Senate Panel Advances Sanctuary Cities Bill
A bill banning so-called sanctuary cities in Texas – the common term for local entities that do not enforce immigration laws — advanced out of a Senate subcommittee on Monday. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Perry R-Lubbock answers questions regarding his bill SB #185 which relates to to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration during Senate Subcommittee on border security on March 16th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
GOP Gun Measures Could Backfire With Minorities
Republican lawmakers backing open carry and guns on campus are heading in the wrong direction for many black and Hispanic Texans who would prefer stricter gun laws, polling shows. It's another disconnect with minorities the GOP might regret. Full Story
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![Gun rights supporters participate in an open carry march during South by Southwest led by the Austin chapter of Come and Take It on March 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Erika Rich -
"Bathroom Bills" Pit Transgender Texans Against the GOP
A set of bills from conservative lawmakers would make it illegal for people to use the bathroom other than the one designated for their gender assigned at birth. Members of the transgender community say the legislation specifically targets them and even places a bounty on their heads. Full Story
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![Caomhán Ó Raghallaigh, a transgender advocate, visits with Sarah Byers, left, in the Capitol office of Sen. Kirk Watson, right.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Cruz Won't Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
In a brief statement, the school said it was notified that Sen. Ted Cruz is "regrettably unable to join us" at the May event. No reason was given. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Perry Keeping Texas Donor Network Alive
The Opportunity and Freedom PAC, a group set up by Rick Perry's advisers to support his candidacy, raised more than $1 million this week in Texas, according to two Republicans with knowledge of the fundraising activity. Full Story
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![Former Texas Governor Rick Perry campaigns at a Pizza Ranch in Indianola, Iowa.]()
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Houston, Dallas Would Be Largest Cities to Allow Open Carry
A Tribune analysis of gun laws nationwide shows passing "open carry" legislation would make Texas an outlier among states with large urban populations. Many of the nation's biggest cities are located in states that prohibit it. Full Story
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The Tribune's Local Debt Explorer Gets an Update
Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held by your city, county and school district. The data is collected by the Texas Bond Review Board and reflects each entity’s debt load as of August 2014. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Bernie Sanders
Full video of my 4/2 conversation with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, who is contemplating a run for president in 2016. Full Story
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HD-124 Special Election Sets Record for Low Voter Turnout
Tuesday's special election to replace former state Rep. José Menéndez appears to have set a record low for voter turnout in races of its kind. Full Story
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![A man casts his ballot in a 2014 election.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz Courts Young Voters in Iowa
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this week began his first swing through Iowa as a declared presidential candidate. He started out at a college in Sioux City, hoping to attract young people to his fledgling campaign. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at a Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative conference on Jan. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Will Hurd Rakes in Big Bucks in First Quarter
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd raised over $500,000 in his first quarter in Congress. The figure comes hours after the man Hurd ousted last November, Democrat Pete Gallego, announced he would challenge Hurd to a rematch. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, at a Texas Tribune event on Dec. 18, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cruz Offers to Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has approached Texas A&M International University about speaking at the Laredo college's spring commencement, the A&M System confirmed Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz holding a press conference at the Anzalduas International Bridge in Mission surrounded by a group of local ranchers who said they've been affected by poor border security.]()
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Gallego to Seek Rematch With U.S. Rep. Hurd
As expected, former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, will run for Congress in a rematch against Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio. Hurd ousted Gallego in 2014 by a 2-point margin. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.]()
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Cruz Gets Double Digits in Washington Post/ABC News Poll
In the contest for the Republican nomination, Jeb Bush tops the field with 20 percent of voters who lean Republican, followed by Ted Cruz at 13 percent. Rick Perry is down around 2 percent, the poll found. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz]()
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Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity
One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. Sylvester Turner's legislation would bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice. Full Story
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Ducking Child Support by Becoming a "Contractor"
Often seen as a workers' rights issue, worker misclassification can have a direct impact on the state's child support collections. Some workers want to be classified as contractors to dodge wage garnishment. Full Story
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3 Texas Sites Under Consideration for Presidential Debate
The city of McAllen, Houston Community College and Texas A&M University have applied to host a presidential or vice presidential debate in 2016, organizers announced Wednesday. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University in College Station.]()
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Poll: Cruz in "Top Tier" of GOP White House Hopefuls
A week after becoming the first major candidate to announce he's running for president, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has risen to the "top tier" of Republican White House hopefuls, according to a poll released Wednesday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, left, and wife Heidi, back, outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.]()
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A Closer Look at Local Texting-and-Driving Bans
A bill that would enact a statewide texting-while-driving ban is advancing in the Texas Legislature, and it could affect some local ordinances already in place. Here's a look at which municipalities currently have restrictions. Full Story
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Efforts to Divert Border Security Funding Mostly Fall Flat in Budget Debate
House Democrats tried — and mostly failed — to divert funds allotted for border security and the Texas Department of Public Safety to other departments during Tuesday’s budget debate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, confers with State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, during a point of order called on House Bill 11 on March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich