Texas may expand ballot access for elderly and voters with disabilities
A bill that cleared the Legislature aims to prevent voter fraud at nursing homes and widen ballot access for elderly Texans. Somehow, politics didn't get in the way. Full Story
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![The popular "I Voted" stickers at a South Texas early voting location on Oct. 26, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Abbott signs bill to eliminate straight-ticket voting beginning in 2020
After years of Texas voters having the option to vote for an entire party's slate in one fell swoop, the straight-ticket option will be no longer available beginning in 2020 under a bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed Thursday. Full Story
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![Travis County voters cast ballots at Travis County Tax Office on Feb. 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Analysis: Legislators show that men will be boys — if you let them
It’s hard to imagine a female Legislature devolving into a parking lot rumble like the one that embarrassed Texas nationally this week. The ruckus in the House punctuated what many lawmakers have called a notably ugly session. Full Story
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![Following a "sanctuary cities" ban protest in the gallery, lawmakers tussle on the House floor on May 29, 2017 — the last day of the 85th regular legislative session.]()
Credit: Nar Dorrycott -
Even before House scuffle, Rinaldi's seat was a high 2018 target for Democrats
State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, who drew national attention as part of an incident on the Texas House floor in which he said he reported protesters to ICE, represents one of 10 Republican-held House districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, on the floor of the House after a scuffle with some members of the Hispanic Caucus on the last day of the 85th Legislature, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas Legislature blows its deadline
The state's top leaders couldn't close a session-ending deal over the final weekend, giving advocates of bathroom and property tax legislation — if the governor allows it — another chance. Full Story
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![At an outdoor bill-signing ceremony in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott tells reporters he'll make an announcement on a special session later this week.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott promises special session announcement "later this week"
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday promised to make an announcement "later this week" on whether he will call a special session. Full Story
![At an outdoor bill-signing ceremony in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott tells reporters he'll make an announcement on a special session later this week.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers teeter on the brink of special session
As of Sunday night, lawmakers still had little to show for two assignments Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had given them in the home stretch: property tax reform and a "bathroom bill" that would regulate which restrooms transgender Texans can use. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott looks on as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Joe Straus shake hands at the Capitol on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Legislature approves bill requiring disclosure of government contracts
Politicians who make money off government contracts will have to disclose the work under a bill that got final approval in the Legislature Sunday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House, Senate OK compromise on bill to soften voter ID law
The House and Senate have approved a compromise on voter ID legislation, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![Voter ID regulations posted at a south Texas early voting location on Oct. 26, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
"Buy American" iron and steel bill gets legislative approval
On Saturday, both chambers approved a "Buy American" iron and steel bill that will expand a provision already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board. The measure now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![A construction site in Austin's Warehouse District on May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Oversized tweets from a Texas trainwreck
It's the last Saturday of the legislative session — a day combining long, boring periods of inactivity with high levels of drama. In other words: perfect for a wandering mind. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Joe Straus on the dais in the House chamber for a joint session memorializing the nation's veterans, on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Patrick, Straus deadlocked over "bathroom bill"
In dueling press conferences Friday evening, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus revealed themselves at an impasse over bathroom regulations that could prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and House Speaker Joe Straus, right, from dueling press conferences they each held on May 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Cassandra Pollock/Alexa Ura -
Texas governor jokes about shooting reporters after signing gun bill
After signing a bill and testing out a few guns at a shooting range Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott held up his bullet-riddled target sheet and joked, "I'm gonna carry this around in case I see any reporters." Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott admires his practice target after signing Senate Bill 16, which reduces the first-time fee for a license to carry handguns, on May 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Mike Floyd’s first job after graduating high school? Helping run a school district
A high school senior reflects on his unlikely victory over an incumbent school board member, and what his generation is bringing to Texas politics. Full Story
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![Mike Floyd, a senior at Dawson High School in Pearland, on May 16, 2017. Floyd recently ran for and won a seat on the Pearland ISD school board.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
House, Senate strike deal on “Buy American” iron and steel bill
Senate Bill 1289 by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would require large state projects to purchase iron and steel from an American supplier if the cost doesn’t exceed 20 percent more than the price of cheaper, foreign imports. Full Story
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![Construction in downtown Austin's Warehouse District on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas Republicans in Congress want special session on redistricting
Several Texas Republicans in Congress told the Tribune they want Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to redraw the state's congressional map. Yet all signs suggest Abbott isn't interested. Full Story
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![The current Texas congressional district map.]()
Credit: Graphic by The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate looks to resurrect bathroom, property tax bills
The Texas Senate, hoping to resurrect its versions of bathroom and property tax proposals dear to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, grafted both of them onto unrelated county affairs legislation early Wednesday morning. Full Story
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![At a May 17, 2017, news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters that the House had to pass two items — property tax reform and the "bathroom bill" — or he'd look to force a special session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Killing Texas ethics legislation without leaving fingerprints
It's hard to get tougher ethics laws for politicians and officeholders through the Texas Legislature. It can be even harder to figure out exactly who killed them. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, leads a discussion on House Bill 501, an ethics bill, on May 3, 2017. The bill passed, 147-0.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Field to replace Mechler takes shape
The most-discussed potential candidates had all made up their minds by the end of Tuesday, with a two-way race emerging between Houston-area businessman Rick Figueroa and Travis County GOP Chairman James Dickey. Full Story
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![Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler speaks at the State Republican Convention in Dallas on May 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate will reject House's "bathroom bill" compromise
The legislative wrangling over where transgender Texans can use the bathroom isn’t over yet. Full Story
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![State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, on the floor of the Senate on Sunday, May 21, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune
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