Medicaid expansion picks up bipartisan support in the Texas House, but hurdles remain
Expanding the Medicaid rolls to include more than a million Texans could get a floor vote during House budget hearings on Thursday. Full Story
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![Trish W. and her son 12-year-old son look out into the sunset at Canyon Lake on April 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Texas’ small-business owners balance service and safety after end of mask mandate
Three Austin business owners describe how the end of the state's mask mandate affected them and how they have navigated the crossroads of service and safety. Full Story
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas officials and activists say murder conviction for George Floyd’s death “is only one step” in reforming policing
Before moving to Minneapolis, Floyd had been a longtime Houston resident. That city's mayor on Tuesday said he and the Houston Police Department would be announcing police reforms next week. Full Story
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![People react after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, found guilty of the death of…]()
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As Islamic holidays near, Texas Muslims back bill creating a more inclusive calendar for government employees
Texas Muslims view a recently introduced bill offering government employees days off for Islamic holidays as a step toward inclusivity. Full Story
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![Zohaib Qadri poses for a portrait at the Texas Capitol on April 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature considering bill to make it harder to get public information about government employees
Senate Bill 16, filed by State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, would require an individual’s written consent for a state agency to share their personal information. Full Story
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![The Senate floor on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers advance bills blocking access to gender-affirming health care despite opposition from LGBTQ Texans, medical associations
Equality Texas CEO Ricardo Martinez said Texas has filed more anti-LGBTQ bills this session than any other state legislature. Full Story
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![People hold up signs at an event held by Equality Texas at the Capitol on April 14, 2021. The group had several speakers inc…]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House targets power grid flaw that cut electricity to natural gas facilities and worsened February blackouts
The lower chamber gave initial approval Monday to a series of bill responding to this year’s catastrophic power outages during a deadly winter storm. Full Story
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![A mobile home park is covered with snow as a massive winter storm continues to engulf Texas, causing widespread power and w…]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Overhaul to Texas state employee pension plan unveiled and quickly advanced by state Senate committee
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new employees eligible for the Texas Employees Retirement System in a cash balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — instead of the traditional, defined benefit pension plan. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas business leaders say Legislature’s anti-LGBTQ bills could hurt the state’s economy
Texas Competes, which is made up of more than 1,450 Texas employers, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and industry associations, is advocating the “economic case for equality.” Full Story
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![Activists and members of Austin's LGBTQ community gather on the steps of the capitol to celebrate the anniversary of the 196…]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans are vowing to defy any new federal gun rules. Experts say it's largely a symbolic gesture.
The push to steel Texas against new federal rules comes as gun violence nationwide — including a recent shooting in Bryan — has sparked Democrats to call for an assault weapons ban and stronger background checks, among other changes. Full Story
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![McBride's Gun Inc. in Austin on March 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Despite natural gas failures during winter storm, Texas lawmakers target renewable energy in the aftermath
As lawmakers advance bills targeting renewable energy sources, experts call the efforts “discriminatory” and “politically motivated.” Full Story
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![Wind turbines operated at sunrise in the Permian Basin, an area of oil and natural gas production, in Big Spring in 2019.]()
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Analysis: The Texas Legislature starts its biennial race against the clock
Lawmakers have only six weeks left on their calendar, and most of the big things they set out to do aren’t finished. A session that started very quietly will end with a sprint. Full Story
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![Maskless lawmakers speak to one another on the Senate floor prior to the session beginning on March 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Family fights anti-trans bills at Texas Capitol: “I will walk through fire to see my child be happy”
Lisa Stanton and her daughter, Maya, say the slate of anti-trans bills at the Legislature could force them to move out of state. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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![Lisa Stanton, with her daughter Maya, spoke at an event held by Equality Texas at the Capitol on April 14, 2021. The group h…]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Feds rescind health care funding agreement that would have paid for care for uninsured, poor Texans after 2022
The Washington Post, citing two federal health officials, said the decision was a bid to push Texas toward expanding Medicaid. Full Story
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![Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., Chairman, Board of Directors at Kelsey-Seybold, who still sees patients two days a week, vi…]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers consider limiting tenure after UT-Austin professor sued students over accusations of promoting pedophilia
One of the students sued by the teacher is the daughter of Allen Blakemore, a prominent conservative political consultant who has worked for state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who filed the tenure bill. Full Story
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![The Texas flag flies on the south lawn of The Univerisity of Texas at Austin campus on Dec. 3, 2019.]()
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Texas energy companies push back against Berkshire Hathaway’s $8 billion plan for backup power
Revenue for 10 emergency power plants would come from a monthly charge on Texans’ power bills. The proposal is just one of several bills lawmakers are considering after February's massive power outages. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol grounds are covered in snow on Feb. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House approves bill that would allow people to carry a handgun without a license
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Texans under current state law must generally be licensed to carry handguns, either openly or concealed. Full Story
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![Handguns at a Jesse James Firearms Unlimited launch party in Austin.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
STAAR testing adds pressure to final weeks as frantic Texas school year nears end
In an academic year scrambled by the pandemic and a deadly winter storm, Texas school students face makeup work and rounds of standardized testing. Many parents and teachers say it's unnecessary. Full Story
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![A student lays his head down during the class lesson at the after school intervention program on April 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bail bill that would keep more people in jail if they can’t post cash bonds
Senate Bill 21 would require cash bail for people who have ever been convicted of a violent crime. Full Story
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![Kwik Out Bail Bonds on 18th St. and Nueces in Austin on May 8, 2019.]()
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The Texas Senate has approved a new statewide appeals court. Critics contend it's another attempt to limit Democrats' power.
The proposed court would handle some of the state's most high-profile appeals, which are typically handled by the mostly Democrat 3rd Court of Appeals based in Austin. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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