Analysis: A different way to look at Texans’ differences — by looking at similarities
A new look at Texas attitudes and preferences aims to find a way out of our politically polarized public square. Full Story
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![Crowds march through Austin in celebration of Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers, lobby firm react to allegations that a lobbyist gave date rape drug to Capitol aide
State lawmakers, staffers and other Capitol observers have denounced the alleged incident, with several House members declaring on social media that they were banning from their offices any lobbyist or lobby firm associated with the accusation. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on April 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Dan Huberty arrested for DWI after accident Friday night
Huberty, authorities said, appeared flushed, dazed and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. He smelled strongly of alcohol, slurred his speech and failed his walking and balance tests, according to the police report. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, listens to testimonies on the Texas Education Agency's uses of House Bill 3 and House Bill 22 during a committee hearing on Oct. 28, 2019.]()
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Relatives of Texans killed by police hope Derek Chauvin’s conviction will advance the state’s George Floyd Act
“If this doesn’t push it, we don’t know what will,” says Debbie Bush. She has been fighting for greater accountability for police violence since her nephew was shot in the back by a San Antonio officer seven years ago. Full Story
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![Deborah Bush, the aunt of police shooting victim Marquise Jones, spoke at a rally to support the Texas George Floyd Act outside of the Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Charlie L. Harper III for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House votes down budget amendment aimed at giving health coverage to more uninsured Texans
The Texas Legislature has declined to pass any broad expansion of state and federal health care coverage for uninsured Texans since the Affordable Care Act of 2010 required states to expand Medicaid — a provision later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Full Story
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![Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., saw a patient at the Kelsey-Seybold clinic in Sugar Land on Sept. 22, 2011.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
College athletes could be paid for their name and likeness under bill approved by Texas Senate
Some senators opposed compensation within college athletics, but ultimately supported the legislation to maintain Texas' competitiveness in recruiting efforts as dozens of states consider similar measures. Full Story
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![UTEP’s Josh Caldwell led the Miners onto the field to face UTSA at Sun Bowl Stadium in 2019.]()
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House votes to ban school vouchers, cap attorney general spending as part of its proposed $246 billion state budget
House members filed nearly 240 proposed tweaks to the massive spending plan and spent hours taking votes on controversial issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to school vouchers. Full Story
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![Speaker Phelan presides over the Texas House of Representatives on Thursday, April 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas lawmakers are working on an incomplete budget
The Texas Legislature is working on a budget that spends around $250 billion. But it doesn't include billions in federal COVID-19 relief money or account for big changes that could rock the state's Medicaid programs. Full Story
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![Lawmakers on the House floor on March 30, 2021. The Texas Legislature lacks diversity as 73% of lawmakers in both chambers are male, compared to 50% of Texas residents.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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 and her 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
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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 George Floyd, at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 20, 2021.]()
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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 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, including parents of trans-children, speaking against SB 1646, which would bring possible charges against parents for helping their children with their gender identities.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores 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 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 bills 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 water outages across the state. Feb 17, 2021.]()
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.]()
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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 1969 Stonewall riots. These riots signify a key moment in the birth of the modern LGBT movement in America. June 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price 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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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 -
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
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