The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas lawmakers say that if Congress can't agree on a way to fund the Department of Homeland Security soon, the U.S. will look ridiculous to the world, and the southern border will look tempting to transnational gangs. Full Story
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An Austin lesbian couple obtained a marriage license Thursday morning, but the status of what would be the state's first gay marriage was in flux by the afternoon after the Texas Supreme Court issued a stay. Full Story
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A group of state lawmakers have filed legislation that would allow Tesla to sell its luxury electric cars at as many as 12 stores in Texas, renewing the California-based company’s challenge to a state law protecting franchised auto dealers. Full Story
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At our 2/19 conversation, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, talked about the 2016 presidential race — and whether his brother might be on a Democratic ticket. Full Story
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At our 2/19 conversation, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, commented on the just-decided special election in Senate District 26 and the coming mayor's race in his hometown. Full Story
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Physicians’ groups told Texas budget writers on Thursday that the state’s health insurance program for the poor pays doctors so little that it is endangering the health of the program. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/19 conversation with U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign. Full Story
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On the campaign trail, Republican Greg Abbott argued for expanded gun rights — with certain limits. But now that he's been elected governor, the nuance he initially proposed appears to be gone. Full Story
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At a celebratory press conference Wednesday, Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick hailed a federal judge's ruling to block President Obama's immigration plans, and confidently predicted that Texas will keep winning on appeal. Full Story
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A Denton County judge on Wednesday afternoon dismissed a ruling by the Texas Ethics Commission that Empower Texans President Michael Quinn Sullivan had failed to register as a lobbyist in 2010 and 2011. Full Story
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Saying it will unleash "legal chaos," Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday asked the Texas Supreme Court to block a Travis County probate judge's ruling that the state’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. Full Story
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State Rep. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, is on his way to the Texas Senate, thanks in part to the "gringos y otros pendejos" derided last summer by his opponent and House colleague, Trey Martinez Fischer. Full Story
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Wal-Mart is ginning up a full-bore liquor war and bringing it to the Capitol. Last week it sued the state for the right to sell spirits, and Wednesday it joined Kroger in forming a new nonprofit to promote freedom in the booze marketplace. Full Story
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Our newest political reporter will chase and break quick-turn stories from the Legislature and the 2016 campaign trail. Full Story
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Tesla Motors is ramping up its lobbying efforts to change a Texas law requiring that new cars be sold through franchised dealerships. But some dealers say they'd like a shot at moving a few of the luxury, all-electric cars. Full Story
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State Rep. José Menéndez handily won election to the state Senate after a high-dollar, contentious race against House colleague Trey Martinez Fischer. Full Story
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Four more seats in the Legislature are finally decided, with José Menéndez romping to win San Antonio's Senate seat. Two Republicans and a Democrat are headed for the House. Full Story
Texas immigration attorneys are telling their clients not to panic following a federal court ruling that temporarily halted President Obama’s November executive action. Full Story
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Advocates for ethics reform say Gov. Greg Abbott has a rare chance to help spearhead improved lawmaker disclosures and reduce conflicts of interest. Abbott is expected to address ethics reform Tuesday in his State of the State address. Full Story
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