With proposal to penalize men for masturbating, legislator aims to shake up health debate
State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Houston Democrat, has filed House Bill 4260, which would fine men $100 for masturbating. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, questions representatives of the Texas Department of State Health Services about state contracts for specific health clinics during an interim hearing on Aug. 15, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
At SXSW, Joe Biden pledges to work with Trump to end "cancer as we know it"
In Austin on Sunday, former Vice President Joe Biden said he hopes the Trump administration will be committed as the Obama administration was to the goal of eradicating cancer. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks about the Biden Cancer Initiative at South by Southwest in Austin on March 12, 2017.]()
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At Dallas County GOP event, Donald Trump Jr. says Texas “came through for this country”
Donald Trump Jr, the Dallas County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner keynote speaker, said Texans’ fundraising efforts were key in helping his father secure a victory in the 2016 presidential election. Full Story
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![Donald Trump, Jr. speaks at the Dallas Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner on March 11, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Federal panel rules some of Texas' congressional districts illegal
Some of the state's 36 congressional districts violate either the U.S. Constitution or the federal Voting Rights Act, a panel of three federal judges ruled Friday. Full Story
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Ted Cruz sends school choice letter to every Republican in Texas Legislature
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to state lawmakers Thursday urging them to make Texas the next state that gives parents taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or religious schools, or educate them at home. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz talks with Sen. John Cornyn and Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, during a TPPF Orientation conference on Jan. 13, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel in Austin.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Homeland Security notes sharp drop in illegal crossings in February
The Trump administration on Wednesday celebrated what the Department of Homeland Security said was an unprecedented drop in illegal crossing on the country’s Southwest border since the president took office Jan. 20. Full Story
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![Customs and Border Protection agents constantly patrol wide gravel roads along the border fence. The traffic — which has increased as border enforcement budgets have soared — is another threat to border wildlife, according to scientists and conservationists.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates urge Texas House panel to amend fetal remains bill by outlawing abortion
What started as a state House committee hearing hearing on a bill that would require Texas hospitals to bury or cremate fetal remains turned into a heated debate over whether the proposal should be amended to abolish abortion completely. Full Story
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![House State Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, at a hearing on the disposal of fetal remains on March 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas poised to spend $2.5 billion on urban highway projects
As budget writers and lawmakers eye billions in voter-approved highway money for other matters, transportation officials are touting high-profile projects that will benefit from those funds. Full Story
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![Cars back up during afternoon weekday traffic on southbound Interstate 45 in Houston north of downtown.]()
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Committee sends Texas "bathroom bill" to full Senate
After 13-plus hours of emotional testimony, largely in opposition, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-1 early Wednesday morning to advance the so-called Texas “bathroom bill" — a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![Transgender activists protest on the Capitol Extension Rotunda prior to a press event opposing passage of SB 6 the bathroom bill on March 7, 2017. Several hundred people have signed up to support and oppose the bill, one of Governor Abbott's emergency items in the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Judge to rule next month on dismissing some charges against Rep. Dawnna Dukes
Citing the statute of limitations, the Austin Democrat seeks to have four of 13 felony counts against her dismissed. Full Story
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![Texas State Representative Dawnna Dukes is honored at the unveiling of the African American Portrait Project at the African American Cultural and heritage Facility in Austin, Texas. June 9, 2014.]()
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"Bathroom bill" testimony runs late into Tuesday evening
The legislation, Senate Bill 6, would require transgender individuals to use the multi-stall bathrooms and locker rooms in schools and other government buildings that match their “biological sex," as well as nix some local anti-discrimination laws. Full Story
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![Witnesses signed up for the Senate State Affairs hearing on SB 6 pack the Extension hearing overflow rooms prior to testimony on March 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Straus on Abbott, bathroom bill: "I never give up on anyone"
Asked if he had given up hope that Gov. Greg Abbott would weigh in on the so-called "bathroom bill," House Speaker Joe Straus responded: “I never give up on anyone.” Full Story
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![Rep. Joe Straus makes remarks after being being sworn in for his fifth term as speaker of the Texas House on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats may call on business community in anti-"sanctuary" bill fight
Outnumbered and with time running out, Texas Democrats hoping to kill anti-"sanctuary" legislation are open to shining a spotlight on so-called "sanctuary industries" that often turn a blind eye toward hiring unauthorized labor. Full Story
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![Rep. Rafael Anchia speaks at the Capitol on April 7, 2015.]()
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Study finds Harris County leads nation in exonerations
Harris County had more exonerations last year than any state in the country, a study has found. That's because the county does something most places don't: It tests evidence in drug cases even after defendants plead guilty. Full Story
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Hundreds of Texans testify to senate committee on "bathroom bill"
The Senate State Affairs Committee took up the so-called bathroom bill on Tuesday and voted to send it to the full Texas Senate after hearing more than 13 hours of testimony. Full Story
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![An all-gender restroom at The University of Texas at Austin.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang / The Texas Tribune -
Paul Ryan raised $5 million during Texas swing
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan raised $5 million while barnstorming Texas in February, attending nine events and eight meetings in five cities including a tour of the border. Full Story
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![U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan at the Republican National Committee in Washington D.C. on April 12, 2016.]()
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Texas "bathroom bill" galvanizes advocates for transgender people
Hundreds of advocates for transgender Texans gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to lobby against the so-called "bathroom bill." Full Story
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![Frank Gonzales (center right), Rachel Gonzales (center) and their daughter Libby attend a rally during Texas Trans Lobby Day at the state Capitol on March 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans expected to revise Texas "bathroom bill"
Texas Republicans are expected to offer a new version of the controversial “bathroom bill” on Tuesday with two significant changes, according to a copy of a committee substitute obtained by The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveil the text of Senate Bill 6, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and universities based on “biological sex,” on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
House leader announces $1.6B school funding plan
The top public education policymaker in the Texas House unveiled a $1.6 billion plan on Monday that he described as a first step to overhauling the state’s beleaguered school funding system. Full Story
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![State Rep. and Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty, R-Houston, speaks at a press conference unveiling the school finance bill on March 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Sen. Lucio, a Democrat, comes out in support of "bathroom bill"
Democratic Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., who has previously bucked his party on social issues, announced he will vote for the so-called bathroom bill while appearing at a news conference with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other bathroom bill supporters. Full Story
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![State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, offers his support for SB 6 the so-called "bathroom bill" during a press conference on March 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune