Texas spent the month of March discussing civic engagement in the Lone Star State. We took some of the group’s questions to three experts on the subject. Full Story
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"Texans aren't afraid," U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Monday morning in Beaumont. "Texans are strong. Texans are free...Texans are tough." The rally marked the beginning of a 12-city, three-day tour of Texas to kick off Cruz's re-election bid. Full Story
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