Judge says Texas officials need to speed up foster care reforms
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack says she will give state officials until May to make progress on her orders to overhaul the state's foster care system, or face hefty fines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c095b9dfcf9b40a5ee2c10e4cd40e3ae/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%20TT%2017.jpg)
-
![The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offices in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott has set his legislative agenda. These lawmakers could influence how much is accomplished.
There are a total of 181 legislators in the Capitol, but the influence is not evenly distributed. Due to the lawmakers’ positions, ideology and tenure, some will have a much bigger say on the biggest issues this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a689f0ac2f89852303d477218e5def01/House%20Floor%20Opening%20Day%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Legislators greet each other on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to the opening of the 2021 Legislative Session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Half of Texas' nurses experience workplace violence. A Texas lawmaker says it’s time to protect them.
Now praised as heroes of the pandemic, nurses and other front-line medical workers have been routinely scratched, bitten or verbally abused by patients. Well over half of Texas' nurses reported being subject to workplace violence in their career, according to a 2016 state study. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/863315dc0fb4da7bac5a3b6c2e28513b/Steven%20Powell%20ST%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Steven D. Powell is a nurse with the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Feb. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas tries to make the connections on broadband internet
Texans stuck at home need high-speed internet for schooling, for work, for shopping, for medicine, for entertainment — the live, in-person activities we all took for granted a year ago. Sounds simple enough, but there’s a lot to untangle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a1811b4edad6305e365876dc682d6b24/Rackspace%20JW%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Rows of racks holding servers make up a test lab in San Antonio. Jan. 7, 2012.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Congressional Democrats urge Gov. Greg Abbott to let Planned Parenthood stay on Medicaid
Their plea comes just days after a state district judge temporarily stopped the state from excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid, a government health insurance program for the poor. A hearing is scheduled for later this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bba6c3b4e6996d78e0dc3e671f2c0d48/Planned%20Parenthood%20EG%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Information and diagrams inside a medical room at a Planned Parenthood in south Austin on Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: 2021’s low-key Texas government
The slow start to the legislative session reflects the public declarations of goals from House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: There aren't any. Gov. Greg Abbott put his priorities in a State of the State address this week, but legislative leaders have been relatively quiet. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc5f100b96b207f7a0fc2927e8a1a253/House%20Floor%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
![The Texas House of Representatives chamber on Nov. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
After El Paso massacre, Gov. Greg Abbott signaled openness to gun control. Now, some worry he's moved on.
The absence of any mention of the mass shootings rankled gun control advocates and state lawmakers from El Paso, who see this legislative session as their best chance to advance the very measures Abbott expressed support for in 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a1f14df1e3788752e39586cf6047c2a6/Guns%20Rifles%20McBrides%20CR%20TT.jpg)
![Rifles on display at McBride's Gun Inc. in Austin.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Four years in, the Freedom Caucus finds a less contentious role in the Texas House
The group of hardline conservatives made waves in 2017 by sparring with House leadership and fellow Republicans. Now members say relationships with the broader chamber have improved. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73ab4e724cc2d48635022287d49ba03a/Texas%20State%20Capitol%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers reformed key sexual assault laws in 2019. Advocates hope the progress continues this session despite the pandemic.
Lawmakers and advocates are pushing for statutory changes and budget allocations to combat sexual assault in Texas. These include expanding the definition of sexual assault and processing a backlog of rape kits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f33f037e2eb1c56a2049fba5ab091f77/Capitol%20File%20AI%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The State Capitol on Nov. 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Texas prisons have doled out thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses — but none have gone to prisoners, who get the virus at high rates
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has been allocated nearly 9,000 doses. The agency vaccinated prison health care workers, then correctional staff in infected areas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b42c11f7bb14acad8e2c469d036cd8c/Beeville%20Prison%20JW%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Texas Department of Criminal Justice William G. McConnell Unit at Chase Field in Beeville.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott’s priorities match what lawmakers are already doing
In his State of the State speech this week, Gov. Greg Abbott laid out his top priorities, and his chances of success might be pretty decent: They match up with the issues Texas legislators were already working on. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/619b21c15a02b2e92b261fdc50742523/State%20of%20the%20State%202021%20BD%20TT%2010.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State speech at Visionary Fiber Technologies outside of Lockhart on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Republican lawmakers push to make Texas’ anti-abortion laws among the most restrictive in the nation
With the GOP in control of state government and “a favorable backstop from the courts, it’s going to be a no-holds-barred approach for Republicans on abortion,” one political science professor said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/be48c75a1760f5724186d21d2ec03458/Texas%20Rally%20For%20Life%202021%20JV%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Protesters demonstrate against abortion at the Texas Rally for Life on Jan. 23, 2021, at the state Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Just when you think campaign season is over, Texas pulls you back in
You thought election season was over? It’s just starting, with a potential race for governor between incumbent Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who says he is considering a challenge. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e050c64e4ec99fe5558b18e46a9b878/Beto%20Abbott%20Split%20TT%2002%20.jpg)
![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Republican Texas lawmakers reviving push to end in-state tuition for undocumented college students
Activists worry that if the bill becomes law, many undocumented students will lose opportunities to further their education. They also say it could hurt the state’s economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cbeb635eede41329e55b3c0d224775bc/TXST%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Students walk through an area known as “The Quad” on the first day of the fall semester at Texas State University in San Marcos on Aug. 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Not every legislative day in Texas is a workday
During the first month of the Texas legislative session, the House and Senate will have met for less than a week, and most lawmakers will have been away from the Capitol for most of that time. It’s an early sign that this pandemic-shadowed session might be limited in scope. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30d4b097ff76fab23a48e17fb52cf643/Senate%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The Senate floor on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: How Texas lawmakers are conducting a session during a pandemic
The 2021 Texas legislative session will be unlike any other, as lawmakers work to get the people’s business done in the midst of a pandemic that shows few signs of slowing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/71666e0b5b75e94b2c0ac94793c946eb/Capitol%20Opening%20Day%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A temporary tent outside the north entrance to the Texas State Capitol offers complimentary rapid COVID-19 testing for all who may enter the building. Testing is not mandatory. Jan 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: At a time like this, who needs another emergency?
Gov. Greg Abbott will give a State of the State speech next week, an occasion where governors can declare “emergency items” for early legislative consideration. It would be hard to top the emergencies already on the agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c2f2ad87adb23bf122a76f72924ac27/05_Abbott_State_of_the_State_MG.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott pushes Legislature to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unsuccessfully pushed for similar federal legislation. Abbott's support comes as Texas intensive care units are filling up with coronavirus patients. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bd34e9ad90b70e173b7599549e5f505d/Austin%20COVID%20Restaurants%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Representative Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million, located in East Austin, on May 1, 2020. This was the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to gradually reopen Texas businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS -
Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden's executive order
To combat food insecurity during the pandemic, the new president is increasing assistance for families receiving help to make up for free and reduced-cost school lunches. He also wants to increase food stamp benefits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9b4e7729dc29a0cfdfc844bdd913f431/COVID%20Highland%20Village%20Elem%20ST%20TT%2060.jpg)
![Third-grade lunch on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: Funding Texas schools during a pandemic
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Sen. Larry Taylor, chair of the Senate Education Committee, about whether it’s possible to fully fund last session's school finance bill, learning loss, broadband access, the STAAR test and more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ee3b23c67609fb74b29eb60f2b7d02d0/TT-PointofOrder-podcast-launch-art.png)
![Article thumbnail]()