The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Even before last year's protests, lawmaker scuffles and marathon committee hearings over "sanctuary" legislation, Texas counties were some of the most compliant when it came to immigration enforcement, a new study shows. Full Story
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Running for speaker in a chamber that's nearly two-thirds Republican seems like a long shot for Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas. But there might be things he could gain other than the gavel. Full Story
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Two years ago, Texas won a case blocking an immigration policy just one letter different from DACA. As it challenges the narrower, more popular program, Texas has come armed with the same legal arguments that succeeded last time around. Full Story
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Texas charter schools are sometimes private and sometimes governmental — a legal framework that has helped them avoid costly lawsuits. Full Story
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While President Trump spoke to National Rifle Association members inside a convention center, both sides of America's ongoing conversation about firearms staked their positions in the public square. Full Story
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In a long speech, Trump declared his support for Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and decried the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller. Full Story
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The White House's plan to end the Temporary Protective Status designation for Hondurans would have a widespread effect in Texas. Full Story
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There’s no state or federal law requiring employers to give their workers paid sick leave. But under the mandate recently passed by the Austin City Council, many private employers in the state's capital city will be required to allow their workers to accrue up to 64 hours of paid sick leave per year. Full Story
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Smith, executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, will step down at the end of May after weeks of intense scrutiny over how the commission handles contracts. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott's decision in 2015 to ask the Texas State Guard to monitor a federal military exercise prompted significant criticism. A former CIA director said Wednesday that the move emboldened Russians to next target elections. Full Story
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Our Facebook community, This Is Your Texas, spent the month of April discussing Texas education policy. With the state education agency expected to announce a plan to overhaul special education programs in public schools, we asked members of our community what questions they have about such services — and turned to a disability rights advocate for help answering them. Full Story
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Farenthold resigned in April, months after it came to light that he settled a sexual harassment claim from a former staff member with $84,000 in taxpayer money. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Emma about who's debating whom in the Senate and gubernatorial matchups, what's next for Austin's scooters and the latest names to emerge in the Texas House speaker's race. Full Story
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Four congressional Democrats objected to the pamphlet this week, saying it includes "blatant lies about the safety of abortion." Full Story
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White said Wednesday that he won't be able to divest before the runoff. His opponent, Lupe Valdez, accused him of making decisions based on "what’s politically expedient and not doing right by Texas." Full Story
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State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, filed Wednesday for speaker of the Texas House, making him the first Democrat to enter the race to succeed retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Full Story
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The history of the Confederacy is embedded in Texas’ roots — but since the violent Charlottesville rallies last August, Texas cities continue to grapple with what to do with their Confederate symbols. Full Story
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The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing to fight an Obama-era immigration measure that protects hundreds of thousands of immigrants nationwide from deportation. Full Story
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In another fight over local control, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has thrown his support behind a conservative group suing the capital city over its ordinance. Full Story
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Jolt Texas was created last year to mobilize young Latinos in turning the state blue. Full Story
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