Greg Abbott builds big war chest ahead of 2018
In his biggest six-month fundraising haul since he took office two years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott raised $9 million in the second half of last year, according to his team. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the first day of the 85th Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Timeline: Attorney General Ken Paxton's Legal Saga
This week, a judge scheduled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial on criminal securities fraud for May 1. Use this timeline to to keep up with the legal and political drama. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is shown at a news conference in Austin on Jan. 13, 2016, to announce a new unit of the attorney general’s office dedicated to combating human trafficking.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers draw battle lines on border security, sanctuary cities
On the same day that Texas House Republicans doubled down on border security efforts and announced plans to send an invoice to the federal government, Senate Democrats said they were committed to fighting bills to eliminate sanctuary cities. Full Story
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![Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Dan Patrick on the budget, school choice and the bathroom bill (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 1/11 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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On day 2 of session, Texas House gets an early taste of "bathroom bill" fight
State Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Tyler Republican, proposed a rule Wednesday requiring people in the Capitol to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex during a House floor debate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, on the House floor on Jan. 11, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fires back at criticism over "bathroom bill"
Patrick continued to fire back Wednesday at criticism of the so-called "bathroom bill" he has championed, saying its opponents are concentrated in the media. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during January 11, 2017 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson takes heat on Russian stance at confirmation hearing
While his fellow Texans, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, predicted Tillerson would serve the country well as the next U.S. secretary of state, others expressed deep reservations about his position on Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Full Story
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![Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, testifies before a Senate Foreign
Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be U.S. secretary of state in Washington, D.C. on January
11, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst -
Texas Legislature faces a shift in border security funding debate (video)
In 2015, state lawmakers approved $800 million for border security efforts. But the election of Donald Trump as president has some Republican lawmakers thinking there will be a change in spending plans this session. Full Story
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Jeb Bush expresses cautious hope for Trump presidency
The former Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful wished the president-elect success during remarks at Texas A&M University on Tuesday evening. Full Story
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![Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at Texas A&M University on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' case headed to grand jury next week
Travis County prosecutors will ask a grand jury to indict State Rep. Dawnna Dukes next Tuesday, KXAN reported Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, on the House floor for opening day of the 85th Legislature on January 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers focus on friendship on legislative session's first day
With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday. Full Story
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![A man preaches in the Capitol rotunda before the start of the 85th Texas Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Cotera for the Texas Tribune -
In 150-0 vote, Texas House backs Speaker Joe Straus for record-tying fifth term
San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was re-elected unanimously by House members Tuesday for a fifth term, joining former House Speakers Pete Laney and Gib Lewis for the longest tenures presiding over the House. 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 -
Rep. Joaquin Castro questions whether Americans cooperated in Russian hack
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, raised questions on Tuesday as to whether any Americans cooperated with Russian intelligence in the hack that hobbled the Hillary Clinton campaign last year. Full Story
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![Former Texas House member and current Congressman Joaquin Castro at TTEvents with Evan Smith on Feb. 19, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hear from Texans at the Capitol on the 85th legislative session's first day
Texans from across the state swarmed the Capitol to watch. Here's what some are hoping to see lawmakers accomplish this session. Full Story
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![Tourists gather around the Lone Star in the Capitol rotunda Jan. 10, 2017 about an hour before the 85th Texas Legislature kicks off.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Tighter Texas budget looms as lawmakers return for another session
State lawmakers will descend on Austin today for the 85th Legislative Session, facing a tight fiscal picture, varying priorities from their leaders and all the politics that naturally accompany the last regular session before statewide elections. Full Story
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Rogue Texas elector explains decision to back Ron Paul
Texas elector Bill Greene added one final twist to a wild presidential race when he voted for former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, on Dec. 19. Full Story
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![Electoral College members pose in front of the Capitol Christmas tree after completing their business at the Texas Capitol on Dec. 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick announces he's running for re-election
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formally announced Monday he's running for re-election, looking to finally quell speculation he's interested in higher office. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a press conference in Austin on Monday to announce he's running for re-election.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick uncertain if "votes are there" for constitutional carry gun bill
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he was uncertain whether support exists in the Legislature for so-called "constitutional carry," which would give all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Once again, the Texas Legislature is mostly white, male, middle-aged
Here’s a look at the demographics of the 85th Legislature by lawmakers’ race, gender, age, education and religion. Full Story
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![The 84th legislative session ran from Jan. 13 through Jun. 1. State lawmakers enhanced gun rights, allowed epilepsy patients to use medicinal cannabis oil and outlawed local bans on fracking.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Top Texas Republicans meet with Taiwanese leader amid new tensions with China
Top Texas Republicans met Sunday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen amid new tensions with China over the U.S. relationship with Taiwan, a country the United States hasn't officially recognized since 1979. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.]()
Credit: Gov. Abbott's Flickr account